TOYOTA TO UNVEIL NEW BRAND, NEW VEHICLES

Industry News:

TOYOTA TO UNVEIL NEW BRAND, NEW VEHICLES

Toyota will unveil a new brand, a concept vehicle and four new production models at next month's Melbourne International Motor Show.

Taking centre stage on the Toyota stand will be the new TRD brand and its first two performance-enhanced vehicles - a near-to-production TRD Aurion and a concept TRD HiLux.

Toyota will also display the new Euro-styled Corolla hatch, the sophisticated new Corolla sedan and the next-generation Kluger medium SUV, all to be seen in Australia for the first time.

Toyota Australia's senior executive director sales and marketing David Buttner said Toyota is aiming to consolidate its market leadership with these significant new models to be introduced in 2007.

"The performance-enhanced TRD vehicles, the new Corollas with their European-influenced design and the next-generation Kluger with the added flexibility of 2WD will provide a great boost to our line-up," Mr Buttner said.

"We will also have other surprises when the show opens on 2 March," he said.

Mr Buttner said the advent of TRD is an important development that will increase the desirability of the Toyota brand.

"It is the first time in the world TRD has been established as a separate brand under Toyota," Mr Buttner said.

"We are drawing on Toyota's 50 years of motorsport heritage to engineer and market a range of vehicles under the TRD banner.

"They will add a new dimension to the Toyota brand in Australia."

The TRD Aurion is expected to go on sale during the third quarter of this year.

Based on the Toyota Aurion large car introduced late last year, it features a supercharged 3.5-litre V6 engine with a development target of at least 235kW.

It will come with a six-speed automatic transmission with manual override and locally developed upgraded brakes and suspension.

The TRD Hilux Concept is based on a 4WD Double Cab with luminescent red paintwork embedded with gold flecks.

A production model is expected to go on sale before the end of the year, equipped with a supercharged 4.0-litre V6 engine.

Local engineering development and design have been carried out entirely by Toyota Australia, with final assembly carried out by our supplier Prodrive.

The new Corolla will be a feature of the Toyota stand - with a distinctive, sporty hatch and a sleek and sophisticated sedan.

The stylish and sophisticated Corolla will feature a more powerful 1.8-litre four-cylinder dual VVT-i petrol engine.

New Corolla is longer and wider than the current model, providing even more interior space for passengers and luggage.

Corolla is Australia's most popular small car and last month was the top-selling vehicle in the country - a feat it achieved twice last year.

Toyota is also providing a preview of the next-generation Kluger, fresh from its world debut earlier this month at the Chicago Auto Show.

For the first time, Kluger will be available in 2WD as well as all-wheel drive when it goes on sale during the third quarter of this year.

It will feature the dual VVT-i 3.5-litre V6 engine already seen in the Aurion large car and Tarago V6 people mover.

It is expected to develop around 200kW - the most power of any non-turbo soft medium SUV.

Available with five or seven seats, next-generation Kluger is longer, wider and taller than the current model.

It will offer more space for passengers - especially in the second and third rows.