Toyota TRD Aurion Engine Better Than Expected
June 19, 2007 by Alborz Fallah
Toyota Racing and Development chief engineer Stephen Castles today confirmed the upcoming supercharged Aurion, will perform better than previously expected.
The 3.5-litre dual VVT-i V6 engine which is found in the base model Aurion is supercharged for the TRD range. Although no exact power figures were given, Mr Castles said the TRD Aurion will have at the very least 235kW.
“The total engine performance is definitely one of the key positives of the TRD Aurion package, the TVS unit has performed really well and definitely helped deliver the engine performance we need.” Mr Castles said.
The extra power has also improved the 0-100km/hr times for the TRD Aurion, Mr Castles again would not confirm an exact figure (which leads us to believe the car is still under final stages of development), but said final acceleration times are even better than predicted.
The TRD Aurion will be the only production car in the world using the new Eaton twin-vortices supercharger (TVS). The supercharged is packaged locally by Melbourne-based Harrop Engineering. One of the reasons Toyota has picked the TVS superchargers is due to design, the Eaton-designed unit does not require an intercooler.
Mr Castles said without the quality of the standard Aurion V6 engine, the supercharging process would have been near impossible.
“It was a great benefit to have such a well-designed, sophisticated and well-built engine to work with from the start,” he said.
Toyota expects the TRD Aurion in showrooms by mid August this year.
Print it: 
Its still a Toyota though
Great call bogan.
From what Ive heard, from not totally reliable sources but sources none the less… it will be in the 240s in terms of power and have 400Nm of torque. The power isnt a massive increase buts thats if I remember correctly 80Nm more torque than the standard Aurion which goes to 100 in 7.4secs! On this figure alone I would assume low 6s for the Aurion… BUT there is also the little fact that the supercharger will provide more torque down low (being pulley driven n all), something Im told my the local folk doesnt exist in the Aurion (it does have 80% or so torque down low)… so thats going to really make it quite quick. Only issue is launching, given this same fact early on all that power will have to be harnessed so to speak as there are only two driving wheels not an AWD, but once she gets moving off the line its going to be a very quick car. Not only this, expect an Aurion now with better dynamics and most of all LUXURIES… Im guessing they will integrate alot of features seen in the upper models of the Aurion into the TRD Aurion… making it in the $50k bracket a decent car for the money and not just an induction upgrade like the XR6T is to the XR6 for $5k or so!
well lets hope they do a better job of a supercharger than holden tried with. what was the belt optional extra? the standard falcon 6cyl put out more power than holdens go at it.
hey what do you mean by the XR6T being “JUST” an induction upgrade? its called a turbo charger and does a pretty good job. dont diss it.
I don’t see 235-40kw/400Nm as very impressive. Unlike the 300kw from a Lexus IS-F. Toyota should follow in the footsteps of the brand they created.
QUOTE = hey what do you mean by the XR6T being “JUST” an induction upgrade? its called a turbo charger and does a pretty good job. dont diss it.
A turbo is induction! And $4k is prity expensive really just for it, getting it done aftermarket would be cheaper!!!
QUOTE = I don’t see 235-40kw/400Nm as very impressive. Unlike the 300kw from a Lexus IS-F. Toyota should follow in the footsteps of the brand they created.
How is it not impressive. The XR6T with a bigger engine and a turbo (which produce more power) only has 245kw and a fair whack of torque… the Aurion isnt far behind and may be faster! And logically you dont want the cheaper brand to offer better vehciles then your prestige one!
what level of boost is this motor using ? i am sure its more than the 0.4bar the XR6T has ?
Well no-one knows obviously… but Im sure that power gain isnt just from whacking a supercharger onto it. I would imagine the regular Aurion is in a somewhat passive state of tune to improve fuel consumption, there would be gains to be had here… its also evidenced by the direct injection version of this engine which has 230kw, obviously direction injection has alot to do with it but Im sure its tuned more aggresively as well.
