All-New 2013 Avalon Combines Emotional Styling, Dynamic Performance, and has been Refined to establish Toyota’s Flagship Sedan as the Segment Leader

(TORONTO, ON – November 16, 2012) For 2013, Toyota has dramatically altered the chemistry of Avalon’s formula, combining passionate styling, innovation, and an elevated level of craftsmanship to position Toyota’s flagship sedan as the leader of the competitive premium mid-size segment in Canada. This potent and persuasive sedan symbolizes Toyota’s exciting new design and product direction for future sedans.  What is perhaps most remarkable is that Toyota Canada is offering this new Avalon at a suggested starting price of just $36,800.

 

“Toyota designers and engineers infused the 2013 Avalon with a fresh new look and more driver-focused, responsive performance, then enhanced our next generation flagship with numerous premium features as standard equipment – and we’re able to offer this new Avalon to Canadian drivers at a starting price that’s 11 per cent lower than the starting MSRP on 2012 models,” said Tony Wearing, Senior Managing Director at Toyota Canada Inc. “The 2013 Avalon comes in two models, plus an available Premium Package, so it’s easy for Canadians to find a premium intermediate sedan with the comfort, performance and features they desire – plus the safety, quality and overall value that they’ve come to expect from Toyota.”


“The new Avalon will lead the charge for great styling, great handling performance, and the highest and best level of technologies,” said Randy Stephens, chief engineer of Avalon.


Exterior
For the mission of re-positioning the Avalon brand and shifting consumer perception of the sedan, Calty Design Research (Newport Beach, California and Ann Arbor, Michigan) fashioned an exterior that offers a much more athletic expression in sheet metal. The new Avalon sedan represents a dramatic styling departure from previous Avalon models.

The 2013 Avalon’s elegant and athletic design offers a longer flowing roofline creating a more appealing side silhouette with a lower vehicle beltline that suggests a sense of motion with a road holding stance. Its chiseled shoulder line sculpted into side sheet metal starts over the front wheels and creates a strong, fluid body side design cue adding to its athletic stance. The new Avalon exterior is designed to communicate a greater sense of performance and agility to better match the car’s vastly enhanced dynamic capability.

Compared to the 2012 model, the new Avalon offers more compact and athletic exterior dimensions and with a greater styling sophistication that does not sacrifice interior comfort. The vehicle’s stance has also been improved with more taut and compact exterior dimensions. Overall height has been reduced by 25mm (0.98 inch) while the overhangs have been reduced by 15 mm  (0.59 inch) at the front and 45 mm (1.77 inches) at the rear. Filling the wheel well, the gap between the body and the tires has been reduced by 7 mm (0.27 inch) compared to the previous Avalon model. The new Avalon’s visual stance has been further enhanced by 33 mm (1.29-inch) reduction in width of the rear side rails surrounding the rear glass to tighten the proportions of the greenhouse. Vehicle tread has been increased by (10 mm) 0.39 inch at the front and 15mm (0.59 inch) at the rear, widening the wheel placement underneath the more athletic Avalon body.

Keeping with the more athletic and expressive design theme, the new Avalon’s exterior lighting complements the design lines.  High Intensity Discharge (HID) bulbs are standard on Avalon Limited models for the low beam double-eye PES front lamps.  Daytime Running Lights (DRL’s) are available with six high- performance LEDs bulbs to lend a distinct, more modern image to the front of the vehicle.

A stronger, more expressive front-fascia design with larger grille opening creates an aggressive appearance while enhancing cooling air flow and pedestrian impact protection. The new Avalon’s exterior turn-signal indicators have been located at the lower section of the front bumper to contribute to the slim and sleek appearance. The 2013 Avalon’s sleek and sculpted rear tail lights utilize LED lamps to help ensure visibility and reduce the gap of unlit dark area between the trunk and rear quarter panel.

The more sculpted, athletic exterior design also helps the new Avalon cut through the wind with a low 0.28 coefficient of drag that helps fuel efficiency and on-road stability. The rear tapering design of the new Avalon body and the floor under covers help enhance vehicle stability at speed while improving airflow. The Avalon side mirrors offer improved aerodynamics to help reduce wind noise while also offering a weight reduction of 14.6 ounces (415 grams) compared to the outgoing model. The side mirrors alone help reduce the co-efficient of drag by 0.001 compared to the previous model. These new aerodynamic side mirrors offer features such as; a turn signal lamp, electrical adjustment, a mirror heater, memory positioning, an available puddle lamp, available Blind Spot Monitor indicator, and available electro-chromatic glass. Also, the new Avalon is equipped with a new, lighter weight, more aerodynamic wiper design that stays in contact with the window longer. The new Avalon’s rear valance houses stainless steel dual exhaust outlets integrated into the body.

