"Autoline" interview with 2013 Avalon Chief Engineer
08-30-12, 07:08 PM
#1
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"Autoline" interview with 2013 Avalon Chief Engineer
http://www.ustream.tv/recorded/25070759
Autoline had Randy Stephens, who is the Chief Engineer on the new Avalon, on their show tonight. He gave a lot of insight into the process on designing the new Avalon and the video is a very informative and interesting piece on how this car came together. Check it out.
Autoline had Randy Stephens, who is the Chief Engineer on the new Avalon, on their show tonight. He gave a lot of insight into the process on designing the new Avalon and the video is a very informative and interesting piece on how this car came together. Check it out.
08-30-12, 07:44 PM
#2
Speaks French in Russian
I wasnt expecting this to be so detailed and long. Pretty good video so far!
Also, are these Lexus F-sport accessory wheels? Regardless, this Avalon looks great!
EDIT: looks like they may be offering a "PLUS Performance Evolution" sports package? Interesting.
Also, are these Lexus F-sport accessory wheels? Regardless, this Avalon looks great!
EDIT: looks like they may be offering a "PLUS Performance Evolution" sports package? Interesting.
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08-31-12, 12:06 PM
#9
Toyota seriously considering sporty Avalon
Like its Cressida ancestor, Toyota's Avalon has long focused on easy living comfort and value over sex appeal. Conservative sheetmetal, a cushy ride, space to spread out and general ease-of-use have historically made the brand's largest sedan popular among the elderly. But the new 2013 Avalon brings with it markedly more expressive styling that suggests Toyota is no longer content to cater to the end-of-life demographic. This shift away from a more traditional value set to edgier design and content is one the entire large non-premium sedan segment seems to be embracing – witness the newly upscale 2014 Chevrolet Impala, as well as the sculpted flanks of the 2012 Hyundai Azera and Ford Taurus.
The 2013 model's noticeably svelter sheetmetal, with its bolder front end and flowing greenhouse announce Toyota's intent, but it's features like a Sport mode and paddle shifters that really telegraph the Avalon's newfound vigor and more aspirational mission. And Toyota officials tell Autoblog that the already-shown V6 and hybrid models are just the beginning – a stand-alone sport model is also under serious consideration.
According to Randy Stephens, the model's chief engineer, a trio of Avalon concepts is headed to SEMA this October, with two of them having been completed internally – unusual for Toyota. The pair of concepts conceived in-house will have a performance bent, with at least one featuring an off-the-shelf supercharger from the company's TRD parts bin in Australia (the same forced-induction setup used in the Lotus Evora S). The house-built Avalons are said to not be as outrageously styled as most SEMA vehicles tend to be, in large measure because Toyota plans to weigh public opinion with an eye toward a production run.
When asked if a sportier production Avalon model would be similar to the current Camry model's SE trim, Stephens quickly and decisively said, "No. It has to be more real." By "more real," Stephens means that a hotter Avalon would have to actually offer augmented performance. A production supercharged model? Highly unlikely. A performance tune of the Avalon's 2GR-FE 3.5-liter V6 (268 horsepower, 248 pound-feet of torque) is more plausible, along with a reworked suspension and appropriate visuals. With the 2013 model's switch to electric power steering, it would also be easy to remap the wheel's turn-in and weight.
The Georgetown, Kentucky-built Avalon hits dealers this fall in both standard and hybrid flavors. If given the green light, a performance will probably take another couple of years.
Like its Cressida ancestor, Toyota's Avalon has long focused on easy living comfort and value over sex appeal. Conservative sheetmetal, a cushy ride, space to spread out and general ease-of-use have historically made the brand's largest sedan popular among the elderly. But the new 2013 Avalon brings with it markedly more expressive styling that suggests Toyota is no longer content to cater to the end-of-life demographic. This shift away from a more traditional value set to edgier design and content is one the entire large non-premium sedan segment seems to be embracing – witness the newly upscale 2014 Chevrolet Impala, as well as the sculpted flanks of the 2012 Hyundai Azera and Ford Taurus.
The 2013 model's noticeably svelter sheetmetal, with its bolder front end and flowing greenhouse announce Toyota's intent, but it's features like a Sport mode and paddle shifters that really telegraph the Avalon's newfound vigor and more aspirational mission. And Toyota officials tell Autoblog that the already-shown V6 and hybrid models are just the beginning – a stand-alone sport model is also under serious consideration.
According to Randy Stephens, the model's chief engineer, a trio of Avalon concepts is headed to SEMA this October, with two of them having been completed internally – unusual for Toyota. The pair of concepts conceived in-house will have a performance bent, with at least one featuring an off-the-shelf supercharger from the company's TRD parts bin in Australia (the same forced-induction setup used in the Lotus Evora S). The house-built Avalons are said to not be as outrageously styled as most SEMA vehicles tend to be, in large measure because Toyota plans to weigh public opinion with an eye toward a production run.
When asked if a sportier production Avalon model would be similar to the current Camry model's SE trim, Stephens quickly and decisively said, "No. It has to be more real." By "more real," Stephens means that a hotter Avalon would have to actually offer augmented performance. A production supercharged model? Highly unlikely. A performance tune of the Avalon's 2GR-FE 3.5-liter V6 (268 horsepower, 248 pound-feet of torque) is more plausible, along with a reworked suspension and appropriate visuals. With the 2013 model's switch to electric power steering, it would also be easy to remap the wheel's turn-in and weight.
The Georgetown, Kentucky-built Avalon hits dealers this fall in both standard and hybrid flavors. If given the green light, a performance will probably take another couple of years.
Call me crazy, but if they were to ever do a S/C AWD version of this Avalon, I'd probably seriously consider buying one.
08-31-12, 12:29 PM
#10
I mean Toyota was one of the first companies in the world to use DI, 10 years ago before everyone else catched up :-).
08-31-12, 12:36 PM
#11
Lexus Fanatic
08-31-12, 01:33 PM
#14
Lexus Champion
It's becoming common in mainstream cars in the U.S., it's just a matter of time before Toyotas get it.
08-31-12, 01:38 PM
#15
yeah, my point was that Toyota has all these technologies already, so in reality they can do it whenever they want... technology is here. I dont think those two guys know that much about Toyota operations in the World hence the question that isnt really that relevant and doesnt tell us anything new.