Toyota announced today that they will be debuting a new crossover sedan at the Detroit Auto Show. We guess they're hoping to expand their narrow offerings and fill that huge hole between the RAV-4, Matrix and Highlander. The new vehicle will be "a unique blend of sedan and sport utility vehicle." Unique? The new Toyota will offer seating for five, a car-like ride and will have some sort of functional utility (err... AWD?). The 2009 Toyota Venza will be built in the Georgetown, Kentucky plant, which currently produces the Camry, Avalon and Solara. We have no spy photos or teases for you, though we'll throw out the FT SX concept from the 2005 Detroit Auto Show as a possible spiritual heir and maybe a replacement for the Highlander. Press release below the jump.
All-New Toyota Venza Crossover Sedan To Make World Debut At 2008 North American International Auto Show
December 19, 2007 - Torrance, CA - Toyota Motor Sales (TMS), U.S.A., Inc., will stage the world premiere of the all-new 2009 Toyota Venza crossover sedan at a press conference at the 2008 North American International Auto Show in Detroit.
Venza will be a unique blend of sedan and sport utility vehicle, offering seating for five, easy ingress and egress, a car-like ride and functional utility. Venza was designed and engineered in the United States and will be assembled at Toyota's manufacturing plant in Georgetown, Kentucky.
The press conference will be held on Monday, January 14 at 10:50 AM Eastern Time in the Riverview Ballroom at COBO Center and simulcast live to the Toyota display area at the show. A video clip of the press conference will be available for viewing following the event on the Toyota.com website. [Source: Toyota]