Interior
The all-new 2013 Avalon’s Calty-designed interior elaborates on the exterior’s elegant, athletic theme to create a premium interior experience that combines high technology and craftsmanship with an artistic level of sculpted surfaces. The sculpted dash panel and its concave surfaces in front of the passenger help add to the sense of the cabin spaciousness. This panel is covered in supple, hand-stitched premium soft-touch material with the seam adding some creative flair as it goes across the dash panel. The broad, low and layered dash-board design helps divide the panel area into a balance between an intimate driver space, with focused angles on the meter, and a wide open passenger space.

The instrument panel has been widened by 30mm (1.18 inches) in the upper region and 65mm (2.56 inches) in the lower region compared to the outgoing model, helping enhance the interior’s spaciousness. The driver is engaged by an Optitron-type combination meter, which produces a sharp, high quality display and 3.5-inch Thin-film Transistor (TFT) color multi-information display.

The new Avalon’s interior surfaces features premium finishes such as hand sewn soft-touch material for the dash panel, unique smoke chrome trim surrounding the center panel, and high-quality glossy panel trim around the shifter. All of this attention to detail to touch surfaces and subtle enhancements to texture and visual appeal are aimed at elevating the overall interior experience for driver and passengers. Extensive use of soft-touch materials helps enhance the interior’s feeling of quality and comfort. A generous, dense-foam support is used beneath the supple soft-touch material covering many of the interior’s touch surfaces, while a soft-skin surface with a deep foam construction is used for many of the dash surfaces to create a greater sense of tactile quality.

The 2013 Avalon’s interior surfaces are available in two color themes: almond to help create a warm elegant, luxurious atmosphere; and black that offers a greater sense of driving performance.

The new Avalon’s front seats offer revised side bolstering using a lighter, denser foam material that helps improve body positioning for driver and passenger. In keeping with the road-trip oriented nature of this premium sedan, the seats still offer a high level of comfort and support for longer travels. As for adjustment, Avalon’s seats are available as either 10-way or 8-way power adjustable for the driver’s seat, and available 8-way and 4-way adjustment for the passenger seat. Compared to the seats in the outgoing model, the new Avalon seats offer 10mm (0.40 inch) more seat-length adjustment toward the rear limit for models with variable driver seat cushion length (Limited) and 15mm (0.59 inch) more seat height adjustment. The driver’s seat incorporates a seat-cushion length extender available on the 10-way adjustable seat. A pneumatic four-way lumbar support is built into the driver’s seat and a two-way lumbar support is available for the passenger. An electric seat heater is standard and seat ventilation system is available to help enhance driver and passenger seat comfort.

The 2013 Avalon’s rear seats offer improved body retention with better side bolster support and also offer available rear-seat heating. Avalon seating surfaces are covered with a medium grain, genuine leather material or available premium leather with a finer grain.

The door panels are designed to help enhance the elegant nature of the interior while offering improved armrest comfort by incorporating foam that is 6mm (0.23 inch) thicker than on the previous model. The door panel is also covered by durable synthetic leather with ornate stitching that matches the armrests. The available door panel pull cups are made of a premium soft-touch material, and available LED lighting illuminates the door panel’s controls. Smoked chrome bezels and plated accents adorn the inside door handles and power window switch bezels to help improve appearance. The power-window actuation is handled by a variable-rate window motor that slows the window as it approaches the top of the window frame to help reduce wind noise and add refinement and includes a window obstruction feature that reverses window operation when an object is detected.

Beyond styling, the Avalon interior remains highly functional with abundant and improved storage space. Located beneath the HVAC controls in the center console is the electronics storage tray. This new tray design allows storage for two devices (cellphones or iPod for instance) side-by-side on a premium, higher friction surface. Charging jacks are located below the tray that can be opened and closed with cables passing neatly through the cable slot cut into the bottom of the tray. The tray is also illuminated by LED light for improved night visibility managing cables. Beneath this tray is an electronics storage box where devices can also be stored completely out of sight while charging. Two DC 12V power outlets, an AUX and a USB jack are accessible in the storage box.

For the Avalon Limited, the two chrome-decorated cup holders located in the center console are lit by LED ambient lighting. The lighting volume for the cup holders can be adjusted in three levels by operating the switch on the overhead console.

A large-capacity rear console box is big enough to store a tissue box and also includes a detachable sliding tray to store smaller items. The convenient sliding armrest lid covering the storage box offers up to 41mm (1.61 inches) of travel to more comfortably function as an armrest, and can be opened and closed in any position. The storage box also contains another 12V DC outlet to facilitate charging or powering accessories. To the left of the steering wheel is a coin box that can be actuated by push button control and utilizes a damper mechanism to help achieve smoother opening and closing. The new Avalon is equipped with a 0.24-cu.-ft. (6.9-liter) glove box with detachable tray can be locked with a key for security. The glove box is illuminated with LED light. The 2013 Avalon offers 16.0-cu. ft. of luggage capacity.

