2012 Toyota Aurion features the new 3.5-litre V6 engine and will soon conquer many hearts. The engine is powerful and delivers 200kW at 6200rpm on 91 octane fuel. In addition, this model of Toyota delivers the best fuel economy in the 3.5-litre class in the large passenger segment - six per cent better than the first generation.

This model is an upgraded one and in fact is an attainable luxury car.

Furthermore, the Aurion incorporates advanced technology in drivetrain and active and passive safety strategies. It has seven air bags, including for the first time a driver's knee air bag.

In addition, the ride and handling has been enhanced in all areas. User-friendly modifications have been made in many important ways.

The centre console storage area is longer, and the boot loading lip is lower to the ground for easier loading.

Moreover, the interior dimensions have been enhanced and now the car provides even more legroom and greater headroom for rear seat occupants.

There are five trim levels in the 2013 Toyota Aurion Range, which are all equipped with the 3.5-litre quad cam V6 engine mated to a six-speed electronically controlled transmission.

2012 Toyota Aurion

All models come with seven SRS airbags (including driver's knee airbag for the first time), seatbelt warnings on all five seats, vehicle stability control (VSC), traction control (TRC), dual-zone automatic climate-controlled air conditioning, reversing camera, five alloy wheels, 60/40 split-fold seats for the first time, multi-information display, Eco indicator, display audio with USB input and iPod* connectivity, acoustic windscreen, dual exhaust, chrome rear garnish and rocker moulding, Optitron instruments and integrated side indicators in the exterior mirrors.

These features are all include in the AT-X model. As an option to this model are the leather-accented interior and 17-inch Sport alloy wheels, or both.

The Prodigy model features all that is included in the AT-X one, however it adds the following: premium four-spoke steering wheel, leather-accented interior with premium door trim, electro-chromatic interior mirror, electric rear sunshade, driver's seat memory (including exterior mirror settings), power-operated front passenger's seat and smart entry/smart start.

The exterior of the Prodigy trim level includes 17-inch alloys, rain-sensing wipers, exterior mirror dipping in reverse, front foglamps, chrome door handles, front and rear clearance sonar, and metallic/mica paintas standard.

As an option comes the moonroof.

Thirdly, the Presara model adds JBL premium audio with seven-inch screen display, digital radio, satellite navigation with live traffic updates, back-guide monitor, HID headlamps with the Toyota adaptive front-lighting system (AFS), automatic high beam, blind spot monitor (BSM), moonroof and additional woodgrain-look inserts in the instrument panel, door trims and gear shifter area.

2012 Toyota Aurion Interior

Next, the Sport-grade models build on the features of the Aurion AT-X.

For instance the new Sportivo SX6 has the additional exterior features over the AT-X of sports suspension, 17-inch sport alloy wheels, front and rear spoilers, sports diffuser, front fog lamps and metallic/mica paint.

The interior of this model adds the following: quick response paddle shift, sports pedals, premium three-spoke steering wheel, sports front seats, power front passenger's seat, sports Optitron combination meter and smart entry/smart start.

The other sport model - the high-grade Sportivo ZR6, adds includes in addition the automatic high beam, rain-sensing windscreen wipers, HID headlamps with AFS, BSM, front and rear clearance sonar, and exterior mirrors dipping in reverse.

Furthermore, regarding the interior it also adds sports leather-accented interior with premium door trims, driver's seat memory including exterior mirror settings, JBL premium audio with seven-inch display, digital radio, satellite navigation with live traffic updates, electro-chromatic interior mirror and back-guide monitor.

Here again the moonroof is available as an option on both Sportivo models.

This second-generation 2013 Toyota Aurion has been built around the philosophy of efficiencies in materials, construction techniques and ergonomics to provide a substantially improved package.

Its weight is significantly reduced and its chassis comes with increased rigidity. This results in improvements ranging from reduced fuel use and emissions to greater cabin noise attenuation.

In details, Aurion's body in white is made from high tensile steel, providing not only reduced weight and better rigidity but also better suspension and engine mounting points.

All this results in reduced fuel consumption which now is estimated 9.3 litres/100km.

