Toyota: Avalon News
08-24-2004, 08:17 PM
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Originally Posted by gavriil
Spy Shots: ‘05 Toyota Avalon - - Upgrades in size and style for Toyota’s biggest sedan - - by Hans Lehmann/Hidden Image - - Source: The Car Connection
The current Toyota Avalon is often noted to have the quiet ride and interior comfort of Lexus sedans, but at a Toyota price. Despite that, the Avalon sells in relatively small numbers, possibly because the Toyota Camry is so much cheaper than the Avalon, or possibly because the Avalon has somewhat dated, squared-off styling. Word from insiders in Japan, however, reports that the next generation Avalon will have much more modern styling, with a long, rounded roofline sweeping into a high tail. The windshield slopes down to a fairly short, curving hood, and tall, narrow headlights sweep up the front fenders. The overall result is a thoroughly new, modern look for Toyota's flagship sedan.
Along with the new styling comes an upgrade to the latest Camry platform, since the current Avalon is now built on the last-generation Camry platform. The new Avalon will be stretched in length for extra interior room. Rear-seat legroom is said to be equal to or more than the big Lexus LS430. The engine will also be upgraded to a new 3.5-liter V-6 producing 270 hp.
This artist's sketch gives an idea of what this new, longer Avalon will look like when it is introduced for the 2005 model year.
The current Toyota Avalon is often noted to have the quiet ride and interior comfort of Lexus sedans, but at a Toyota price. Despite that, the Avalon sells in relatively small numbers, possibly because the Toyota Camry is so much cheaper than the Avalon, or possibly because the Avalon has somewhat dated, squared-off styling. Word from insiders in Japan, however, reports that the next generation Avalon will have much more modern styling, with a long, rounded roofline sweeping into a high tail. The windshield slopes down to a fairly short, curving hood, and tall, narrow headlights sweep up the front fenders. The overall result is a thoroughly new, modern look for Toyota's flagship sedan.
Along with the new styling comes an upgrade to the latest Camry platform, since the current Avalon is now built on the last-generation Camry platform. The new Avalon will be stretched in length for extra interior room. Rear-seat legroom is said to be equal to or more than the big Lexus LS430. The engine will also be upgraded to a new 3.5-liter V-6 producing 270 hp.
This artist's sketch gives an idea of what this new, longer Avalon will look like when it is introduced for the 2005 model year.
That is one of the ugliest cars i've ever seen......it looks like a stretched focus
08-25-2004, 08:28 AM
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Originally Posted by 03TL-S
That is one of the ugliest cars i've ever seen......it looks like a stretched focus
08-25-2004, 09:08 AM
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Yeah... the pic lex posted definitely looks like it could be the next Avalon. Notice how the headlamps drop down a bit towards the grill, like the Corolla. It's not a look that I like alot, but atleast there will be some family resemblence, which is good.
08-26-2004, 01:53 AM
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Originally Posted by 1SICKLEX
Uhhh, dude, do u read. That is not the car. THe pic I posted is the new Avalon.
oh...now the pic is showing. It doesnt look that bad. It actually looks a little better than the current one. Still, I'd never buy one
08-26-2004, 10:38 AM
#45
fap fap fap
Originally Posted by 03TL-S
oh...now the pic is showing. It doesnt look that bad. It actually looks a little better than the current one. Still, I'd never buy one
its marketed toward people who drive buicks, not 19 yr olds
09-26-2004, 10:30 PM
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Spy Shots: 2006 Toyota Avalon - - A flagship grows in stature. - - by Brenda Priddy - - Source: The Car Connection
Toyota 's flagship, the Avalon, will be redesigned for the 2006 model year. Riding on an extended wheelbase, the Avalon, with its sweeping roofline, will likely be powered by a new 3.5-liter V-6 with nearly 280 horsepower.
Moving up a few notches in the luxury arena, the new Avalon will come close to competing with its Lexus siblings. Rear legroom will be nearly equal to that of the LS 430, and luxury amenities will be upgraded as well.
The Avalon is expected to start down the production line this coming December, with its official introduction expected at the 2005 North American International Auto Show in January.
