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2007 TRD Aurion 3500SL Review

“My CarAdvice colleagues were not overly praiseworthy of the TRD. Too much torque steer, lack of soul, were the main gripes. I disagree. I like the car!”

- by Anthony Crawford

Test Model: TRD Aurion 3500SL (Sports Luxury)

CarAdvice rating:

Options Fitted: Option Pack ($5952), which includes: moonroof, rear personal lamps, satellite navigation, Bluetooth mobile phone compatibility. At $61,500 all items in this pack should be standard kit.

Recommended Retail Price: $61,500 but you can get into the TRD Aurion 3500S (Sports) for $56,990

Where it sits: TRD stands for Toyota Racing Development, so there is no mistaking where this car is positioned in the Toyota line up. It’s aimed squarely at the car enthusiast.

This is not so much another review of the TRD, but rather, why I consider this car better than the overall verdict so far.

Continue reading…

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2007 TRD Aurion SL3500 Road Test

CarAdvice rating:

Recommended Retail Price: 3500S $56,990 - 6sp Auto only | 3500SL $61,500 - 6sp Auto only (model tested).

Options Fitted: Moonroof

- by Alborz Fallah

It was one of those days in Brisbane, the traffic on the centenary highway was backed up all the way to the Jindalee exit, Mogill road wasn’t moving, Coronation drive and Milton road were both blocked, and I was suppose to pick up a car in an hour.

If it was any other car, I would have probably called up and delayed the pickup till the next day, but this wasn’t just another car, it was the all-new TRD Supercharged Aurion and I didn’t want to waste a single moment…

Next Page…

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Toyota today announced the launch of the Aurion Touring Special Edition, adding more ammunition against the Holden Commodore and Ford’s aging Falcon.

The models is based on the entry-level Aurion AT-X, but receives 16-inch wheels, a rear spoiler, leather steering wheel and gear lever.

The Touring also benefits from front and rear parking sonars, a six-disc CD changer, Optitron instruments, a multi-information dashboard display including trip computer and dual zone automatic air-conditioning.

Editor’s note and update:

Since many of you are still missing the update we ran on the story, I thought I’d clear the air on this issue.

One of our readers had informed CarAdvice last week of a crash involving a silver TRD Aurion in Melbourne, this was published alongside the report from Toyota that the TRD Aurion range had been withdrawn from sale.

Although we did not make a link between the two incidents in any way, many of you assumed the crash was the reason behind the withdrawal. This is not so. As previously mentioned, the withdrawal is due to a single engine failure, which did not result in an accident.

What is clear now though, is that the withdrawal from sale of the TRD Aurion is not related to the alleged crash.

The TRD Aurion should hopefully be back on sale before the end of the month.

Alborz.

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Toyota has confirmed the initially reported accident involving the TRD Aurion was not related to the issues currently plaguing the model.Mike Breen from Toyota Public Relations has confirmed that a “sales stop has been placed on the TRD Aurion.”Mr Breen says that “This action has been taken as a result of an engine failure in a Toyota dealer vehicle. “The cause is currently under investigation and is not believed to be linked to the supercharging or power output of the TRD Aurion.

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Sources inside Toyota have this morning suggested that Toyota have indefinitely stopped the sale of the new TRD Aurion due to “issues” - presumably issues stemming from under the bonnet.

CarAdvice is waiting for comment from Toyota to confirm the allegation. Although we didn’t have any issues with both TRD Aurion test vehicles we have driven, Toyota will presumably go to efforts to check dealer and marketing vehicles, along with customer vehicles if requested. In the mean time read our TRD Aurion Review.

2007 TRD Aurion 3500S Road Test

CarAdvice rating:

Recommended Retail Price: 3500S $56,990 - 6sp Auto only, 3500SL $61,500 - 6sp Auto only.

Options Fitted: None fitted.

