19 July 2012
The green house effect
Toyota's Australian built Aurion was introduced in 2006 to rival the likes of Holden's Commodore and Ford’s Falcon for the Oz and NZ markets. These larger six pot sedans were well received in an era where six and eight cylinder gas guzzlers dominated our streets and kept our filling stations abuzz.
Along with our cousins across the ditch, Kiwi buyers flocked to showrooms, ready to lay down their hard earned cash in exchange for something with the biggest engine possible. Those days have long passed and we are now seeing large cars sales figures being dictated by the Middle East, as with rising fuel costs, buyers are now steering clear and large cars are now largely confined to looking pretty behind glass windows.
Toyota's second generation Aurion uses the same 3.5 litre petrol powered V6 engine found in the previous model, along with the six speed automatic transmission which continues to drive the front wheels. The motor delivers a healthy 200kW of power and 336Nm of torque while it siphons out six percent less fuel compared to the previous model, with consumption now claimed to be 9.3L/100km while pushing out 215g/km of CO2 emissions.
The nip and tuck
At a quick glance the Aurion’s features are strikingly similar to the Camry’s, although after a good hard look the differences are clearly noticeable. The front end has been given a larger grille, revised bumpers and headlights, with the tail lights wrapping around nicely into the boot lid area. A raised bonnet adds to a more aggressive look and gives a hint of the creature beneath it, while the rear spoiler on the Sportivo and Touring models add some sportier characteristics.
The interior has been trimmed with black cloth upholstery for the AT-X and Sportivo models, with leather trim for the Touring. A touch of Levi’s looking double stitching is a nice touch on the dashboard. The interior looks similar to the Camry's and brings with it a 6.1 inch touch screen for the audio and reversing camera display, dual zone climate control air-conditioning and Bluetooth.
Some chrome and carbon-fibre looking accents have been added to the dash and centre console area which gives the Aurion its distinctive styling. The electrically operated driver's seat has been given a boost and will reach heights that are likely to make even the smallest of drivers feel wheezy, while the rear seats get a 60/40 split and there’s a comfortable 504 litres of boot space.
The Aurion offers top notch comfort levels, quietness and spaciousness we have come to expect in large sedans. The muscular yet refined engine hauls the vehicle around with ease, never giving a hint of losing its breath even when tackling the steepest hills.
The front suspension retains its MacPherson struts and the rear has a Dual-Link setup, while the Sportivo adds meatier dampers and a set of seventeen inch alloy wheels to the mix for better cornering capabilities.
Fight for supremacy
Safety comes in the form of seven airbags and the Aurion manages a five star ANCAP safety rating. Active safety features include ABS, EBD, BA, Vehicle Stability Control (VSC) and Traction Control (TRC).
Three model grades are on offer, kick starting the range with the AT-X retailing for $49,690, the Sportivo SX6 for $51,790 and the Touring with a sticker price of $52,090.
Toyota’s design studio has made a concerted effort to pretty up the sedan and will be hopeful of reigning supreme over Ford’s Falcon and Holden’s Commodore. While the big guns take on each other in the large vehicle sales volume ring, they will all be only too aware that fuel efficient four pot models are rapidly eating away at their appeal.
Toyota’s Aurion is likely to attract buyers who are in search of comfort with the advantage of plenty of power on tap. For Toyota admirers looking for big car practicality, the brand’s renowned reliability and more grunt than the Camry has to offer, this car should easily please the taste buds.