Furthermore a new lock-up-at-start mechanism on the six-speed transmission and the adoption of electric power steering has also lead to the decrease in energy use.

The electric power steering now substitutes the hydraulic assistance and makes for better, more progressive steering.

Moreover, the models seats are new, larger, more encompassing. Nevertheless they are still able to provide greater interior room for occupants.

Next, the exterior of the Aurion Sportivo's is designed specifically to appeal to young customers.

This model has an exclusive blacked-out grille incorporating body-coloured accents. A large front bumper has blacked-out air intake extremities incorporating fog lights.The two portals are angled and flank a wider air intake across the car to provide a startling front view. The rear is equally confronting. A low mounted wing rear spoiler spans the upper boot.An exclusive rear bumper section replicates the front with two extremity portals flanking a central black splitter.Dual exhaust tips emerge beneath the bumper.

Furthermore, the model rides on 17-inch five-spoke alloy wheels.

The interior of this sports model has exclusive bolstered seats, steering wheel with paddle shift and exclusive silver-metallic instrumentation.

The Aurion range offers nine exterior colours. The new five added colours are Eclipse Black, Graphite, Silver Pearl, Magnetic Bronze and Reflex Blue.

Moreover the 2012 Aurion has an improved front seat design with a new seat frame for enhanced ride comfort and a more stable posture.

The Sportivo SX6 model adds a power-operated front passenger's seat.

In addition the Prodigy, Presara and Sportivo ZR6 have the additional features of leather-accented seat trim, power-operated front passenger's seat and driver's seat memory, including exterior mirror settings.

Aurion now comes with 60/40 folding rear seats across all grades.

The instrument cluster includes a liquid-crystal display (LCD) multi-information display (MID) and, for the first time in Aurion, an Eco indicator.

The left LCD includes three sections: coolant temperature, outside air temperature, shift position and rheostat brightness level on the left.

At the centre the LCD includes: MID with range, average fuel consumption, elapsed time and average speed.

The right-hand LCD shows odometer and trip-meter readings.

The new-generation Toyota Aurion has many storage locations: four cup holders, six bottle holders, front and rear door pockets, and front seat-back pockets.

More importantly, Toyota has boosted Aurion V6's fuel economy by 6.1 per cent and reduced CO2 emissions by 7.7 per cent.

As stated the official combined-cycle fuel economy of the model is 9.3 litres/100km and the CO2 emissions are cut to 215g/km.

Aurion's powerful engine produces 272 hp (200kW) of power at 6200rpm and 336Nm (248 lb-ft) of torque at 4700rpm.

This unique V6 engine is mated to electronically-controlled six-speed sequential-shift transmission, with paddle shift on Sportivo models.

Key features of the engines include dual variable valve timing with intelligence (VVT-i) and an intelligent electronic throttle. It also adds the following: an electronic acoustic control induction system (ACIS), direct ignition system (DIS) and a lightweight cast-aluminium cylinder block.

Next, Aurion's new tyres reduce rolling resistance and increase grip in wet and dry conditions. Moreover, they also increase damping feel, while reducing noise, vibration and harshness.

2012 Toyota Aurion Fleet

In addition, the performance has been improved in braking, ride and handling.

The model rides on new alloy wheels, including a full-sized alloy spare wheel.

AT-X has 10-spoke 16-inch alloy wheels with 215/60 R16 Michelin tyres.

Prodigy and Presara have 10-spoke 17-inch alloy wheels with 215/55 R17 Bridgestone tyres.

Sportivo SX6 and ZR6 have five-spoke 17-inch alloy wheels with 215/55 R17 Bridgestone tyres.

The Sportivo wheel is available as an option on AT-X.

The vehicle also comes with improved stopping power and brake feel. Toyota has completely redesigned Aurion's brake-control hardware to give the driver a more secure and confident feeling when braking. This redesign includes the following: variable-ratio link-type brake pedal, to reduce pedal stroke and improve feel; ABS/vehicle stability control actuator and the brake booster; BOS (brake over-ride system) which prioritises the action of the brakes and suppresses engine output if the brake and accelerator pedals are pressed simultaneously.