Toyota 's flagship, the Avalon, will be redesigned for the 2006 model year. Riding on an extended wheelbase, the Avalon, with its sweeping roofline, will likely be powered by a new 3.5-liter V-6 with nearly 280 horsepower.
Moving up a few notches in the luxury arena, the new Avalon will come close to competing with its Lexus siblings. Rear legroom will be nearly equal to that of the LS 430, and luxury amenities will be upgraded as well.
The Avalon is expected to start down the production line this coming December, with its official introduction expected at the 2005 North American International Auto Show in January.
09-26-2004, 10:45 PM
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Originally Posted by 1SICKLEX
I can now believe 3.5 liter V-6. I guess it will be tuned for more power in the IS 350 and GS 350?
I am not sure if we're gonna see a GS350. At this point I am confused about what to expect from Lexus as far as 6 cyl. engines.
09-26-2004, 11:25 PM
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Yeah, that's a big ass car, but that's a good thing. If you look at the current Avalon next to a Camry, they look almost equal in size. I can't help but wonder how much it'll step on Lexus's toes, though. And a 3.5L, 280HP V6? Wow, didn't expect that from Toyota. Good job.
09-27-2004, 04:08 PM
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Originally Posted by heyitsme
I thought lexus anounced the gs would get a 3.0 v6, 245hp. This thing is gonna need some power just to move.
09-28-2004, 10:15 AM
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Next generation Avalon could be the only V6 choice from Toyota - - By BRUCE NEWTON 29 October 2003 - - SOurce: carsales.com.au
TOYOTA Australia is seriously considering a strategy to make the next generation Avalon the only mainstream V6 choice, restricting Camry to four-cylinder power.
Currently Avalon and Camry share the same 3.0-litre V6 engine. Camry is also the dominant player in the medium segment in 2.4-litre four-cylinder form, as well as being a vital export revenue earner.
The strategy is a way Toyota believes it can finally ignite the sales of its under-performing locally-built large car and present true competition to the Holden Commodore and Ford Falcon.
"We haven’t decided that fully, but that’s a direction – a very strong direction – we are pursuing," Toyota Australia senior executive vice-president John Conomos told GoAuto at last week’s Tokyo motor show.
Mr Conomos believes 30,000-40,000 Avalons could be sold per annum domestically post-2006.
That sort of result would make it a true third leg of its local large car strategy alongside Camry and Kluger, which will eventually be built locally.
This year Avalon will sell around 6000 examples. But it is being outsold by V6 Camry and their combined total for 2003 will probably be a couple of thousand units under the 21,280 the 660T Camry managed on its own in 1999.
"There is a risk taking V6 out of Camry," admitted Mr Conomos. "But while it is a very successful four-cylinder car, it frankly didn’t sell well up against the big cars, so accordingly with the new generation cars coming that’s an option we are considering."
TOYOTA Australia is seriously considering a strategy to make the next generation Avalon the only mainstream V6 choice, restricting Camry to four-cylinder power.
Currently Avalon and Camry share the same 3.0-litre V6 engine. Camry is also the dominant player in the medium segment in 2.4-litre four-cylinder form, as well as being a vital export revenue earner.
The strategy is a way Toyota believes it can finally ignite the sales of its under-performing locally-built large car and present true competition to the Holden Commodore and Ford Falcon.
"We haven’t decided that fully, but that’s a direction – a very strong direction – we are pursuing," Toyota Australia senior executive vice-president John Conomos told GoAuto at last week’s Tokyo motor show.
Mr Conomos believes 30,000-40,000 Avalons could be sold per annum domestically post-2006.
That sort of result would make it a true third leg of its local large car strategy alongside Camry and Kluger, which will eventually be built locally.
This year Avalon will sell around 6000 examples. But it is being outsold by V6 Camry and their combined total for 2003 will probably be a couple of thousand units under the 21,280 the 660T Camry managed on its own in 1999.
"There is a risk taking V6 out of Camry," admitted Mr Conomos. "But while it is a very successful four-cylinder car, it frankly didn’t sell well up against the big cars, so accordingly with the new generation cars coming that’s an option we are considering."
