TOYOTA LAUNCHES ALL-NEW U.S.-BUILT AVALON AT CHICAGO AUTO SHOW

The Avalon will be the roomiest sedan even offered by a Japanese nameplate and the first to offer six-passenger accommodations with an optional power split-bench seat.

At 120.9 cubic feet, the Avalon's passenger volume will be classified as "large" by EPA standards―nine cubic feet larger than Camry and 19 cubic feet larger than Cressida, which it replaces.

The new four-door sedan will have much in common with Toyota's most popular passenger car, the midsize Camry. Both cars will be built at the TMM facility in Georgetown, Kentucky―Avalon exclusively. Avalon will be built on a stretched Camry platform at the Georgetown facility's new US$800-million expansion plant and will have a more powerful 192-hp version of the Camry's 3.0-liter, all-aluminum V-6. Both engines will be sourced from the Georgetown plant beginning with the 1995 model year.

Avalon's subtle exterior styling reflects it flagship status and high level of quality with crisp lines and a refined, timeless look, while the spacious interior is enhanced by the coordinated use of colors, shapes and materials.

From the beginning, the Avalon was meant to be the "most American" of all Toyotas. To accomplish this, a large portion of the exterior and interior component design responsibilities were given to the Toyota Technical Center (TTC) in Ann Arbor, Mich., Torrance, Calif., and Whittman, Ariz.

Based on an extended Camry platform, the Avalon uses different suspension components, a revised steering ratio and a wheelbase four inches longer than Camry. The result is a well-balanced combination of large-car ride comfort with the nimble handling and responsive steering of a midsize.

Avalon's overall road performance will be characterized by a quiet ride, smooth, responsive acceleration, agile maneuverability and excellent stability at highway speeds.

Although final specific features and options have yet to be finalized, the Avalon will be offered in two grade levels, standard and top-line XLS. Standard equipment on all models will include dual air bags, four-speed electronically controlled automatic transmission, four-wheel disc brakes, power windows, side-view mirrors and door locks.

"We Americans have a saying about 'quality time' being more important to busy people than 'quantity time'," said Illingworth. "If there is a design philosophy inherent in Avalon, it's 'quality time.' We have designed the ride, the handling, the ergonomics and the roomy, comfortable interior of this car in such a way as to provide the 'highest-quality road time' of any Toyota Division product. We are confident that people who drive an Avalon will clearly receive the message we're sending."

Avalon will go on sale in the U.S. in the fall of 1994 as a 1995 model.