SEMA PREVIEW: STUD or DUD - Is Toyota's All-New Avalon Evoking European Vibes?
The all-new Toyota Avalon was seen for the very first time at the 2012 New York Auto Show and when I saw it, I was shocked. It had an Audi A7-like roofline and some interesting details throughout its exterior design that made me say something I thought I'd never say:
"Man, that Avalon has some
style."
And now that the SEMA show is here, guess who's coming around with some teaser shots of it's all-new package? That would be Toyota, my friends.
That said, take a look at let us know what you think of the all-new Avalon.
Is it a STUD or a DUD?Toyota's press release follows:
New Toyota Avalons Built for SEMA Take Divergent Paths Toward Similar Goals
Gasoline and Hybrid Versions Illustrate Performance Potential of Dynamic New Design
TORRANCE, Calif., Oct. 25, 2012 - Toyota's recently introduced 2013 Avalon is set to enter the market this fall with a radically new design that moves the styling needle distinctly toward passion and excitement. To demonstrate the possibilities of the new premium mid-size sedan, the company created two new concepts that are scheduled to bow on Oct. 30 at the SEMA Show in Las Vegas.
"The new Avalon is an attractive target for performance enhancement," said Toyota Engagement Marketing and Motorsports National Manager Keith Dahl. "Tuners always want to get their hands on a great new design with strong enthusiast appeal."
2013 Avalon TRD Edition
With performance firmly in their wheelhouse, Toyota Racing Development (TRD) created a concept that builds on the strength of the new car's inherently sporty styling and dynamics by taking each a couple of steps further without losing the "sweet spot."
Using the 3.5-liter V6 gasoline-powered Avalon, TRD added one of its signature supercharger systems to bump engine power and torque substantially while maintaining smooth driveability. The cleanly integrated design also fits neatly in the Avalon engine bay.
Handling is enhanced with a spring/shock package that lowers the car about one inch to improve body control and steering response. Stiffer rear subframe bushings and modified steering characteristics also enhance control while increasing road feel. Sticky Michelin Pilot Super Sport tires on custom 19-inch wheels complete the handling picture. Braking power is substantially upgraded with a TRD Big Brake kit sporting six-piston front and four-piston rear calipers on large cross-drilled spiral-vane rotors.
Exterior changes build on the Avalon's already sporty nature with two-tone custom paint, a color-keyed grille and tinted taillights with clear lenses. Dual exhaust with polished mufflers and custom tips finish the look.
The TRD Edition Avalon also gets a major interior upgrade with gradient-design perforated leather seating plus red accent piping and stitching. Custom instrument and door panels are also leather covered, again with red stitching. And to make sure the music is as memorable as the driving, TRD installed a thumping JBL GreenEdgeTM surround-sound audio system with 15 speakers and two trunk-mounted 500W amplifiers.
TRD EDITION SPECIFICATIONS
Engine
-TRD supercharger incorporating Eaton Gen 6 TVS rotor assembly
Drivetrain
-Six-speed automatic transmission
Suspension and Brakes
-Cold-rolled steel coil springs that lower vehicle approximately one inch front and rear
-KYB gas-pressured mono-tube shocks with custom valving
-Stiffer rear subframe bushings
-Modified steering assist, damping and hysteresis characteristics
-Brake calipers: Front six-piston; rear four-piston with patented bolt-in bridges
-Brake rotors: Front 380 X 32 mm; rear 345 X 28 mm cross-drilled with patented spiral-vane design
Exterior
-19-inch custom wheel design with three-stage paint
-225/40R19 Michelin Pilot Super Sport tires
-Two-tone custom paint scheme
-Tinted taillights with clear inner and outer lenses
-Custom color-keyed grille
-Dual exhaust with high-polished mufflers and custom tips
Interior
-Graduated perforated leather with red piping and stitching
-Black technical knit headliner
-Custom door panels and instrument panel with black leather and red accent stitching
-JBL GreenEdgeTM surround sound system with 15 speakers
-Two trunk-mounted JBL 500W GTI D-class amplifiers
2013 SEMA Avalon HV Edition
The Avalon HV Edition is based on the all-new Avalon Hybrid which shares the same essential body and chassis design with its V6-powered sibling. And like the TRD Edition, the HV highlights the potential of the new car, but with a noticeable nod to hybrid efficiency in its presentation.
Bright white primary and electric blue accent colors outside speak to ambitions for a cleaner environment. The theme extends to exterior details such as hybrid-blue headlights, tail- lights and turn signals, plus a color-keyed custom grille.
