More Monsters from TRD

The exterior aesthetic took inspiration from Toyota's Formula One car. Those influences are most evident in the graphic of the front splitter, the wheel design and the 'diffuser'-style rear.

Mr Moran described the TRD Aurion as a vehicle that projects a "powerful and dynamic presence". To continue the F1 theme, Mr Cheung said the team worked on performance-oriented styling with a European flavour.

"The entire vehicle has a purposeful, high tech style with refinement and attention to detail," he said. "The graphic break-up on the steering wheel echoes the hand grip areas on the Toyota F1 wheel."

The vehicle's seats suggest a styling evocative of a racing seat, with high lateral support and material changes that work with the driver. "We have incorporated high-grip materials in key areas to brace the occupant," said Mr Cheung. "The interior is performance-focused, but in a very refined way."

Toyota chief engineer Stephen Castles completed mechanical specifications for the vehicle, which include the use of a locally developed supercharger assembly. "At the planning stage of the TRD Aurion we analysed where best to spend our development dollars to give the maximum benefit to the TRD customer.

The most immediate differences are the styling enhancements to the exterior and interior: but it's the dynamic performance of the TRD Aurion that really separates it from the standard vehicle.

We have put a lot of effort into improving the engine performance and driveability, brake performance and vehicle handling. Most importantly, we concentrated on integrating all of the elements which impact on the driving experience into a balanced and agile vehicle package," he said.


TRD Aurion will boast a supercharged 3.5-litre dual VVT-i V6 engine that has been developed with a target of producing at least 235kW. Power will be transmitted via a six-speed automatic transmission and through multi-spoke 19-inch wheels. Upgrades to braking and suspension systems have also been incorporated.


Mr Castles explained that the vast majority of components developed for the TRD Aurion were sourced locally.

"There is a great amount of experience and expertise within the local supplier base in developing and manufacturing performance products. Our engineering team has worked closely with a number of suppliers to develop designs, manufacture and evaluate prototype components and conduct on-vehicle evaluation. Two of these suppliers are Harrop Engineering, who developed the application of the Eaton TVS supercharger, and PBR, who developed an outstanding brake package for this vehicle."


Vital testing and integration of components was completed by Toyota with technical assistance from the Orbital Engine Company.

"The work of Orbital Engine Company in testing our engine modifications and working with our calibration engineer to establish engine ECU mapping has been critical to the success of this project. We see the collaboration with key local suppliers as crucial to maintaining the Toyota DNA of Quality, Durability and Reliability," said Mr Castles.


He said the TRD engineering team is made up of car enthusiasts who "embrace the additional freedoms of working on a niche vehicle when compared with mass-production vehicles".

"We are all passionate about the TRD Aurion; it is such a wonderful product. The quality of vehicle, the way it drives and handles, are a direct result of the skills of the TRD engineering team," he said. The TRD Aurion is scheduled for launch in August 2007.

[B]TRD HiLux Concept debuts at Melbourne Motor Show[/B]
TRD will showcase its new vision for a tough truck at the Melbourne International Motor Show with the first showing of its TRD HiLux Concept double cab 4WD.

The TRD HiLux Concept takes the TRD badge into another sector of specialised vehicles. It is designed to appeal to Australia's SUV and commercial vehicle buyers. Styling cues for the TRD HiLux Concept's design were inspired by the TRD Aurion, which is also on display at the Melbourne International Motor Show.


The TRD HiLux has an added toughness that befits a multi-purpose utility vehicle. The TRD HiLux has 17-inch six-spoke wheels with machine-faced and organically sculpted painted centres.

The wheel design was chosen to suggest motion even when the vehicle is stationary. TRD graphics feature prominently to clearly differentiate it from existing HiLux vehicles.

The rear of the vehicle features a vertical graphic and colour-coded bumper, while the front has an embossed TRD logo on the grille upper frame and a signature graphic on the mesh.

Driving lights have been added and protected by a unique surround, while the B pillars have been blacked out to visually extend the glass side areas. A revised side step with the TRD logo also defines the vehicle's profile.

To complete the tray area, a sports bar has been designed in black to pick up the colour cues evident on the sides and back of the vehicle. This sports bar also incorporates the TRD branding.


Production versions of the TRD HiLux will have a 4.0-litre V6 supercharged engine to boost performance, in line with TRD's mission to offer customers integrated performance vehicles.

They will also have upgraded suspension, brakes and other performance enhancements. Toyota anticipates that TRD HiLux will be launched in Australia by the end of 2007

Credits: nikolaiski