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By MURRAY
HUBBARD
5 October 2009
Toyota Australia must be very pleased with the sales results of
its Aurion V6. Because, while it has given the complete range a
visual makeover, it has left the mechanical components virtually
untouched.
In a conservative post-GFC world where underbonnet changes are
more the norm these days, with the looks of the car remaining as
before, Toyota has gone in the opposite direction. That's a sign
of real confidence.
Styling changes for 2010 Toyota Aurion range see new radiator
grilles, changes to the lower aperture grilles and revised bumper
lines. The headlamps, and foglight surrounds where applicable have
also been redesigned. At the rear there's a new shape to the
lights and faster-acting LED units are a handy safety feature.
Safety improvements include improved light distribution
performance from Aurion's low-beam headlamps using a
high-intensity discharge (HID) system.
There are new wheel designs across the range. Even the entry-level
Aurion AT-X gets alloy wheels, units done in an interesting
ten-spoke design.
Says David Buttner, Toyota Australia's executive director for
sales and marketing, "The original Aurion face was a simple,
yet bold, double-concave architecture, the facelift design uses
'X-Form' architecture, bracketed by the chrome-framed fog lamps.
The new design increases the feeling of prestige with more
subtlety.”
Toyota has also upgraded Aurion's instruments, audio systems,
lighting and in-cabin storage. Aurion Prodigy gains an
electro-chromatic interior mirror, power rear sunshade and
rain-sensing wipers. Sportivo ZR6 has the added safety and
convenience of heated exterior mirrors and auto-tilt exterior
mirror on reverse.
Aurion's audio systems have been upgraded across the board. All
models now have a Bluetooth hands-free telephone kit and 3.5 mm
auxiliary audio input in the front centre-console box. Most models
have a Bluetooth audio system.
Prodigy and the two Sportivo grades have an audio system with
4.3-inch colour LCD display, reverse camera capability, six-CD
multi-changer, USB/iPod auxiliary audio input, and Bluetooth
telephone hands-free kit with microphone integrated into the facia.
This audio system is optionally available on AT-X grade.
The Aurion Presara's AVN satellite navigation audio has been
refined with an additional two speakers (for a total of eight
including two dual-cone rear speakers) and auxiliary 3.5mm input.
The AVN satellite navigation audio system is optionally available
on Sportivo ZR6.
As before, the Aurion has a 3.5-litre twin-cam V6 engine that
delivers maximum power of 200 kW. All models use an advanced
six-speed automatic transmission with sequential overrides should
the driver want to take control of shifting.
Performance is excellent, with the smooth and refined engine
delivering more power than most owners require. However, it's
always nice to have that little bit extra on standby when you want
to overtake, or cart a heavy load up a steep hill.
Overall refinement is a major feature of the Toyota Aurion and the
car comes with the traditional build quality that has long been
associated with this Japanese company. Aurion is manufactured in
Australia to high standards dictated by Toyota's head office.
The complete Aurion facelifted range, with prices (excluding
dealer and government charges) is:
AT-X: $35,490
Sportivo SX6: $39,990
Prodigy: $40,990
Sportivo ZR6: $42,990
Presara: $49,990
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Marque Publishing Company
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