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Jan 14, 2008 11:09 AM
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Update: We've got the live reveal video posted HERE
Toyota told us about the 2009 Toyota Venza Crossover Sedan last year, but it's been bone-dry for teaser shots. But the seal is now broken! Here are the first live photos of the sorta sporty, sorta utilitarian, sorta... vehicle has an intriguing squashed-Ford Edge-meets-Toyota Camry look to it. This is all we've got at the moment but give us a second and we'll be adding we've added live galleries and whatever press information we can get our grubby little hands on.
TOYOTA STAGES WORLD DEBUT OF ALL-NEW VENZA AT
2008 NORTH AMERICAN INTERNATIONAL AUTO SHOW
DETROIT, January 14, 2008 - - Toyota Motor Sales (TMS), U.S.A., Inc.,
unveiled the all-new 2009 Venza crossover sedan at a press conference here
today at the 2008 North American International Auto Show (NAIAS). Venza will
raise the crossover vehicle to new levels by combining a unique blend of sedan
refinement and sport utility vehicle (SUV) functionality.
"The all-new Venza was developed as a vehicle that combines the styling,
comfort and fun-to-drive performance elements of a five-passenger sedan with
the surprising utility of an SUV," said Bob Carter, Toyota Division group vice
president and general manager. "This winning combination will be ideal for
active 'boomers' and young couples with small families."All aspects of Venza's engineering and design were targeted specifically
for the North American market where it will be sold exclusively. Venza was
engineered at Toyota Technical Center in Ann Arbor, Mich., and designed at
Toyota's Calty design studios in Newport Beach, Calif. and Ann Arbor, Mich.
Venza will be assembled at Toyota Motor Manufacturing Kentucky (TMMK), in
Georgetown, Ky.The development focus of the Venza design team was to create a new
crossover vehicle that shifted away from the more traditional SUV styling themes
that tend to dominate the segment. Calty designers leaned more heavily on a
sleek sedan concept with a wide stance that featured a sporty exterior and
premium comfort interior but would also be equipped with important SUV
attributes such as cargo space, towing capability and all-wheel-drive
performance.The exterior design of the four-door Venza begins with an imposing front
end featuring a distinctive grille, headlights and fog lamps for an aggressive, yet
classy appearance. The front conforms to a sleek and aerodynamic shape with
short overhangs, crisp character lines and a roofline and ground clearance that
are lower than a typical crossover. From behind, Venza's refined appearance is
complete with an angled rear hatch, rear spoiler and wide wraparound tail lights
that interconnect with the hatch door.On the inside, Calty designers and TTC engineers made comfort,
refinement and utility a priority for the five-passenger Venza. A lower rocker
design will allow occupants to more easily step in and out of the vehicle than a
typical sedan. Venza will also feature a higher ride height and hip points that will
provide significantly better driver visibility than most sedans and easier ingress
and egress than most SUVs.Venza will feature a spacious interior providing ample room for all five
passengers and abundant SUV-like cargo space behind the second row of seats.
The rear hatch provides a low cargo height that allows for easy loading and
unloading of luggage and outdoor gear. Easy-to-use levers, one on each side of
the rear cargo area, allow the 60/40 split rear seats to fold flat, providing
additional storage space for extra long items such as surf boards, skis, camping
gear and gardening equipment. For added passenger comfort, the rear seats
recline up to 14 degrees.A creative interior design complemented with an array of comfort and
convenience features provides Venza with a refined look and feel that is
commonly reserved for a luxury sedan. The flow of the instrumentation panel
(IP) creates a unique 60/60 design that gives both driver and front passenger the
look and feeling that 60 percent of the IP is accessible from their seating position.An extra long center console extends from the IP and slopes down to a
center compartment with a unique sliding console cover. Sliding open the
compartment lid reveals a large storage well deep enough to hold a large purse.