Would have been nice for them to have supercharged the direct injection version and make the TRD Aurion AWD… 270kw+ and 440Nm+… can only dream. Not sure exactly but the direct injection version in the Lexus may be RWD, wander if the supercharger could fit on that….aftermarket!
wow you can find anything on this website, even aurion fanboys..
It seems it’s all about numbers so why not join in.
Power without Torque isn’t impressive. What the XR6T DOES provide is effortless power from the get go as with the 245kw it gives you 480Nm from 2000-4500rpm (or so, you can correct me if I’m wrong). You can talk up the v6 supercharger till the cows come home, but the rear wheel drive XR6T is more likely to deliver.
All vanilla models are essentially passive, and running in detuned state, not only the Aurion. Some more than others. This even applies to the XR6T. A simple flash overwrite of any factory ecu will deliver more power/torque if that’s what you want, but with the turbo I6 I’d hazard a guess you can a lot further than what you will be able to with the trd v6 (plenty of examples in the aftermarket tuning shops of taking the turbo I6 past 300kw, 500Nm+ torque stakes)
Time will tell, but it’s probably not worth getting to worked up about it until after the Toyota marketing team have finished with their spin, and we actually see if it can spin.
Ford isn’t offering the XR6T as their top of the model, they still have the XR8 and FPVs. With Toyota the TRD is all they have and should be positioned much higher than it is (250kw+, 450Nm+ atleast)
QUOTE = Ford isn’t offering the XR6T as their top of the model, they still have the XR8 and FPVs. With Toyota the TRD is all they have and should be positioned much higher than it is (250kw+, 450Nm+ atleast)
And the TRD isnt the top model… its called Lexus! Admittably the TRD Aurion is in another league the XR6T, offering higher levels of luxury with decent performance. Im just comparing engine performance with the XR6T, overall package you cannot deny that the Aurion is better… its more expensive afterall. I think it will not really steal sales from but provide an option to FPVs and HSVs… cheaper, more luxury, slightly worse performance.
QUOTE = Power without Torque isn’t impressive. What the XR6T DOES provide is effortless power from the get go as with the 245kw it gives you 480Nm from 2000-4500rpm (or so, you can correct me if I’m wrong). You can talk up the v6 supercharger till the cows come home, but the rear wheel drive XR6T is more likely to deliver.
Yes but the torque is decent… set to be 400Nm+. Remember the Aurion is also marginally lighter then the XR6T as well… and the Falcon which has roughly the same difference in torque is in fact slightly slower then the Aurion to 100km/h which produces PEAK torque at 4700RPM (Supercharger is going to bring that right down). Expect very low 6s for the TRD Aurion to 100km/h coupled with a features list that will put cars $20k more expensive (ie HSV) to shame. Cant wait to see some TRD Aurions on the road smoking XR6Ts in STYLE… the look on their faces will be priceless.
^Im not talking about Lexus, just like i’m not talking about Cadillac, Saab and Hummer for Holden and Jaguar, Land Rover and Volvo for Ford.
So because it is more expensive it’s better??? The base model Commodore is $36490 and the Aurion is $34990. Does this mean you think the Commodore is better??
Fair point in regards to Lexus, although most people do associate Toyota with Lexus, not so much with your examples.
As for your ‘more expensive comment’… not sure what your talking about exactly. All I know is the Aurion has been Toyota/TRDs effort at getting into the family car market, they are offering great value for money when you compare their price to what they give in terms of features. The TRD Aurion will be no different, they already said its going up against the Liberty GT etc so instantly you can assume its going to have many of the luxury features seen in the Aurion Presara (top model Aurion) along with reasonable performance from its engine (0-100km/h in 6secs isnt to shabby)
Paul,
i think you are getting a bit carried away here.
for one you dream of a 270kw with 440nm????
ford already has 270kw with 550nm. so yeah 440 would kick ass (not) and AWD would put weight above the ford.
i know how turbo works too. you wont get an aftermarket turbo fitted PROPORLY for under $4k. you cant just bolt em on and go you know? the engine has to be tuned for it exhaust changed and a heap of other things just to make it run efficiently, and they will do up the brakes a bit too. also try to make a warranty claim after you take it in
with a bolt on “supercheap” part.
