Toyota Avalon |
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Wikipedia: Toyota Avalon
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History
The following section is an excerpt from Wikipedia's Toyota Avalon page on 16 October 2017, text available via the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported License.
The Toyota Avalon is a full-size car produced by Toyota in the United States, and is the flagship sedan of Toyota in the United States, Canada, Puerto Rico, and the Middle East. It was also produced in Australia from 2000 until July 2005, when it was replaced in November 2006 by the Toyota Aurion. The first production Avalon rolled off the TMMK assembly line in Georgetown, Kentucky, in September 1994. A second-generation model was released in the United States and Japan in 1999.
Toyota marketed the Avalon as a replacement for the Toyota Cressida, a model discontinued for the American market in 1992. While the Cressida was an upper-level midsize rear-wheel-drive car with a straight-six engine, the Avalon is front-wheel-drive, powered by a V6 engine. In recent years, there has been considerable overlapping with its platform mates, the Toyota Camry V6 and the Lexus ES, although the third-generation Avalon was distinguished by offering extra legroom. For its fourth generation, the Avalon was introduced on a platform that is shared with the Lexus ES.
As of 2013, the Toyota Avalon is available in the United States, Canada, Puerto Rico, South Korea, and the Middle East.
Avalon is a legendary island featured in the Arthurian legend.
First generation (XX10; 1994–1999)
The Avalon was a new model introduced in February 1994 at the Chicago International Auto Show and launched in late 1994 for the 1995 model year. Built in the same plant as the Camry, the Avalon was developed under the 299T program from 1990 to 1994 and based on a stretched XV10 Camry platform featuring a 3.0-liter 1MZ-FE V6 engine making 192 hp (140 kW) and 210 lb·ft (285 N·m) of torque. With almost 121 cu ft (3,426 l) of interior space, the Avalon was the roomiest six-passenger car from a Japanese manufacturer marketed in America, despite being three inches shorter than the Mazda 929 and 11 inches shorter than the Dodge Intrepid.
The Avalon was available with a front bench seat for six-passenger seating, and its column shifter was the first such feature in an American Toyota car since the 1982 Corona. The XL models were similar to the LE models of other Toyota vehicles, and the XLS models were similar to the XLE models of other Toyota vehicles. Traction control was optional. For 1997 models ABS became standard, power rating increased to 200 hp (150 kW), and torque increased to 214 lb·ft (290 N·m). In 1997 for the 1998 model year a mid-cycle refresh was introduced with minor updates to the front and rear fascias. Also for 1998, the Avalon's structure was modified to improve safety while front seat-mounted side airbags became standard.
The first-generation Avalon was also sold in Japan (vehicles were made in the United States and exported to Japan) as a right-hand drive model, and was exclusive to Toyopet Store locations. In Japan, it was the largest front-wheel drive sedan at Toyopet Store locations, and was sold alongside the front-engine, rear-drive Toyota Celsior, and was available in 3.0 and 3.0G grade levels, with the "Coach Edition" available as an option starting in late 1997 (equivalent to the 1998 model year).
Second generation (XX20; 1999–2004)
The second-generation Avalon grew larger in almost every respect, except wheelbase. It was still based on the stretched Camry platform and was powered by a 3.0-liter 1MZ-FE V6 engine equipped with VVT-i, shared with the Toyota Sienna, Lexus RX300, Lexus ES, and the Toyota Highlander, making 210 hp (157 kW) and 220 lb·ft (298 N·m). of torque and paired to a 4-speed automatic. The coefficient of drag had been reduced to Cd=0.28.
This Avalon was available in two trims: the basic XL and the upscale XLS. Standard features include electroluminescent Optitron gauges, 4-wheel disc ABS, front torso side airbags and 15" alloy wheels. Optional were a JBL audio system, a navigation system, Vehicle Stability Control, and a front row bench seat, allowing up to six passengers—a characteristic of large sized cars. However the front center seat is a tight fit for an adult passenger. Dual climate control, larger 16" wheels, and driver's and passenger's power seats were also available.
