Value Boost for upgraded Aurion
May 27, 2015 .
** Sportivo dials up the fun-to-drive factor **
Toyota has boosted the value for money of its Aurion family-car line-up by holding prices while increasing safety, sophistication, style and driver involvement.
A 200kW sports version, with 18-inch wheels for the first time on an Aurion, headlines a raft of changes that deliver higher specifications across Toyota's large-car range.
Distinctive styling updates and new features provide clear differentiation between the award-winning Aurion AT-X, dynamic Sportivo and top-of-the-line Presara.
Standard new features across the range include keyless entry and ignition, Optitron dials, a 4.2-inch full-colour multi-information display, Toyota Link[sup]*[/sup] connected mobility and clearance sonars front and rear.
Luxury Presara introduces the advanced safety of lane departure alert and rear cross-traffic alert, as well as LED headlamps and foglamps.
Aurion Sportivo stands out with its gloss-black five-spoke rims, low-profile tyres, firmer suspension, more involving steering set-up and a redesigned body kit that is stylish yet understated.
Toyota's local engineers conceived, developed and tested the revamped Sportivo in Australia and Japan to meet the demands of local drivers and road conditions.
Their comprehensive under-the-skin revisions included specific tuning for the quad-cam V6 Aurion's front shock absorbers and electric power-steering map.
Prices are unchanged for the AT-X ($36,490)[sup]#[/sup] and Sportivo ($40,990)[sup]#[/sup] while Presara ($50,440)[sup]#[/sup] now reflects the standard inclusion of metallic or pearlescent paint which is a $450 option on the other grades.
Toyota's executive director sales and marketing Tony Cramb said the Aurion updates will be welcomed by family-car buyers wanting a little more style, comfort and fun.
"Aurion Sportivo will attract buyers looking for a family sedan that dials up the fun-to-drive factor with a more engaging drive experience," Mr Cramb said.
"The latest Sportivo along with enhanced features and steady prices across the range will appeal to value-conscious buyers in this segment of the market," he said.
Model features
Every Aurion is fitted with seven airbags, reversing camera, stability and traction control, anti-skid brakes and dual-zone auto air-conditioning.
Aurion AT-X adopts a new sporty mesh grille and smart 10-spoke 16-inch alloy wheels. Its other features include a power-adjustable driver's seat and dual exhaust.
Sportivo picks up further improvements including a smaller-diameter three-spoke leather-accented steering wheel with paddle shifters, rear sunshade, power adjustment for the driver and front-passenger seats, and sporty seat fabrics.
It can also be equipped at extra cost with an optional paint colour ($450), a moonroof ($1950) and a premium package ($2500) with 10-speaker JBL audio system, satellite navigation[sup]+[/sup] and leather-accented seat trim.
Aurion Presara's impressive list of features includes a blind-spot monitor and auto high-beam.
It has new 17-inch 15-spoke alloy wheels, premium 10-speaker JBL audio with satellite navigation[sup]^[/sup], power-adjustable driver and front passenger seats with memory, leather-accented seat trim, body coloured rear lip spoiler and rear sunshade.
Presara buyers can also opt for the 18-inch package, including suspension and steering revisions, for $1,000. The five-spoke rims are painted silver on Presara.
Colour and trim
The Aurion range has the choice of eight exterior colours, including the new Indigo (deep blue).
Inside, Aurion AT-X has fabric seat trim, Sportivo has unique sports fabric trim and Presara has the choice of black or ivory leather-accented trim.
The seat trim has been improved and the accent pattern revised on all three model grades.
The Raizen (reddish-orange) colour in the Sportivo seat has been moved from the insert area to the bolster area, to accentuate the sporty seat design.
Exterior and interior
Exterior upgrades on new Aurion include new alloy wheels, headlamps, grilles and the body kit for Sportivo.
Improvements to AT-X's front face include a black, mesh-type grille and a body-coloured head board.
Uniquely in the Aurion range, Presara gains a new premium grille and dual-pocket LED headlamps to refresh its appearance. It also has LED fog lamps.
Sportivo's new aero kit has a lower chin spoiler and blacked-out fog lamp bezels for a more harmonious design.
At the rear, AT-X replaces the chrome garnish with a body-coloured version.
Presara adds a body-coloured lip spoiler while the new Sportivo aero kit has a more integrated appearance.
Inside, Aurion has a new instrument cluster and audios.
The dual-dial Optitron cluster has been upgraded with a 4.2-inch full-colour thin-film transistor multi-information display (MID) between the dials.
The meter face has an embossed effect, expressing a three-dimensional design with a sense of depth.