Also “LP” started my next point, what boost would it run? Answer… a hell of a lot more than the falcon has to. once you start boosting engines, the bigger the capacity the less boost you need. the XR6T can easily do 400kw. so once the aurion gets to 240kw how much further could it go?? Answer… not too much more. take a look at the WRX, EVO etc. it costs you an arm and a leg if you even want to go searching for more, because they are near maxed out.
whats the good of Aurion peaking at 4700rpm? what the hell are you doing up there?? its too late by then. as stated earlier falcon delivers it all from 2000rpm so you would want to hope toyota can bring it down a bit. 2000rpm is cruising revs so with the ford you dont have to go looking for it. yet again another characteristic of the larger capacity motor
Lol
QUOTE = i think you are getting a bit carried away here. for one you dream of a 270kw with 440nm????
ford already has 270kw with 550nm. so yeah 440 would kick ass (not) and AWD would put weight above the ford.
I dream of 270kw etc what mate? I said 240kw and 400Nm is what the TRD Aurion is supposedly… Ford does 270kw and 550Nm in a 1800kg barge for more $$$… the Aurion isnt just about power figures n e way, its about the overall package, Im just stating facts, its going to do the 100 in 6s which is more then respectable for a ‘fridge’!
QUOTE = i know how turbo works too. you wont get an aftermarket turbo fitted PROPORLY for under $4k. you cant just bolt em on and go you know? the engine has to be tuned for it exhaust changed and a heap of other things just to make it run efficiently, and they will do up the brakes a bit too. also try to make a warranty claim after you take it in
with a bolt on “supercheap” part.
Yes I do… very well, $4k is a reasonable estimate.
QUOTE = Also “LP” started my next point, what boost would it run? Answer… a hell of a lot more than the falcon has to. once you start boosting engines, the bigger the capacity the less boost you need. the XR6T can easily do 400kw. so once the aurion gets to 240kw how much further could it go?? Answer… not too much more. take a look at the WRX, EVO etc
Come’on mate get your hand off it… how can you tell me the Aurion is running more boost and cant handle anymore boost? For starters the Aurion in power terms is only going up by 40kw compared to the Falcon by 55kw from XR6… so initial comparison wouldnt make you think its running more. Furthermore in relation to be able to run more, the Aurions engine also comes with a direct injection variant with 230kw, so its being supercharged at 240kw is only going 10kw beyond what it was designed to do… while the Falcon is going 55kw over what it was originally intended for! Im not saying any of this is set in stone (as supercharging for example places different strains on the engine then direct injection), but on paper I think your comments are baseless.
QUOTE = whats the good of Aurion peaking at 4700rpm? what the hell are you doing up there?? its too late by then. as stated earlier falcon delivers it all from 2000rpm so you would want to hope toyota can bring it down a bit. 2000rpm is cruising revs so with the ford you dont have to go looking for it. yet again another characteristic of the larger capacity motor
Notice how I put that word ‘peak’ in capitals… peak torque is not everything. It has 80% torque from as low down as the Falcon… and given its lighter this all has the net effect of giving it more then enough torque to pull along effortless at low RPMS. The supercharger is just going to raise this figure so that you get a higher peak torque, over a wider band.
I have absolute confidance that the TRD Aurion will be very fine car indeed. Apart from the extra supercharged power, suspension overhaul and beefed up brakes to considerably enhance it’s performance – it will be a well sorted and refined motor vehicle with a high standard of quality against cars of similar prices expecially agaist the offerings from Holden and Ford. The overall packaging of the TRD Aurion is sure to be competitive while offering the Australian Motoring Industry a great alternative to performance enhanced family vehicles.
HSV’s may have alot of grunt but their quality, reliability and overall performance is very ordinary. The 5.7 V8 was an obsolute dog of a donk that drank oil, slapped pistons and siezed engines. HSV’s are also widely renouned for premature brake failure (what good is that), overheating fluids and punishing tyres.