- by Paul Maric

While you were sleeping, Toyota engineers have developed what can only be described as a potent weapon. Think 3.5-litre V6, producing 204kW, then add a supercharger and boost that power figure to 241kW, the result is what Toyota like to call the TRD Aurion – where TRD stands for “Toyota Race Development.”

From the outside, the new TRD Aurion looks quick and dare I say it - angry. Sitting on dark grey 19” wheels with 30 profile tyres, the red brake calipers give onlookers an idea of what could happen when the loud pedal is pushed to the floor. Head to the rear and a massive set of rectangular exhaust outlets vent the engine’s soundtrack at high-revs.

Open the driver’s door and a stunning interior is displayed for all and sundry to see. Red seats, along with red alcantara trim hint at this vehicle’s race origins. Supportive seats, along with a red-trimmed steering wheel provide reassurance through corners, adding to the thrill of Toyota’s latest performance offering.

Under the bonnet a supercharged 3.5-litre V6 is used to produce 241kW and 400Nm of torque. Power is sent through a 6-speed automatic gearbox and the claimed 0-100 time is 6.1-seconds. The automatic gearbox is dull and lifeless in automatic mode, shifts are devastatingly slow for a “performance car,” making the manual tiptronic style mode the only viable option for enthusiastic driving. Even then, manual shifts are too slow and require lengthy forward thought, as it’s too easy to hit the fuel-cut at the red-line if you don’t shift early enough.

Unfortunately, such a brilliant looking package is let down – quite fundamentally – by some traits that are obvious to even the mildest of drivers. First and foremost is the fact that power is delivered through the front wheels. It’s nigh on impossible to send such a great amount of power through the front wheels without meeting repercussions such as torque steer and understeer.

Torque steer occurs in Front Wheel Drive cars when you jump on the throttle and the steering wheel darts in all directions in an attempt to maintain traction. Through corners, the front end feels light and uncontrolled when applying throttle, causing the traction control to step in and limit loss of traction. The suspension is also far too biased to normal driving, when you push deep into a corner, the car wallows and the size of the vehicle can really be felt.

The brakes on the other hand are phenomenal. The aftermarket stoppers pull the TRD Aurion up in remarkable speed and are resilient to fade – even after a torturous session through the mountains.

The TRD Aurion is available in two grades – 3500S and 3500SL – priced at $56,990 and $61,500 respectively. Standard features include: 19” alloy wheels; unique TRD Aurion body kit; cruise control; central locking; air-conditioning; auto headlights; electric windows; 6-disc CD player; leather seat trim with alcantara and power driver’s seat.

Safety features include: Electronic Stability Control (ESP); ABS brakes; Brake Assist (BA); driver and front passenger airbags; side airbags and curtain airbags.

Toyota has missed the mark with the new TRD Aurion. It’s impossible to drive this car hard without fearing which direction the car will send you in. There is simply far too much power being pushed through the front wheels to make this car viable.

Toyota should have engineered an All Wheel Drive or Rear Wheel Drive package for this engine. Although the car looks stunning both inside and out, it is totally let down by a drive train which is far too difficult to manage. The TRD Aurion only just scraped through with three steering wheels out of five and that was because of the interior and exterior look.

It was only yesterday we reported on glimpses of a second more luxurious TRD Aurion, and now only a day later Toyota have officially unveiled their TRD Aurion line up.

The TRD Aurion range comprises of two model grades - the 3500S (Sports) and 3500SL (Sports Luxury). Both come with a venomous supercharged 3.5L V6 engine producing 241kW and 400Nm at 4000rpm mated to a six-speed automatic transmission with sequential shift.

Power is controversially sent to the front wheels, although surprisingly it is only 0.3 seconds off the XR6T with the sprint from 0-100km/h taking just 6.1 seconds.

The 3500S is strategically priced just below the luxury-car tax threshold with a price tag of $56,990, whilst the higher spec 3500SL will set you back $61,500 placing it above the threshold.