This second-generation Avalon also featured a built-in 115V AC power inverter, the first car with such a feature. This was dropped in the third-generation Avalon; yet, the Toyota Matrix, Sienna, and Scion models now offer such an inverter.
The Avalon received a mid-cycle facelift for the 2003 model year, with a new grille and modified headlights and taillights. The minor interior changes included a woodgrain-style trimmed steering wheel for the XLS, slightly modified gauges, and a chrome emblem steering wheel added onto the XL (once only standard for the XLS).
This second-generation Avalon was also exported to the Japanese market as the Toyota Pronard, derived from the French word "prôner" for "extol", "commend", or "praise", between 2002 and 2004, replacing the first-generation sold as the Avalon. The Japanese Toyota Pronard was reassigned from Toyopet Store and was now exclusive to the former Vista Store network as Toyota Netz Store locations, slotted between the larger Toyota Aristo and smaller Verossa and Altezza. Some of the optional equipment installed in the Pronard, to enhance its luxury, was the TEMS ride control technology. Due to poor sales, Toyota did not export the third-generation Avalon to Japan; thus, the Toyota Pronard has been discontinued.
Third generation (XX30; 2004–2012)
The Avalon underwent a redesign for 2005, and was unveiled to the public at the January 2005 North American International Auto Show. It went on sale in February 2005. Toyota reportedly cut the Avalon's production development time down from 29.5 months to 18 months. The third generation Avalon was not sold in Europe or Japan.
The third generation Avalon was larger than previous versions, with Calty styling and drag coefficient of Cd=0.29; the Avalon also became the first Toyota to use a single piece wiper blade design. The redesign dropped the front bench seat option, a feature once common among large American sedans such as Buicks and Cadillacs, and featured a semi-flat rear floor to help increase rear passenger comfort.
The Avalon was the first Toyota to use Dual VVT-i in the US market in an all-new 3.5-liter 2GR-FE V6 engine which met ULEV certification and had a power output of 280 hp (209 kW) with a 0–60 time of 6.0 seconds. The engine was mated to a 5-speed sequential shift automatic. Due to changes in the SAE's testing procedures, power dropped to 268 hp (200 kW) and torque dropped to 248 lb·ft (336 N·m) for the 2006 model year. Actual power output did not change.
Fourth generation (XX40; 2012–present)
The redesigned Avalon was partially revealed at the New York International Auto Show in April 2012, to be based on the same platform as the Lexus ES. A new grille was part of the redesign with redesigned lights that were now similar to the Camry. The interior controls have tap touch technology instead of buttons. In June 2012, Toyota announced the Avalon would offer a hybrid powertrain. The Avalon went on sale in the US at the beginning of December 2012.
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Custom Photo ©2006 Bill Crittenden 2006 Chicago Auto Show View photo of Custom Toyota Avalon - 981KB |
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Avalon Pursuit Photo ©2006 Bill Crittenden 2006 Chicago Auto Show View photo of Toyota Avalon Pursuit Police Car - 1,317KB |
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Avalon Pursuit Photo ©2006 Bill Crittenden 2006 Chicago Auto Show View photo of Toyota Avalon Pursuit Police Car - 1,021KB |
| Date | Document Name & Details | Documents |
|---|---|---|
| October 1997 | Calspan On-Site Air Bag Child Fatality Investigation Vehicle - 1995 Toyota Avalon National Highway Traffic Safety Administration |  PDF - 184KB - 11 pages |
| April 1998 | Onsite Depowered Driver Air Bag Deployment Investigation Vehicle: 1998 Toyota Avalon National Highway Traffic Safety Administration | PDF - 404KB - 14 pages |
| August 1998 | Remote Redesigned Air Bag Deployment Investigation SCI Technical Summary Report RABSS Vehicle - 1998 Toyota Avalon National Highway Traffic Safety Administration | PDF - 230KB - 11 pages |