Allow me to refer back to the January edition of ‘Motor’ and it’s performance car shootout. From 20 competitors HSV fellout at a very dismal 18th with what was described as brake fade after just one lap…. 1 lap, is that it – absolutely pathetic !!
The TRD Aurion may not have the outright grunt but i’m sure it will be far better sorted/refined package with a high standard of quality, packaging and fit-n-finish. This combined with Lexus’s new supercar offerings (IS-F & and hopefully the LF-A) will goe a longway of enhancing Toyota’s already very powerful reputation. The TRD Aurion may not compare directly to HSV’s and FPV’s but the Lexus offerings will kill ‘em.
Very true.
Although I must admit I wouldnt get a HSV becuase they are overpriced and their reliability is something to be desired… nevertheless imo they look very nice. Saw an R8 today and its certainly a great looking car… cant say the same about the rest of the VE range though.
TRD Aurion will be more affordable and Im thinking they will give it a very competitive list of features to not only match those seen in cars $10k more (FPV, HSV etc) but overtake… well Im hoping at least, given that they are targetting the Liberty GT which is a luxury range and they have to make up for only being FWD.
Paul,
for one you might have wanted to check what my first 2 points were in response to before you commented. it is there in black and white what you said.
also you gotta lighten up when someone throws out examples.
for eg. boost required in relation to engine capacity. i was speculating on that theory the aurion would have to run more and throwing wrx’s in to show it a little clearer as to how you max out a little quicker and there fore if you wanted to keep going with it it gets harder and of course quite expensive in comparison.
and one of the reasons you wont get me into an aurion is they dont have the grunt i need. have you seen the towing capacity on them? that is one of their big downsides at the moment. its like 2/3 the capacity that their competitors offer
Dont you lose approx 25 to 30% when you drive the rear wheels so add 25% to 235 kw and you should have a more accurate idea of this cars potential
I am in the market for a $50K something car, frankly I am over Fords and Holdens – they have put on too much lard for my tastes and there is the bogan image -this will be a starter (perfect size, great looks refinement, performance oh and different) I dont do burn outs and I dont drag at the lights but the thought of a quality refined, well equipped supercharged six with great power and a flat torque curve sounds very appealing – it looked very agile on the TRD website video – but these things can deceive. We shall see.
Toyota should make this AWD (with torque control to make it RWD also), otherwise its a stupid waste of time by toyota to try and steal some performance big six market share.
also, the torque steer would be ridiculous
the car is kool.hot car
the trd is a kool car. I wish I had one.wish it was a hybrid
the car is so kool man make more bitch
All that power will come in more handy in a true sports car. It’s got massive speed but at the end of the day, it’s no more than a souped-up Camry, which is obviously not a sports sedan to begin with. It’s still front-drive, for one thing, and although I’d easily pick it over the SS, the brilliant XR6T makes for a very good argument.
I’m supposedly a Toyota fan but sadly, they’re still missing the point. They make TRD versions of a simple family car and a pick-up which you will never see in a racetrack anyway. I know they’re coming up with a new flagship coupe in the future, but if they really want to reflect their motorsports participation on the road based on their claim that they join more races than any other manufacturer, they have to come up with something, maybe fill in the gap between the Corolla and Camry. Yes, I’m thinking of a Mazda 6/Accord Euro fighter. A Corona revival perhaps?
Mr Castles said without the quality of the standard Aurion V6 engine, the supercharging process would have been near impossible.
Got to laugh at this quote!!!! Ha Ha Ha.
Toyota get spin from where ever they can find it.Ha Ha Ha.
If it blows up u will have to fix it Mr Castles!!!!
…and the cv joints!!!ha ha ha.
Mr Castle must be really mesmerised by the quality of the FG turbo!!!!
U would have to be mentally deficit to buy a TRD over a standard FG Turbo!!!
Deficient!!!