PLANO, Texas, Nov. 16, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Toyota
is once again bringing its racing pedigree to the road as it
unveils the Camry TRD and Avalon TRD, two sedans with an appetite
for curves and a distinct exhaust note bristling with attitude.
With aero-enhanced styling by Calty, Toyota's U.S. design studio,
and chassis performance fortified by Toyota Racing Development
(TRD), these revved-up Camry and Avalon models are the track-tuned
sedans that enthusiasts have been asking for.
Many Toyota enthusiasts already know the equity behind the TRD
badge seen on the brand's hardcore, off-road-ready pickups and
SUVs. Conquering the Baja,
however, is just one of many feats won by TRD vehicles across the
motorsports spectrum. Now, TRD brings its track tuning to sedans
that blend greater agility, precision and body control with
attention-grabbing design and everyday drivability.
When Toyota introduced the new-generation 2018 Camry, sales of
the sporty SE and XSE versions spiked. A year later, Toyota
introduced the all-new 2019 Avalon, which came in an available XSE
grade for the first time ever. These sedans are stylish and fun to
drive. And Toyota is pushing the limit even further with Camry TRD
and Avalon TRD, both with greater track-inspired handling
performance and styling. These models include all standard content
from the Camry SE grade and Avalon XSE grade, combined with
exclusive TRD chassis enhancements and tuning.
Camry TRD and Avalon TRD will both be model year 2020 and
available in fall 2019.
Roaring to Go
The new Camry TRD and Avalon TRD embody TRD's holistic approach
to vehicle enhancement. Notably, both are powered by Toyota's
renowned 301 horsepower DOHC 3.5-liter V6 and 8AT with sport mode
and paddle shifters. The V6 breathes easier with a specially-tuned
cat-back dual exhaust, giving both models a throatier idle and
acceleration sound.
"Track-tuned" means exactly that. TRD engineers developed the
dynamic characteristics through extensive testing at Toyota Arizona
Proving Ground, TMC Higashi-Fuij Proving Ground (Japan), and MotorSport Ranch (Texas).
Thicker underbody braces increase torsional rigidity and unique
coil springs lower both vehicles by 0.6 inches for a reduced center
of gravity. Specially tuned shock absorbers and 19 x 8.5 inch matte
black alloy wheels complete a suspension package that improves body
control, handling agility, and steering precision. The front brakes
are larger with 12.9-inch diameter rotors and dual-piston calipers
compared to 12.0-inch rotors and single piston calipers found on
XSE grades. Brake performance was also tuned to provide more direct
feedback, matching the sporty dynamics of the vehicle.
Calty gave both models striking aero elements, taking advantage
of the edgier designs of the new-generation Camry and Avalon and
aggressive stance of the TRD-modified chassis. The aerodynamic body
kit, which includes the front splitter, side aero skirts, trunk lid
spoiler, and rear diffuser, blends a bold styling element and
improves high speed vehicle stability to aid in driver
confidence. Add that with the red pinstriping, red painted
brake calipers, and red TRD badging and both sedans have a
road-hungry look.
These TRD sedans will continue to deliver all the quality,
dependability, and reliability that is synonymous with Toyota. Both
models will come standard with Toyota Safety Sense-P, a suite of
advanced driver-assist technologies, among these Pre-Collision
Braking.
Camry TRD
Toyota's commitment to enthusiast drivers is apparent in the
level of detail that TRD and Calty poured into these models.
On Camry TRD, the matte-black 19 x 8.5-inch alloy wheels are a
half-inch wider, yet 3.1 pounds lighter (each) than the 19 x
8.0-inch alloy wheels on the XSE grade. Paired with standard
Bridgestone Potenza 235/40R19 summer tires, this combination
reduces unsprung mass, increases lateral grip, and quickens turn-in
response.
Camry's chassis is further enhanced with stiffer coil springs
and front/rear sway bars for increased roll stiffness of 44% in the
front and 67% in the rear. To compliment spring changes, a unique
set of TRD shock absorbers were developed to control vehicle
vertical and roll movement while maintaining on-road TRD ride
quality.
In addition to the TRD aero body features, Camry TRD wears a
unique gloss black front grille with sport mesh insert and black
exterior badging. Available colors include the appropriately
dramatic Supersonic Red, Windchill Pearl, Celestial Silver Metallic
-- all three of which are two-toned -- and Midnight Black Metallic.
Polished stainless steel TRD exhaust tips on the catback exhaust
complete the exterior makeover.
Inside, the Camry TRD driver will be seeing red – in the trim,
that is. The cabin is decked out with Black Sport
SofTex®-trimmed front seats with fabric inserts, red
accents and red-stitched TRD embroidered headrests. The
leather-wrapped steering wheel also has red stitching, and even the
seatbelts are red. A shift knob with an embossed TRD logo, along
with unique TRD floor and trunk mats, and a TRD MID visual start up
complete the cabin upgrades.
Avalon TRD
TRD's modifications work the same magic on the Avalon as they do
on the Camry. Avalon TRD gets Black Sport SofTex-trimmed heated
front seats with Ultra-suede inserts and red accents. It also gets
red-stitched TRD embroidered headrests, a leather-wrapped steering
wheel with red stitching, red seatbelts, a shift knob with an
embossed TRD logo, and unique TRD floor and trunk mats.
The matte-black 19 x 8.5-inch alloy wheels reduce 18 pounds of
unsprung mass compared to the 19-inch wheels on the 2019 Avalon
XSE. As on Camry TRD, the unbridled tone of the 301-hp V6 bellows
through stainless steel TRD exhaust tips. The red pinstriping on
the aero body elements, and the red seatbelts and accents complete
Avalon TRD's styling.
Avalon TRD will be available in Supersonic Red, Windchill Pearl,
Celestial Silver Metallic and Midnight Black Metallic.
About Toyota
Toyota (NYSE:TM) has been a part of the
cultural fabric in the U.S. and North
America for 60 years, and is committed to advancing
sustainable, next-generation mobility through our Toyota and Lexus
brands. During that time, Toyota has created a tremendous
value chain as our teams have contributed to world-class design,
engineering, and assembly of more than 36 million cars and trucks
in North America, where we operate
14 manufacturing plants (10 in the U.S.) and directly employ more
than 47,000 people (more than 37,000 in the U.S.). Our 1,800
North American dealerships (nearly 1,500 in the U.S.) sold more
than 2.7 million cars and trucks (2.4 million in the U.S.) in 2017
– and about 87 percent of all Toyota vehicles sold over the past 15
years are still on the road today.
Through the Start Your Impossible campaign, Toyota highlights
the way it partners with community, civic, academic and
governmental organizations to address our society's most pressing
mobility challenges. We believe that when people are free to move,
anything is possible. For more information about Toyota,
visit www.toyotanewsroom.com.
Media Contact:
Zachary Reed
469-292-3499
zachary.reed@toyota.com
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SOURCE Toyota Motor North America