In addition, Toyota has boosted Aurion's safety package, fitting seven SRS airbags as standard equipment, including a driver's knee airbag for the first time.

The car's suite of active safety systems features: vehicle stability control, traction control and ABS with electronic brake-force distribution and brake assist.

Furthermore, there is also added a reversing camera, which comes as standard equipment on all Aurion models.

Presara and Sportivo ZR6 have the added feature of Back Guide Monitor.

Prodigy, Presara and both Sportivo models have front and rear parking sonar as well as dipping exterior mirrors when reverse gear is selected.

Aurion's top-of-the-range luxury and sport models have the new Toyota blind spot monitor (BSM) system. This system warns the driver if there is a vehicle in the 'blind spot' on either side. It utilizes sub-millimetre radar, which detects other vehicles in adjacent lanes.

The BSM is standard equipment on Aurion Presara and the Sportivo ZR6 model.

In particular, the system signals of the presence of a vehicle in the blind spot by illuminating indicators in the relevant exterior mirror. The mirror indicator will remain illuminated as long as the vehicle is detected, and will flash when the turn signal is operated. In addition, this system includes a radar detector located on both sides of the car. It also uses the steering angle sensor, vehicle speed sensor and main switch.

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2013 Toyota Aurion Pricing:

Grade Pricing
AT-X $36,490
Prodigy $41,490
Presara $49,990
Sportivo SX6 $40,990
Sportivo ZR6 $47,990

Specifications:

EXTERIOR DIMENSIONS
Overall length 4835mm (Sportivo 4855mm)
Overall width 1825mm
Overall height 1470mm
Wheelbase 2775mm
Front track 1575mm
Rear track 1565mm
Turning radius (kerb to kerb) 5.5m
INTERIOR DIMENSIONS
Length 2080mm
Width 1525mm
Height 1210mm (1145 with optional moonroof)
Front head room 986mm (962mm with optional moonroof)
Front shoulder room 1473mm
Front leg room 1057mm
Rear head room 967mm (964mm with optional moonroof)
Rear shoulder room 1439mm
Rear leg room 989mm
Luggage volume 515L (VDA method)
WEIGHTS AND CAPACITIES
Kerb weight 1525-1555kg
GVM 2100kg
Towing capacity 1600kg with trailer brakes; 500kg without
Fuel tank (L) 70
Coefficient of drag 0.29
ENGINE
Type 3.5 litres; 60-degree V6 2GR-FE
Capacity 3456cm3
Bore x stroke 94.0 x 83.0mm
Compression ratio 10.8:1
Power 200kW @ 6200rpm
Torque 336Nm @ 4700rpm
Fuel system Multi-point EFI into intake port
Min fuel octane rating 91 RON
Australian emissions Euro IV
TRANSMISSION
Type Toyota U660E electronically controlled 6-speed with paddle shift on Sportivo
Ratios
1st 3.300
2nd 1.900
3rd 1.420
4th 1.000
5th 0.713
6th 0.608
Reverse 4.148
Final drive ratio 3.458:1
PERFORMANCE
Fuel economy (litres/100km)# 9.3
CO2 emissions (g/km)# 215
# Fuel consumption and emissions will vary depending on driving conditions/style, vehicle conditions and options/accessories. Source of fuel consumption data: ADR 81/02 combined cycle.
BRAKES
Front 296 x 28mm ventilated discs
Rear 286 x 10mm solid discs
Parking brake Foot pedal
Brake systems ABS with brake assist and EBD
SUSPENSION
Front MacPherson strut system
Rear Dual link system
STEERING
Type Rack and pinion with electric power steering (EPS)
Overall steering gear ratio 16.9
Turns lock to lock 3.12
ACTIVE SAFETY SYSTEMS
Type Vehicle stability control, traction control
WHEELS
AT-X 16'' x 6.5J alloy
Prodigy, Presara and Sportivo 17'' x 7J alloy
TYRES
AT-X Michelin 215/60R16
Prodigy, Presara and Sportivo Bridgestone 215/55R17

Source: Toyota