| classified date 1999 | Special Crash Investigation Report Case Vehicle: 1998 Toyota Avalon XL, 4-door sedan National Highway Traffic Safety Administration | PDF - 59.9MB - 125 pages |
| March 1999 | SCI/NASS Combination Case Report Vehicle - 1998 Toyota Avalon National Highway Traffic Safety Administration | PDF - 438KB - 13 pages |
| April 1999 | On-Site Side Impact Inflatable Occupant Protection Investigation Vehicle - 1999 Toyota Avalon XLS National Highway Traffic Safety Administration | PDF - 713KB - 20 pages |
| October 2001 | Advanced Occupant Protection System/Combination Case 2001 Toyota Avalon National Highway Traffic Safety Administration | PDF - 1,009KB - 20 pages |
| 6 October 2003 | Safety Compliance Sled Testing for FMVSS 208: Occupant Crash Protection 2002 Toyota Avalon 4 Door National Highway Traffic Safety Administration | PDF - 3.6MB - 167 pages |
| classified date 2005 | Special Crash Investigation Report Case Vehicle: 2002 Toyota Avalon XLS, 4-door sedan National Highway Traffic Safety Administration | PDF - 5.4MB - 107 pages |
| 19 April 2005 | Safety Compliance Testing for FMVSS 214: Side Impact Protection (Indicant) 2005 Toyota Avalon 4-Door Sedan National Highway Traffic Safety Administration | PDF - 19.8MB - 274 pages |
| 21 June 2005 | Safety Compliance Testing for FMVSS No. 110: Tire Selection and Rims 2005 Toyota Avalon, 4-Door Passenger Car National Highway Traffic Safety Administration | PDF - 5.8MB - 54 pages |
| 24 June 2005 | FMVSS No. 207 Indicant Test 2005 Toyota Avalon, Passenger Car National Highway Traffic Safety Administration | PDF - 5.8MB - 51 pages |
| July 2006 | Advanced Occupant Protection/Knee Air Bag Investigation/Vehicle to Objects 2005 Toyota Avalon National Highway Traffic Safety Administration | PDF - 4,479KB - 19 pages |
| January 2008 | On-Site Office of Defects Investigation Potential Unintended Acceleration Investigation Vehicle - 2007 Toyota Avalon National Highway Traffic Safety Administration | PDF - 1,464KB - 16 pages |
| March 2009 | Not-in-Traffic Surveillance Calspan Remote Falling Vehicle Incident Investigation Vehicle: 2006 Toyota Avalon National Highway Traffic Safety Administration | PDF - 219KB - 10 pages |
| 19 May 2009 | Safety Compliance Testing for FMVSS 225: "Child Restraint Anchorage Systems" 2008 Toyota Avalon National Highway Traffic Safety Administration | PDF - 2.5MB - 81 pages |
| February 2010 | Office of Defects Investigation Calspan On-Site Potential Unintended Acceleration Crash Investigation Vehicle: 2008 Toyota Avalon National Highway Traffic Safety Administration | PDF - 734KB - 20 pages |
| March 2010 | Calspan On-Site Potential Unintended Acceleration Crash Investigation Vehicle: 2008 Toyota Avalon National Highway Traffic Safety Administration | PDF - 584KB - 17 pages |
| 17 October 2013 | Certain Toyota Avalon/Camry/Venza Vehicles Part 573, Defect Information Report To: Nancy Lewis, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration From: Abbas Saadat, Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc. | PDF - 1.6MB - 5 pages |
| 17 October 2013 | NHTSA Recall 2012-2013 Toyota Avalon, 2012-2013 Toyota Camry, 2012-2013 Toyota Venza National Highway Traffic Safety Administration | Recall Page - 1 page |
| 18 October 2013 | Clogged A/C Drain may cause Air Bags to Deploy To: Abbas Saadat, Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc. From: Jennifer Timian, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration | PDF - 51KB - 2 pages |
| Date | Article | Author/Source |
|---|---|---|
| 10 September 2009 | 2010 Toyota Avalon Limited -- Road Trip Review | John Stein |
| 11 March 2014 | Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc., Receipt of Petition for Decision of Inconsequential Noncompliance | Federal Register: NHTSA (Claude H. Harris) |
| 19 October 2017 | Petition for Exemption From the Federal Motor Vehicle Theft Prevention Standard; Toyota Motor North America, Inc. | Federal Register: NHTSA (Raymond R. Posten) |