Apart from the engine, both models have TRD unique sports suspension, TRD performance brakes, TRD unique 19-inch alloy wheels with 245/35ZR19 Dunlop Sport Maxx performance tyres, TRD unique engine cover and TRD sports exhaust system with integrated exhaust outlets.

TRD Aurion 3500SL has higher specifications, including dual-zone air conditioning with push-button heater and ventilation controls, six-way power-adjustable front passenger seat, Smart Entry and Push Start, and clearance and reversing sonar. Additional features over 3500S also include plum-coloured full leather seat trim, and colour-keyed (dark grey/plum) TRD leather-bound steering wheel and gearshift knob.

“We are targeting a sophisticated market with a high-quality product that balances performance, handling and technology,” David Buttner, senior executive director sales and marketing.

Later this year Toyota will introduce their second vehicle to their new performance range with the TRD HiLux. Based on a 4WD Double Cab, it will feature a supercharged 4.0-litre V6 engine that will lift power substantially over the standard engine’s 175kW.

Fans will also be pleased to hear a feasibility study is underway on a third model - no prizes if you can guess what it might be.

Expect a full review and road test of the TRD Aurion soon, but for now, check out the cars specifications:

2007 TRD Aurion major specifications
	3500S	3500SL
Type	Petrol
Capacity (cc)	3456
Code/name	2GR-FE
Description	Six cylinders, 60 degree V-formation, chain-driven DOHC with roller rockers, four valves per cylinder, all alloy, cross-flow heads, cast-iron cylinder liners
Bore x stroke (mm)	94.0 x 83.0
Compression ratio	10.8:1
Fuel system	Sequential multi-point electronic port fuel injection with ACIS, hot-wire airflow meter
Fuel type	98 RON PULP
Fuel tank capacity (L)	70
Fuel economy (L/100km)*	10.9
Carbon dioxide (g/km)	257
Emission rating	Euro IV
Max. power	241kW @ 6400rpm
Max. torque	400Nm @ 4000rpm
0-100km/h (sec)	6.09
Driven wheels	Front
Transmission description	Six-speed automatic, electronically controlled with lock-up torque converter and art ificial intelligence shift control
Transmission code	U660E
Transmission control	Electronic
Gear ratios - 1st	3.300:1
2nd	1.900:1
3rd	1.420:1
4th	1.000:1
5th	0.713:1
6th	0.608:1
Reverse	4.148:1
Final drive ratio	3.685:1
Type	Rack and pinion
Operation	Power
Turns lock to lock	3.2
Front brakes	Ventilated discs, 325mm x 32mm
Front calipers	Dual-piston
Rear brakes	Ventilated discs, 310mm x 18mm
Rear calipers	Single piston
ABS anti-skid brakes with Electronic Brakeforce Distribution and Brake Assist	Std.
Traction Control	Std.
Vehicle Stability Control	Std.
Front	TRD unique sports suspension with increased coil spring rates and re-tuned shock absorbers, ball-joint-mounted anti-roll bar
Rear	TRD unique sports suspension with increased coil spring rates and re-tuned shock absorbers incorporating internal rebound springs, ball-joint-mounted anti-roll bar
Rims	19 x 8J alloys
Tyres	245/35ZR19 93Y
Type	Monocoque, four-door sedan
Length (mm)	4890
Width (mm)	1820
Height (mm)	1460
Wheelbase (mm)	2775
Front track (mm)	1572
Rear track (mm)	1562
Ground clearance (mm)	104
Towing capacity with trailer brakes (kg)**	1600
Towing capacity without trailer brakes (kg)**	500
Seating capacity (incl. driver)	5
Luggage capacity (L)	504

Recently I was fortunate enough to spot a TRD Aurion in the wild and catch some snapshots on my phone - again I apologise, I promise I will buy a new phone.

