Prototype (?) LHD Avalon spotted, Princes Hwy 16.12

LeadFoot81 · 17-12-2005, 10:28 AM

Hey guys, yesterday on the way to work I noticed in the distance what I thought was some sort of pimped out Lexus coupe.
I could see a big 'left hand drive sticker' on the rear screen, so I got in as close as I could and I noticed Toyota badges. Across the rear bootlid in big silver letters was the name A V A L O N. This thing looked hot. The styling was Mazda meets Chrysler meets Lexus with a touch (very little) of the current Camry. The styling was organic (like Toyota have gone with the Yaris) I'm pretty sure it was basically the 'next gen Camry' pictured in this thread-

http://www.fordforums.com.au/showthr...ghlight=avalon

Except it had different headlights and grille (which were extremely similar to the Chrysler Crossfire) and a different bootlid. The number plate insert was onthe rear bumper, which left the lid clean for a chunky Toyota badge, and the extremely large Avalon badge/s (which were very tasteful I thought). It was wearing nice looking 17" wheels as well.

I don't exactly what the deal iswith this thing, but if its the replacement for the Avalon its a damn nice looking one. I dont think it could take business away from Falcon and Commodore,but if its well equipped and powerful it could defintely join the Chrysler 300C in stomping the Statesman and Fairlane.

AUIII XR8 MAN · 17-12-2005, 10:31 AM

Same you didn't get any pics.

LeadFoot81 · 17-12-2005, 10:42 AM

Yeah the power window switch to my drivers window is stuffed, couldnt get it down, couldnt get and mobile phone pics.
Boy is my face red. =)

LeadFoot81 · 17-12-2005, 11:56 AM

I've done a few sketches of what this thing looked like. Theyll give you the gist of wat I saw. The real deal inthe metal though, is much sexier.
The sketches are here. Hope this helps illustrate what im talking about.
Ill upload some better stuff tomorrow.

http://www.alphalink.com.au/~grunter...nPrototype.bmp

FPV · 17-12-2005, 12:37 PM

That drawing of yours is excellent. It does look alot like the US avalon which toyota said the aussie version would differentiate in styling, also they said it won't carry the avalon name.

LeadFoot81 · 17-12-2005, 10:52 PM

Yeah I read the same thing, that Toyota oz were dropping the name. Having looked at '07 Camry pics, I'd say the car I saw WAS a camry, but it had the big shiny a through l letters on the boot. Regardless I think Toyota are headed in the right direction with their styling.

T_Terror · 17-12-2005, 11:06 PM

Wow you are such a good drawer that is a mad sketch.

You inspired me to get the pad and pen out hehe.

Anyway, that new avalon looks good, i think the new styling from all the car makers known for blandness is moving towards a very nice design including mitsu, hyundai, and esp honda with theire accord euro with power levels being raised ot respectable levels (most around 170kw).

Unfortunately Toyota Australias "cardigan car" stigma will be hard to wear off.

Falcon Freak · 18-12-2005, 02:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Inline6

Hey guys, yesterday on the way to work I noticed in the distance what I thought was some sort of pimped out Lexus coupe.
I could see a big 'left hand drive sticker' on the rear screen, so I got in as close as I could and I noticed Toyota badges. Across the rear bootlid in big silver letters was the name A V A L O N. This thing looked hot. The styling was Mazda meets Chrysler meets Lexus with a touch (very little) of the current Camry. The styling was organic (like Toyota have gone with the Yaris) I'm pretty sure it was basically the 'next gen Camry' pictured in this thread-

http://www.fordforums.com.au/showthr...ghlight=avalon

Except it had different headlights and grille (which were extremely similar to the Chrysler Crossfire) and a different bootlid. The number plate insert was onthe rear bumper, which left the lid clean for a chunky Toyota badge, and the extremely large Avalon badge/s (which were very tasteful I thought). It was wearing nice looking 17" wheels as well.

I don't exactly what the deal iswith this thing, but if its the replacement for the Avalon its a damn nice looking one. I dont think it could take business away from Falcon and Commodore,but if its well equipped and powerful it could defintely join the Chrysler 300C in stomping the Statesman and Fairlane.

I saw the same car one evening a few weeks ago in Endeavour Hills. I was spewing as I didn't have a camera with me. Was some old grey haired bloke in a shirt and tie behind the wheel. Killed him away from the lights.

FF

LeadFoot81 · 19-12-2005, 10:30 AM

Vindication! Grey haired guy was driving the car as well when I saw it.

Falcon Freak · 14-01-2006, 09:00 PM

This is the car I saw late last year:

Click here

Another article with more pictures

Just goes to show that you should always have a camera with you as you never know what you may see on the road.

Is it the same car you saw Inline6?

FF

irsa76 · 14-01-2006, 09:29 PM

Did it look like this?

UNR8D · 15-01-2006, 11:54 AM

its the 06 camry you have shown apart from the last pic, will be launched mid 06' 4 cyl only no V6, avalon which will have a diffrent name plate will be the large 6 in the line up.

LUXO_8 · 15-01-2006, 11:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by UNR8D

its the 06 camry you have shown apart from the last pic, will be launched mid 06' 4 cyl only no V6, avalon which will have a diffrent name plate will be the large 6 in the line up.

this is what ive heard from our toyota rep as well....

UNR8D · 15-01-2006, 12:01 PM

the new camry will have an updated 2.4VVTI producing 120+kw and will continue with the current base/sportivo/grande models will be based on lexus is250 will introduce bluetooth technology and connector for ipod, stability / traction ctrl and 7 airbags, unsure of model specs as yet.

**DJM83** · 15-01-2006, 12:28 PM

the new camray was in fridays herald sun and from the front it looked remarkably similar to the newest mazda 6 not bad for a camry though

LeadFoot81 · 17-01-2006, 10:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr Stationwagon

Did it look like this?

Yes Mr Stationwagon, thats the car i saw.
Everything I've heard has pointed to Toyota Oz dropping the avaon name. But if its a global car, itd make sense to have a left hand drive avalon over here for testing. The re-engineered right hand drive aussie model would have new badging.

buickman · 18-01-2006, 12:00 AM

There is actually 2 of them around. I saw them at the swapmeet car park at sandown

Dave_au · 18-01-2006, 12:22 AM

More:

LeadFoot81 · 18-01-2006, 12:29 AM

The version I saw differed from the pics of the (Jap/US?) Avalon which DaveAU posted, in that the front was more rounded with a more aussie euro look.

Paxton · 18-01-2006, 10:00 AM

If the Avalon looked like that, I would Still wouldn't touch it with a 10 foot pole.

MethodX · 18-01-2006, 02:46 PM

Looks very under tyred

not a good look