SG: Introducing the new Toyota Alphard and Toyota Vellfire

Named after the brightest star in the constellation and derived from the Greek alphabet α (alpha), the Toyota Alphard is valiant and conveys classic elegance. Introduced in May 2002, the Toyota Alphard has since set the benchmark for exquisitely-styled exteriors with an unmatched level of opulence in its class.

In contrast to the Toyota Alphard’s elegance, the Toyota Vellfire is the bold and passionate twin, deriving its name from the words “velvet” and “fire”. The Toyota Vellfire was introduced in 2008 and its distinctive, aggressive chassis caters to those seeking that extra edge and sense of adventure in their drives.

Established as Toyota’s true flagship MPVs, the All-New Toyota Alphard and Toyota Vellfire promises improved handling, stability and ride comfort delivered by way of a compelling blend of refined engine performance, prominent exteriors and interior refinements.

Designed with the concept of “GRANDELUXE”, the Toyota Alphard and Toyota Vellfire exemplifies the essence of individuality by way of unique and impactful expressions in their chassis designs. These expressions, also known as “Avant-Grand”, represent the best of Avant-Garde unconventionality and Grand beauty, giving the MPVs their deluxe look and feel.

Commanding their own distinctive presences on the roads, the Toyota Alphard and Toyota Vellfire exude strength, luxury on the promise of exhilarating driving experiences beyond expectations.

Sculptured contours, refined details and the elongated side silhouette are a vision to behold. The overall height of the MPV is reduced by 10mm, the lowered rocker bottom edge and wheelbase extended by 50mm, allowing for a low center of gravity while still maintaining cabin height and rear seat comfort. The interiors are more spacious too, thanks to the 20mm widened tread at the front and 35mm at the rear.

While the car looks stunning from the outside, it’s the interior design that truly sets itself apart from the competition. The elaborate workmanship of the interior stresses the quality of the materials and combines with sculpted metal surface and wood-grain ornamentation for a unique impact.

The car’s second row come equipped with Captain and Ottoman seats for first-class luxury, swaddling the passengers with high-end, trimmed leather for exceptional comfort. These seats are power-operated for ease-of-use in the Elegance grades.

The MPVs feature the 7-inch, touchscreen InTouch Telematics Infotainment System to enable drivers to stay connected on the roads and compliment the luxurious quality of the vehicles. The Toyota Alphard and Toyota Vellfire also come equipped with a 16-colour LED ceiling colour illumination system that allows passengers to select from a myriad of colours to influence the mood during the drive. Whether it’s a relaxing drive to enjoy a hi-tea session with friends or a ride to attend an exciting party, there is definitely a colour palette that speaks to the mood of any trips.

The Toyota Alphard and Toyota Vellfire are equipped with the new 2.5L Dual VVT-i engine that continuously optimizes the timing of the intake and exhaust valve operation according to driving conditions. This provides a higher level of performance in every area and enhances fuel economy and lowers emissions.

Especially advantageous for Singapore’s traffic conditions is the Stop-Start system that automatically shuts down and restarts the internal combustion engine when the vehicle is stationary, thereby enhancing fuel economy and ensuring the cabin’s quietness for the comfort of its passengers.

Newly developed rear suspension also greatly enhances the cabin’s quietness and rear seat ride comfort by achieving a constant articulation index that is expected of a luxury passenger vehicle. Gate valves have been adopted as shock absorbers to reduce vibrations, while still ensuring high quality ride comfort and excellent handling stability. The Toyota wishbone or the suspension arm allows the shock absorber to be placed in the middle of the arm for a compact design, resulting in a more spacious cabin and cargo space.

The Toyota Alphard and Toyota Vellfire seek to provide a high level of protection for its driver and passengers by featuring a list of comprehensive features, including:

• : Driver, Front passenger side, Curtain and Driver’s Knee.

• ): Front seats, so that in the event of a rear-end collision, the occupant’s torso will sink into the seat and the head and back will be restrained simultaneously, to help reduce impact to the occupant’s neck.

• : Integrating key safety features such as ABS, TRC/TRAC, VSC and EPS functions to ensure the vehicle maintains excellent driving performance in terms of driving, turning and stopping.

• Ensuring smooth hill starts by applying brake pressure to all four wheels for approximately two seconds in order to hold the vehicle and reduce rollback on a steep and/or slippery incline.

• : Using ultrasonic sensors to detect an obstacle at the front corners and rear of the vehicle. An indicator and buzzer also alert the position of the vehicle and proximity between the sensors and obstacle.

• : Ensuring effective visibility in the intended direction of travel when entering an intersection by allowing illumination at a higher point than that of low beam headlamps to illuminate the upper body of a pedestrian. Separate light sources have been added to effectively guide driver’s line-of-sight and visibility of the vehicle for pedestrians.

Credits: Oneshift News Team