Now as if this wasn’t enough on the same day I spied what appeared to be a luxury TRD Aurion, although no photos as I was driving in the opposite direction at the time.

All common sense points to the fact that these cars were being driven around to get attention - and that they did. Everyone who passed by it in my short paparazzi stint took a long appreciative glance at the supercharged beast parked casually outside the supermarket. While in motion, the TRD Aurion is surprisingly quiet with not so much as a whisper of a supercharger whine.

The presumably luxury TRD Aurion I spotted was identical to a car we have reported on previously and although it was only a fleeting glance as I passed by, it looked every bit as menacing and powerful as you would expect.

George Skentzos

Yesterday GoAuto published an interview with Toyota’s senior executive director of sales and marketing, David Buttner who strongly suggested that a Toyota Camry or Aurion Hybrid are being strongly considered.

Better yet, there is a good chance the Hybrid variant will be built right here in Australia. With Kevin Rudd’s labor promising a $500 million dollar “green fund” to support the production of locally made alternative fuel vehicles (if it wins the next election), Toyota is keen to produce the Hybrids right here in Australia.

“We’ve spoken in the past about the potential of building a hybrid vehicle locally – either a Camry or an Aurion – and we’re still very interested in pursuing that because we believe the momentum is very much there in relation to concerns about the environment and the long-term sustainability of the automotive world if we just rely on straight gasoline-powered engines,” Mr Buttner told GoAuto.

What will a Hybrid Camry/Aurion mean for the Ford Falcon & Holden Commodore? Current GM Holden Boss Denny Mooney recently announced Holden is looking at both Hybrid and Diesel variants for its popular Commodore, meanwhile Ford is looking at Hydrogen for the future.

Read the full interview at GoAuto.

The first few of the as yet unreleased Toyota Aurion TRD’s have already been snapped up by Queensland police taking 11 for highway patrol work. They will accompany a fleet of Aurion Sportivo V6s already in police paint.

The already potent 200kW 3.5L Quad Cam V6 engine has been fitted with a new Eaton twin-vortices supercharger packaged in Melbourne by Harrop Engineering. Final power output has not yet been revealed, however Toyota has commented that the “TRD Aurion is quicker than expected”.

With the fuel efficiency of a V6 and power to worry a V8, the Aurion TRD is favourable among highway patrol applications due to its forgiving front wheel drive arrangement.

The TRD Aurion is confirmed to be released within the next four months, with the TRD Hilux scheduled for a November debut.

“Total engine performance is one of the key positives of the TRD Aurion package,”

TRD Australia chief engineer Stephen Castles says.

“The TVS unit has performed really well and definitely helped deliver the engine performance we need.”

Source

The new Toyota Aurion undergoes crash testing here in Australia.

The Aurion tested is the current model in the Australian market.

It seems that with all the Falcon Orion hype, Toyota is taking any chance it can to push its new TRD Aurion. Hidden in the back of a recent press release is Toyota’s new TRD Aurion.

Click for larger version

Click for larger version

CarAdvice has been advised that the TRD Aurion and TRD Hilux will be available in two trims respectively.

TRD Aurion:
TRD Aurion 3500S
TRD Aurion 3500SL

TRD Hilux:
TRD Hilux 4000S
TRD Hilux 4000SL

It appears that the ‘S’ models (most probably standing for ’supercharged’) will be at the bottom of the TRD range in each model, whilst the ‘SL’ models (presumably ’supercharged luxury’) will feature extra features to appeal to the punters with a bit of extra cash.

The TRD 3500SL will probably feature some of the additional gizmos and gadgets that the current Presara features - such as Xenon HID headlights and satellite navigation.

Initially suspected to go up against the likes of Holden’s performance arm HSV and Ford’s performance arm FPV, Toyota said that it would go up against cars like the Alfa 159, VW R32 Golf, Subaru Liberty GT Spec B and Mazda6 MPS instead, culling any thoughts of an all-wheel-drive road tearer.