Toyota Launches Fully Redesigned Premio and Allion

The first-generation Premio and Allion, launched in December 2001, were "five number"¹ sedans that appealed to customers with their styling that evoked class-surpassing quality, roomy interior, user-friendliness and outstanding driving performance.  The redesigned, second generation models unveiled today were designed to further enhance the appeal of these products, to the extent that they become all that a "five-number" sedan can possibly be.

The exterior possesses a sense of luxury and presence, while the newly lengthened and widened interior displays an enhanced feeling of quality and space.  In addition, numerous advanced and innovative features have been adopted for even greater convenience, including a Smart Entry & Start System, a color rear-view monitor and an HDD navigation system compatible with G-BOOK mX, the latest version of the G-BOOK telematics service.  The new 1.8-liter engine and Super CVT-i (Super Continuously Variable Transmission-intelligent) transmission provide superior cruising performance.  The redesigned vehicles also boast safety and environmental performance at the top levels of their class².

In addition to the vehicles equipped with 1.8-liter and 1.5-liter engines launched today, Toyota plans to add a 2.0-liter engine model in the winter of 2007.

1. A Japanese license plate designation for vehicles less than 4.7m in length, 1.7m in width and 2.0m in height and with an engine displacement of 2,000cc or less.
2. Compared to vehicles of similar engine displacement

• Based on the Toyota brand design philosophy "Vibrant Clarity", Toyota has created styles with both luxury and presence.  The Premio boasts a high-class appearance and highly dignified tone, while the Allion evokes a refined and sporty feel.

• The front end features a strong vertical line from the side fender to the bumper corner and a prominent center striking out from the hood to express a refined dignity.
• The side creates a refined feel with character lines and side protection molding that extend horizontally from the front to the rear.
• The rear has a broad and powerful feel with a horizontal sculpted form that extends from combination taillights that give a modern impression to the rear garnish.

• The front line of the hood forms a broad arc while the headlights, lower grille, and bumper form a large T shape to convey a refined and sporty feel.
• The side view features a body that narrows toward the rear, combined with overhanging rear fenders and rear wheel housings that are highlighted by the way they extend into the lower portion of the rear doors, evoking a sense of energy.
• The rear has a uniform surface that extends from the rear pillar to the trunk, and together with the three-dimensional combination taillights, creates a sense of solidity.

• The "five number" size, which affords excellent maneuverability, accommodates a functional interior that is 80mm longer and 55mm wider than the first-generation vehicles, creating a spacious cabin that allows adults to sit extremely comfortably in the rear seat, even with their legs crossed.
• Meticulous attention to every detail creates an interior with a luxurious feel.
• The instrument cluster is distanced from the driver, while the center console and a large-sized armrest extend slightly toward the driver, providing both ample room and superior operability.
• The wood-grain finished panels convey a sense of warmth and, combined with the matte surface, provide a sense of quality.
• The silver-colored door grips feature a distinctive curved shape and easy-to-use design, while the switches are surrounded by a wood-grain surface to enhance their appearance.
• Functional rear-seat arrangements not found in other sedans are made possible by adopting seatbacks that fold in a 60/40 split and can be folded flat without removing the headrests and package tray, creating a convenient, large and useful cargo space.
• The driver's seat has a vertical adjustment and a slide function and the steering wheel has a tilt and telescoping function to enable any driver to easily achieve an extremely comfortable driving position.
• The Smart Entry & Start System, standard on all vehicles in both series, employs a key that does not need to be removed from the driver’s pocket to lock and unlock the doors, as well as a push button for starting the engine.
• A color rear-view monitor that displays the view behind the vehicle when backing up, reducing the effort required by the driver when parking, is part of an audio-visual system that includes an easy-to-view 5.8-inch display, CD player, AM/FM radio and six speakers.
• Both series are equipped with the world's first* high-resolution position display function that uses an on-board rear camera to detect the lane that the vehicle is in and display the vehicle's location on screen.  This HDD navigation system (compatible with G-BOOK mX) also has a function that provides on-screen and voice notification when approaching a stop sign or school zone
• The G-BOOK mX telematics service provides a world's first* technology that TMC calls "Map on Demand", for automatically delivering updated map data to car navigation systems, and the Probe Communication Traffic Information service, which uses data from other vehicles equipped with G-BOOK mX to provide drivers with high-precision route-searching information on traffic congestion.

• The lightweight, high-rigidity body uses high-tensile strength steel plates to achieve an exceptionally quiet ride.
• The newly designed suspension has been optimally tuned for superior handing and a high-quality, comfortable ride.
• The 1.8-liter and 1.5-liter engines, which provide both excellent acceleration and outstanding environmental performance, are combined with Super CVT-i, which features no shift shock and smooth cruising, to achieve linear acceleration and an exceptionally quiet ride and contribute to improved fuel efficiency.

• The new vehicles adopt an advanced GOA (Global Outstanding Assessment) collision-safety body that has been further developed to meet stricter than normal conditions by incorporating the concept of omni-directional compatibility.  Through the use of a body that effectively absorbs collision impact by diffusing it throughout its structure, Toyota satisfied all independent targets for survival space and occupant injury.
• The pedestrian-injury-lessening body structure has been developed to further reduce pedestrian head injuries in an effort to achieve one of the highest levels of injury prevention in its class.
• The front-seat structures are based on the WIL (Whiplash Injury Lessening) concept and come with stronger seat frames and greater backrest give.  They were designed based on analyses using THUMS (Total Human Model for Safety), incorporating a structural design that reduces stress on the neck during low-speed rear impacts.
• All vehicles in both series achieve emission levels 75% lower than the 2005 standards under the Japanese Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport's Approval System for Low-emission Vehicles.  The 1.5-liter front-wheel drive models and 1.8-liter four-wheel drive models also boast fuel efficiency that is 10 percent greater than the Japanese 2010 fuel efficiency standards*, qualifying for incentives under the Japanese government's Green Taxation System.
• Eco-VAS (Eco-Vehicle Assessment System)―Toyota's original comprehensive environmental impact assessment system―was implemented to achieve the overall reduction of environmental impact throughout the vehicle's entire lifecycle as efficiently as possible.  Environmental targets were set in the vehicle development stage and a life cycle assessment was carried out to achieve a reduction of substances of concern throughout all stages of the vehicle's life from production and use to disposal.
• A review of the materials, processing methods and adhesives used for interior parts resulted in a reduction in the amount of VOCs (volatile organic compounds) used, thereby also reducing the unpleasant odors emitted from such compounds.
• An Eco Drive Indicator lights up when the vehicle is being efficiently operated to raise the driver's awareness of environmentally considerate driving and contribute to higher fuel efficiency.

• Welcab Rotating and Sliding Passenger Seat models (Type A and Type B) are equipped with a passenger seat that manually rotates and slides down outside the vehicle to further facilitate vehicle boarding and exiting.
• Welcab Friendmatic Seat models (Type I and Type II) are equipped with special power steering that reduces the force necessary for operation compared to the base model to enhance ease of handling while moving forward and otherwise driving at low speeds.  These models also allow for the installation of other special devices enabling people without use of their legs to drive with only their hands.