The compartment is also illuminated and equipped with an auxiliary audio jack
and 12-volt power point. The upper portion of the center console houses the
gear-shift lever for easy and comfortable driver access. Climate control functions
are centrally located on the upper center console, providing easy accessibility for
both driver and passenger. The center console also contains an iPod/MP3
storage compartment with wire management and illuminated dual cupholders.
All Venza models will be equipped with an array of standard features
including auto dual zone air conditioning, AM/FM six-disc CD, tilt/telescopic
steering wheel with audio controls, remote keyless entry, electrochromic rearview
mirror with compass, a multi-information display, cruise control, optitron gauges,
rear wiper, privacy glass, and much more. On V6 models Venza will come
standard with dual exhaust tips and will be the first Toyota model to ride on
standard 20-inch alloy wheels. Four-cylinder models will come standard with 19-
inch alloy wheels.Chrome accents throughout give Venza a refined look and feel. Models
equipped with an optional leather-trimmed interior will feature wood-grain-type
trim and seats stitched with dark piping that is tastefully coordinated with Venza's
standard linear grain dashboard and steering wheel. An array of storage space
will be available throughout the vehicle to accommodate passenger belongings.
A large storage compartment with an additional 12-volt power point located on
the passenger side of the front center console will be sizeable enough to contain
maps and magazines.A panoramic roof will be offered as an option and will be a first for the
Toyota vehicle lineup. The roof will feature separate glass panels over the front
and rear seats. The front glass panel will have a power tilt/slide function.Venza will also offer an Automatic High Beam headlight system, another
Toyota first. When high beam headlights are in use sensors in the Automatic
High Beam system will detect oncoming traffic and automatically switch the
headlights to low-beam. When the Automatic High Beam sensors no longer
detect oncoming traffic the system will switch the headlights back to high-beam
mode.Additional optional equipment will include a navigation system equipped
with a JBL audio system, integrated satellite radio capability and BluetoothTM
technology; a premium JBL audio system with AM/FM six-disc CD changer,
satellite radio capability and BluetoothTM, rear seat entertainment system, a Smart
Key System, back-up camera and a power rear door.The sleek and sporty styling, refined interior and outstanding utility
features are complemented with fun-to-drive performance attributes expected by
owners with active lifestyles. Aggressive handling typically found in a
performance coupe is well-balanced by the on-road comfort of an upscale sedan.
Venza will be available in front- and all-wheel-drive configurations. It will
provide drivers and passengers the best of both worlds by delivering the quiet
comfortable ride expected from a full-size sedan along with the peace-of-mind
that comes with all-wheel-drive.Power will be generated by an available 3.5-liter V6 that will produce 268
horsepower at 6,200 rpm and 246 lb.-ft. of torque at 4,700 rpm with a towing
capability of 3,500 pounds. Standard power will come from an all-new 2.7-liter
four-cylinder engine that will deliver capable performance and provide excellent
fuel efficiency and low emissions. Both engines will be mated with a six-speed
sequential-shift electronically-controlled automatic transmission.
Venza will be equipped with a comprehensive list of standard safety
features. It will provide a total of seven airbags, including a driver's knee airbag
and side and curtain airbags for both rows of seats. Venza will also be the first
sedan with Toyota's STAR safety system, featuring anti-lock brakes, traction
control, electronic brake-force distribution, brake assist, and vehicle stability
control. Venza will also feature active head restraints as standard equipment."Venza will establish an exciting new crossover niche that will combine the
finest attributes of Toyota's diverse vehicle lineup," said Carter. "It will cater to
buyers who are looking for the value and reliability of a Camry, the comfort and
upscale refinement of an Avalon, and the utility and functionality of a Highlander
SUV in one very stylish and sporty package."
"When it goes on sale in late 2008, the Venza crossover sedan will
represent Toyota's latest commitment to driving change in the marketplace."
Send an email to Ben, the author of this post, at ben@jalopnik.com.
Original material is licensed under a Creative Commons License permitting non-commercial sharing with attribution.
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