The bright white and blue theme also enhances the Avalon's already contemporary interior design with blue-silver metallic leather and white perforated leather seat inserts, as well as crisp blue stitching and dashboard accents. Multi-color hybrid instrument panel and rear console interior lights are also featured. And a 15-speaker JBL GreenEdgeTM surround-sound audio system cranks up the music volume and quality.
Not to be outdone by its SEMA sibling, the HV gets a similar suspension, brake and tire package to ensure responsive handling and firmer body control. Wheels are also the 19-inch variety but with a unique design.
Starting Oct. 30, both of these new and unique Avalons can be seen along with seven other custom-built Toyota vehicles in the Toyota display booth (#24801) located in Central Hall at the 2012 SEMA Show.
HV EDITION SPECIFICATIONS
Engine and Drivetrain
-Toyota Hybrid Synergy Drive
Suspension and Brakes
-Cold-rolled steel coil springs that lower vehicle approximately one inch front and rear
-KYB gas-pressured mono-tube shocks with custom valving
-Stiffer rear subframe bushings
-Modified steering assist, damping and hysteresis characteristics
-Brake calipers: Front six-piston; rear four-piston with patented bolt-in bridges
-Brake rotors: Front 380 X 32 mm; rear 345 X 28 mm cross-drilled with patented spiral-vane design
Exterior
-19-inch custom wheel design with three-stage paint
-225/40R19 Michelin Pilot Super Sport tires
-Hybrid blue taillights with clear inner and outer lenses
-Hybrid blue front turn signal and headlight assemblies
-Custom color-keyed grille
-Dark chrome ring badge with custom blue hybrid accent
Interior
-Blue silver metallic leather with white perforated leather seat inserts
-White technical knit headliner
-Custom door panels and instrument panel with embossed white leather and blue accent stitching
-JBL GreenEdgeTM surround sound system with 15 speakers
-Hybrid instrument panel and rear console interior lights (multi-color)
DUB Magazine Builds an Avalon with Attitude for the SEMA Show
Urban Lifestyle Mag Brings Signature Look to Toyota's Newest Ride
TORRANCE, Calif., Oct. 25, 2012 - DUB Magazine, a name synonymous with incredible wheels on cool custom cars with inner-city influence, has rendered its urban touch to the newest car in the Toyota lineup: the 2013 Avalon. In creating its latest ride, DUB has taken the new Avalon where few, if any, have gone before. The magazine's unique take on the Avalon makes its debut on Oct. 30 at the Toyota booth in the 2012 SEMA Show.
"DUB has proven here that the new Avalon makes a sharp urban ride," noted Toyota Engagement Marketing and Motorsports National Manager Keith Dahl. "Their modifications give it an aggressive, yet classy look that might have been unexpected in the previous generation."
DUB's signature look begins with big 22-inch TIS wheels with a matte black finish wrapped in ultra-low-profile Pirelli tires. The wheel/tire combo uses every millimeter of space in the wheel wells and combined with a lowered suspension, give the Avalon an audacious stance.
Taking the look a few steps further, DUB deployed a well-integrated custom lower body kit, re-sprayed the exterior in Brilliant Black and de-chromed the body. Tinted windows and
taillights continue the theme and a custom mesh grille notably changes the front view.
The interior gets plenty of attention, too, with liberally applied suede accents on the console, door panels and headliner. The seats receive plush diamond-pattern suede inserts, with DUB logos sewn into the seatbacks. And like the exterior, everything is black inside.
No urban ride would be complete without a pulsing sound system and the DUB Avalon delivers. JBL provides the hardware and DUB's designers used virtually all of the Avalon's generous trunk space to house three massive subwoofers and an impressive array of amplifiers. The clean installation belies the bone-shaking sound that surely awaits.
Starting Oct. 30, the DUB Avalon can be seen along with eight other new and unique custom-built Toyota vehicles at the 2012 SEMA Show. They will be in Central Hall at the Toyota display booth #24801.
SPECIFICATIONS
Engine
-3.5-liter DOHC V6
Drivetrain
-Six-speed automatic
Suspension
-Custom lowered
Interior
-Black leather seats with black ultra-suede inserts with diamond pattern
-Black suede headliner
-JBL sound system
-Custom fiberglass audio installation in trunk with suede and paint accents
Exterior
-22-inch TIS wheels in matte black
-245/30 22 Pirelli tires
-Paint - Custom Brilliant Black
-Exterior plastics color matched
-Custom body kit
-Mesh grille
-Tinted taillights
-Tinted windows
-De-chromed body/trimThe 2012 SEMA Show Gallery and coverage is sponsored by Lexus
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