Chrome-plated rings surround the dials, which feature blue-and-white illumination to add a touch of luxury.
The MID is separated into four zones with a long menu of information, including average speed and fuel economy.
Audio and climate control
All Aurion models have factory air-conditioning and touch-screen display audio systems. The screen also projects the image from the reversing camera[sup]##[/sup], which provides guidelines to help the driver.
The new centre cluster design features bevelled surfaces at the sides and an inverted U shape, which work together to create a more three-dimensional impression and advanced feel.
The size and layout of each switch has been changed, enhancing operability.
Chrome plating features in the lower parts of the switches to enhance the sense of unity with the audio system. An LCD screen displays the air conditioning details such as temperature and fan speed.
All three Aurion audio head units have CD, Bluetooth (tm) [sup]**[/sup] and Aux/USB port[sup]++[/sup].
AT-X has a six-speaker audio with 6.1-inch screen, upgraded with voice recognition in Sportivo.
Flagship Presara has a 7-inch screen, Matrix 5.1 channel surround system and satellite navigation[sup]^[/sup] with real-time traffic updates.
New differential
Toyota Aurion has a new pre-load differential on all model grades to improve driveability.
It provides enhanced steering feel and greater ease of control under acceleration and deceleration in a wide variety of driving and road conditions.
The pre-load differential makes for smoother take off and improved low-speed manoeuvrability on normal and slippery road surfaces.
High-speed stability is increased, with a more stable feeling when the steering wheel is in the neutral position on a motorway.
On dirt or rough road surfaces the new differential acts to increase straight-line stability.
Safety
The new 2015 Toyota Aurion has increased levels of active and passive safety.
All models have seven SRS airbags, reversing camera and a full suite of electronic active safety technology ‐ ABS with electronic brake-force distribution and brake assist, vehicle stability control and traction control.
Flagship Presara's rear cross-traffic alert (RCTA) and lane departure alert (LDA) employ sensors that are already part of the high-grade Aurion package.
RCTA uses the same radar sensors as the blind-spot monitor (BSM). LDA shares a windscreen-mounted camera with Presara's automatic high beam.
All new Aurion models adopt front clearance-guide sonar for the first time, with sensors now mounted on all four corners of the vehicle.
Rear cross traffic alert (RCTA) [sup]##[/sup]
RCTA is designed to provide added safety and driver convenience when reversing out of a parking space.
It warns the driver of vehicles approaching from the side that may not be visible in either the rear-view camera or door mirrors.
The system operates when Presara is reversing at less than 8km/h and approaching vehicles from the left or right are moving between 8 and 28km/h.
The system provides two warnings: by audible buzzer and by flashing the car-shaped pictograms on both exterior mirrors (the same pictograms used in the BSM system).
Lane departure alert (LDA) [sup]##[/sup]
LDA is designed to help avoid collisions by warning the driver if the vehicle is about to move unintentionally across lanes without using the turn signals.
The system uses a windscreen-mounted camera to monitor the vehicle's position on the road. The camera is also used for Presara's automatic high beam.
The Toyota LDA has been tested and refined in Australia to suit local road markings and can operate on roads with lane markings on one side of the lane only.
If the vehicle deviates from its lane without using the turn signal indicator, LDA cautions the driver by a buzzer and a message on the MID screen.
[sup]*[/sup] Toyota Link is available on certain vehicle models and grades only. Toyota Link services rely on data from the driver's compatible mobile phone and information provided by third parties. Availability is dependent on a number of factors, including the availability of third party information, mobile service, sufficient mobile data allowance and GPS satellite signal reception. Mobile usage is at the user's cost. Toyota Australia reserves the right to add, remove or modify applications. Further information is provided at www.toyota.com.au/toyotalink.
[sup]#[/sup] Manufacturer's list price is provided for media purposes only and does not include statutory charges or other on-road costs.
[sup]^[/sup] Current navigation mapping database encompasses major capital and primary national road networks and offers some coverage in regional areas.
[sup]+[/sup] Current navigation mapping database encompasses major capital and primary national road networks and offers some coverage in regional areas.
[sup]**[/sup] The Bluetooth (tm) word mark is owned by Bluetooth SIG, Inc. Not all devices will be compatible and functionality varies depending on the device.
[sup]++[/sup] Not all devices will be compatible. Functionality varies depending on device.
[sup]##[/sup] Rear cross traffic alert, lane departure alert and reversing camera are driver assist devices only and should not be used as a substitute for safe driving practices. The area into which the vehicle is driven must be visually monitored by the driver.