Toyota Australia, which builds the Camry for some Asia/Pacific and Middle East export markets, has adopted a premium sporty design for its upcoming sporty TRD Aurion (the Australian-built version of the Camry V6) because a ‘plastic fantastic’ image would not appeal to the target market, the company’s head designer said on Friday.
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Toyota Style Australia corporate manager Paul Beranger said research showed potential customers ‘down under’ are more likely to be attracted by a subtle blend of technically enhanced styling cues.
He said the car’s “premium design” would be complemented by the new engineering package developed locally by TRD.
Toyota Australia launched its TRD brand range of locally designed prestige performance vehicles at the Melbourne motor show last March. TRD – for Toyota Racing Development – is the long-established umbrella for the automaker’s motor racing activities around the world.
The Australian unit is launching the TRD-branded supercharged 3.5-litre V6 Aurion and a supercharged four-litre V6 HiLux sports pickup truck.
Both models have extensive performance improvements to their engines, brakes and suspension developed by Toyota Australia while final assembly will be undertaken by Prodrive’s local unit.
Toyota Style Australia – newly formed this year – is responsible for exterior and interior design and the TRD division is in charge of mechanical specifications.
“We didn’t want to build a car that has a lot of plastic bits on it – or simply throw another body kit on it,” Beranger said of the TRD Aurion.
“People who pay for a premium performance car definitely don’t want to be followed by every police car on the road.
“There are a lot of people around who want a sophisticated design. They don’t necessarily want to be seen driving a ‘Batmobile’.
“What we are going to offer is a complete package that will align it more closely to a sophisticated market rather than outright brute performance.
“The challenge is to balance technology, styling and features at a realistic cost. We think we’ve nailed it,” he said.
Beranger said the TRD Aurion has an international design with links to TRD’s motorsport heritage.
“We are targeting a sophisticated market that offers a higher-quality product. We are not in the V8 market.
“If this car were imported from Japan, it would fit naturally into the Toyota family – rather than having some people wrongly try to position it as an almighty V8-killer.”
Beranger noted that Toyota is the only company manufacturing in Australia with a Formula One connection.
F1-linked aspects of the TRD Aurion include the integration of the exhaust, the twin rear wings for improved airflow, front lip spoiler, greater airflow through the radiator and aero panels under the car for better downforce and road-holding.
“Components on the car that affect the airflow are designed with aerodynamics in mind rather than simply bolting additional plastic onto the car,” he said.
Beranger added that the styling of the TRD Aurion would have global appeal.
“That immediately sets us apart from other locally produced cars.”
Toyota Australia plans to launch the TRD Aurion in August.
