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Toyota Avalon


Avalon
Vehicle Model

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Wikipedia: Toyota Avalon

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A full-size sedan produced by Toyota beginning with the 1995 model year.

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.


Photographs

Toyota Avalon Custom Custom
Photo ©2006 Bill Crittenden
2006 Chicago Auto Show
View photo of Custom Toyota Avalon - 981KB
Toyota Avalon Pursuit Police Car Avalon Pursuit
Photo ©2006 Bill Crittenden
2006 Chicago Auto Show
View photo of Toyota Avalon Pursuit Police Car - 1,317KB
Toyota Avalon Pursuit Police Car Avalon Pursuit
Photo ©2006 Bill Crittenden
2006 Chicago Auto Show
View photo of Toyota Avalon Pursuit Police Car - 1,021KB


Documents

DateDocument Name & DetailsDocuments
October 1997Calspan On-Site Air Bag Child Fatality Investigation
Vehicle - 1995 Toyota Avalon
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

PDF
- 184KB - 11 pages
April 1998Onsite Depowered Driver Air Bag Deployment Investigation
Vehicle: 1998 Toyota Avalon
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

PDF
- 404KB - 14 pages
August 1998Remote 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 1999Special Crash Investigation Report
Case Vehicle: 1998 Toyota Avalon XL, 4-door sedan
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

PDF
- 59.9MB - 125 pages
March 1999SCI/NASS Combination Case Report
Vehicle - 1998 Toyota Avalon
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

PDF
- 438KB - 13 pages
April 1999On-Site Side Impact Inflatable Occupant Protection Investigation
Vehicle - 1999 Toyota Avalon XLS
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

PDF
- 713KB - 20 pages
October 2001Advanced Occupant Protection System/Combination Case

2001 Toyota Avalon
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

PDF
- 1,009KB - 20 pages
6 October 2003Safety 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 2005Special Crash Investigation Report
Case Vehicle: 2002 Toyota Avalon XLS, 4-door sedan
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

PDF
- 5.4MB - 107 pages
19 April 2005Safety 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 2005Safety 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 2005FMVSS No. 207 Indicant Test
2005 Toyota Avalon, Passenger Car
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

PDF
- 5.8MB - 51 pages
July 2006Advanced Occupant Protection/Knee Air Bag Investigation/Vehicle to Objects
2005 Toyota Avalon
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

PDF
- 4,479KB - 19 pages
January 2008On-Site Office of Defects Investigation Potential Unintended Acceleration Investigation
Vehicle - 2007 Toyota Avalon
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

PDF
- 1,464KB - 16 pages
March 2009Not-in-Traffic Surveillance Calspan Remote Falling Vehicle Incident Investigation
Vehicle: 2006 Toyota Avalon
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

PDF
- 219KB - 10 pages
19 May 2009Safety Compliance Testing for FMVSS 225: "Child Restraint Anchorage Systems"
2008 Toyota Avalon
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

PDF
- 2.5MB - 81 pages
February 2010Office 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 2010Calspan On-Site Potential Unintended Acceleration Crash Investigation
Vehicle: 2008 Toyota Avalon
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

PDF
- 584KB - 17 pages
17 October 2013Certain 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 2013NHTSA Recall 2012-2013 Toyota Avalon, 2012-2013 Toyota Camry, 2012-2013 Toyota Venza
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
Recall Page - 1 page
18 October 2013Clogged 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


Article Index

DateArticleAuthor/Source
10 September 20092010 Toyota Avalon Limited -- Road Trip ReviewJohn Stein
11 March 2014Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc., Receipt of Petition for Decision of Inconsequential NoncomplianceFederal Register: NHTSA (Claude H. Harris)
19 October 2017Petition for Exemption From the Federal Motor Vehicle Theft Prevention Standard; Toyota Motor North America, Inc.Federal Register: NHTSA (Raymond R. Posten)





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