09-28-2004, 10:18 AM
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Damnnn... Sick, is this the JDM version of the '05 Avalon? If so, great find. I like the front. Looks like a more aggressive LS. The rear looks like a cross between the new RL and the 745iL's trunk, so it's just so so. Still, it's a good looking car. It would do very well here... the article Gav posted said it would come very close to Lexus levels of luxury, with LS like rear legroom, but damn. If this is the next Avalon, I hope the LS moves in a completely different direction, because this car can easily canabalize Lexus's sales. Since Lexus will debut in Japan, maybe this car and our LS (Celsior) will be very different in appearance. 
09-28-2004, 12:26 PM
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Alright overall. I like the front, but the back is actually pretty ugly. Looks to me like a more angular/refreshed version of a Hyundai XG350.
Sad day when the Japs take their styling cues from the Koreans.
Sad day when the Japs take their styling cues from the Koreans.
09-28-2004, 01:06 PM
#63
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looks like it should be a lexus badged vehicle
09-28-2004, 03:09 PM
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Originally Posted by TSX 'R' US
That's what I was thinking... Looks like it could be the Next LS...
So the next thought is, imagine what the next gen. Lexus vehicles will look like, right?
10-01-2004, 12:03 AM
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Those pictures have nothing to with the Avalon. Thats the Toyota Crown Majesta, a RWD car with a 4.3L V8 which costs north of $50k, essentially Toyota's top model once the Celsior (Lexus LS) disappears into a Lexus in Japan in a yr or two. The fuzzy black and white picture is probably the real thing. If you look closely the camo pics and the fuzzy black and white appear to be the same car. Exterior is supposedly influenced by the European Avensis. As the carconnection article says, it will remain Camry based but this time on a considerably lengthened version. Part of this is a collection of internet rumors, part a description of the next Avalon by a guy who works in Georgetown.
As for Toyota's choice of engines, while there appears to be a clear effort on Toyota's part to differentiate Lexus from the mother brand as they had stated a few months earlier, it will be mostly visual and in terms of driving feel, Lexus will continue to share engines, transmissions and platform parts with RWD top of the line Toyotas in Japan. Lexus will get the Direct Ignition V6 series on all of its RWD cars. The only Toyota to share the DI V6 till now is the Toyota Crown (Royal and Athlete, the Majesta is a V8 only). The Crown also shares the next GS's platform. But in the rest of the world, Lexus's RWD entries gets the DI V6 while the Toyota's get the simpler vvti versions. Camry based Lexi should continue to get the regular Toyota FWD V6s but will be visually differentiated even further than current efforts.
The Avalons supposed 3.5L V6 is a complete mystery. Speculation ranges from a version of Toyotas truck 4.0L to the DI version destined for the IS to being an all-new engine set to replace Toyotas FWD V6's in the next few years.
It is also speculated than Toyota/Lexus is interested in moving people towards its V8 versions of the GS, hence offering a highly refined but smallish displacement V6 - a 3.0L with 245-252HP and a very broad power band thanks to DI. The GS is expected to have 2 V8 versions with the second appearing within 2 yrs of introduction, the second V8 will show up after its introduced as an option on the next LS. The current V8 will also be retuned at the time of the next LS's intro roughly 2 yrs from now. Toyota intends to have a clear severance from Lexus in the eyes of its customers. It wants people to start thinking of Lexus as a seperate brand. The Avalon will have nothing in common with the Lexus GS, not in terms of looks and specially not in terms of driving feel. The Avalon will be a true large car but with a clear Toyota driving feel. The engine choices for Lexus will be determined by the choices available compared to the European competition, BMW/Audi/MB etc. The GS 3.0 will be a sub ~7 second alternate (thanks to an excellent 6AT, and an engine with a much wider powerband compared to the outgoing I6) to the BMW 525/530, Audi A6 3.2, MB E class V6, Cadillac STS V6 with class leading fuel economy. While the RL and M will be faster, they wont be faster by much, as they have one less cog in their transmissions (and will have for at least 2 maybe 3 more years), the difference will be no more than 0.5 seconds, if that, in 0-60. The thing thats far more important is whether or not Lexus will deliver on its recent promise to completely revamp the driving feel of its cars beginning with the GS and continuing even further with the IS. Thats what will make or break Lexus's chances in the middle end of the car business.
As for Toyota's choice of engines, while there appears to be a clear effort on Toyota's part to differentiate Lexus from the mother brand as they had stated a few months earlier, it will be mostly visual and in terms of driving feel, Lexus will continue to share engines, transmissions and platform parts with RWD top of the line Toyotas in Japan. Lexus will get the Direct Ignition V6 series on all of its RWD cars. The only Toyota to share the DI V6 till now is the Toyota Crown (Royal and Athlete, the Majesta is a V8 only). The Crown also shares the next GS's platform. But in the rest of the world, Lexus's RWD entries gets the DI V6 while the Toyota's get the simpler vvti versions. Camry based Lexi should continue to get the regular Toyota FWD V6s but will be visually differentiated even further than current efforts.
The Avalons supposed 3.5L V6 is a complete mystery. Speculation ranges from a version of Toyotas truck 4.0L to the DI version destined for the IS to being an all-new engine set to replace Toyotas FWD V6's in the next few years.
It is also speculated than Toyota/Lexus is interested in moving people towards its V8 versions of the GS, hence offering a highly refined but smallish displacement V6 - a 3.0L with 245-252HP and a very broad power band thanks to DI. The GS is expected to have 2 V8 versions with the second appearing within 2 yrs of introduction, the second V8 will show up after its introduced as an option on the next LS. The current V8 will also be retuned at the time of the next LS's intro roughly 2 yrs from now. Toyota intends to have a clear severance from Lexus in the eyes of its customers. It wants people to start thinking of Lexus as a seperate brand. The Avalon will have nothing in common with the Lexus GS, not in terms of looks and specially not in terms of driving feel. The Avalon will be a true large car but with a clear Toyota driving feel. The engine choices for Lexus will be determined by the choices available compared to the European competition, BMW/Audi/MB etc. The GS 3.0 will be a sub ~7 second alternate (thanks to an excellent 6AT, and an engine with a much wider powerband compared to the outgoing I6) to the BMW 525/530, Audi A6 3.2, MB E class V6, Cadillac STS V6 with class leading fuel economy. While the RL and M will be faster, they wont be faster by much, as they have one less cog in their transmissions (and will have for at least 2 maybe 3 more years), the difference will be no more than 0.5 seconds, if that, in 0-60. The thing thats far more important is whether or not Lexus will deliver on its recent promise to completely revamp the driving feel of its cars beginning with the GS and continuing even further with the IS. Thats what will make or break Lexus's chances in the middle end of the car business.
11-11-2004, 11:27 AM
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Avolon is best selling Buick in America. The problem with sales, camery is too expensive (V-6), should no more than 28k with GPS, and Avalon should not be no more than 34-35K, because, Avlaon is between CAmery V-6 and ES330. Alanon need to find balance in its pricing then they can sell more
11-11-2004, 12:24 PM
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The Mark X isn't bad looking... is that supposed to be a sports sedan? Looking at the five spoke wheels and dual exhuast gives me that impression. Damn, the rear decklid looks alot like the RL.
11-22-2004, 12:48 PM
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New Avalon news
Some more info...
http://carspyshots.proboards2.com/in...isplay&start=0
That interior looks teh sweet.
Junkster, who wants real shots of the interior
http://carspyshots.proboards2.com/in...isplay&start=0
That interior looks teh sweet.
Junkster, who wants real shots of the interior
11-22-2004, 12:52 PM
#75
Go Giants
Nice interior, but no Nav
11-22-2004, 12:57 PM
#77
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Originally Posted by wsklar
Nice interior, but no Nav
Has the temp info on it. I am sure that can also be used for navigation. The camry has nav so don't think it is an issue. Little too much gray plastic (sort of G35 esk). looks ripe for the scratching
11-23-2004, 06:49 AM
#78
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I read in another forum that there'll be 4 trim levels including one even higher priced than the ES.
Biker, who thinks that the Avalon buyer will still be the mainly Buick type crowd that wants an alternative.
Biker, who thinks that the Avalon buyer will still be the mainly Buick type crowd that wants an alternative.