Powertrains
A primary focus for the new Avalon was to enhance its dynamic character while maintaining superior fuel economy. The challenge was met by the Toyota Technical Center (TTC) engineering team by utilizing a proven V6 to achieve better performance with superior fuel economy.  The Avalon features a powerful, all-aluminum 3.5-liter V6 engine mated to a conventional six-speed automatic transmission.

V6 Engine
The Avalon utilizes a 3.5-liter, 90-degree, DOHC, six-cylinder engine that features Dual VVT-i (Variable Valve Timing with intelligence) to help offer superior power and efficiency by optimizing the intake and exhaust valve events to increase engine performance across the entire rev range. This robust V6 produces 268 horsepower at 6,200 rpm and 248 lbs.-ft. of torque at 4,700 rpm, and provides the new Avalon with competitive acceleration and a 0-to-60 mph time estimated at less than seven seconds. The fact that this brisk acceleration occurs with a more fuel-economy friendly 3.46-to-1 final gear ratio as compared to a 3.69 final gear ratio on the outgoing model is testament to the Avalon’s weight reduction and improved drivetrain tuning.

The V6-powered Avalon features a hydraulic automatic transmission that has been optimized for improved fuel economy and performance from a lightweight front-wheel-drive transaxle. The transmission can be shifted from D mode into S mode on the shift gate, where shifts can be actuated with + or – shifts of the lever. The Sport mode adopts highly responsive upshift control and throttle blipping downshift control, which are adopted for quicker shifting performance. Steering-wheel-mounted paddle shifters help actuate fast, responsive shifts while keeping both hands on the wheel. The transmission response is further enhanced by utilization of a faster-locking torque converter that locks up early even in second gear. The transmission is also kept at an optimal temperature for consistent performance with an automatic transmission fluid warmer. The shift gate is actuated by a lever and shift knob that is covered by either standard leather or premium leather.

The Avalon offers three drive modes: Eco, Normal and Sport. The Eco Mode prioritizes fuel efficiency by balancing driving performance, air conditioning function and fuel efficiency. It reduces driving force when accelerating at low speeds to enhance fuel efficiency. Sport mode helps create a more engaging driving experience by enhancing the Electric Power Steering effort and a more direct, responsive steering feel. It also adjusts throttle response to help increase the sensation of the engine’s torque response during acceleration.

The drivetrain offers superior efficiency and performance for a premium mid-size sedan, with combined city/highway fuel efficiency of 8.3L/100km.

Steering and Handling
The TTC engineering team put great effort toward re-inventing Avalon’s road-going character with a dramatic revision of the chassis. The new 2013 Avalon will offer vastly elevated levels of control and handling thanks to revised suspension.  To take advantage of the new platform’s increased rigidity, the suspension tuning has been dramatically revised. The front Macpherson strut suspension is tuned to provide outstanding ride comfort, but also flat cornering with enhanced agility. Inversely wound coil springs are matched to dampers that help control the wheels with improved steering feel across a variety of surfaces. The rigidity of the 25mm (0.98 inch) diameter front stabilizer bar and a 16mm (0.63-inch) rear bar promotes flatter cornering.

The dual-link rear suspension design helps the vehicle achieve an ideal balance between ride quality and handling precision. This suspension design offers a reduced toe-in angle during turning and braking to help improve rear stability. Pillow ball joints are adopted in one of the suspension arms to help enhance handling precision. Though the Avalon rides on a long, comfortable 2820mm (111-inch) wheelbase, the steering and suspension tuning help the car feel agile and nimble.

The Avalon’s electric power steering system (EPS) has incorporated tuning to improve feel while reducing engine driven accessories to help improve fuel economy. This electric rack and pinion system’s power assist has been optimized in response to vehicle speed to create a lighter effort sensation at lower speeds and increased effort and on-center feel at higher speeds. The system without speed variable influence requires 2.85 turns from lock to lock. The Avalon steering column offers both tilt and telescopic features, and it can be adjusted plus or minus (+ /–) 20mm (0.78 inch) from its neutral position for tilt and telescopic directions.

The Avalon’s steering wheel has been designed to help improve the driver’s tactile feel and control, enhancing driver confidence behind the wheel. The steering wheel’s shape, grip and tactile feel helps create enhanced grip to improve the driving sensation. Standard smooth, premium leather and padded foam help finish the steering wheel. It also includes a four-direction audio switch to enhance operability, in addition to a cruise control switch, DISP (Display) and TEL (Telephone switch). The steering wheel offers buttons for voice recognition, vehicle-to-vehicle distance switch for available Dynamic Radar Cruise Control. Large paddle-shift toggles attached to the steering wheel help enhance driver control during spirited driving.

Advanced Technology
The new 2013 Avalon offers a long list of convenient, user-friendly technologies as one would expect with the Toyota brand’s flagship sedan, in addition to offering special features that enhance the car’s functionality, capability and the level of safety.

There are two types of climate control systems: one with three-zone independent temperature control and another with two-zone temperature control. The three zone system allows for temperature to be independently set for rear seat, driver seat, and passenger seat; while the two-zone system controls temperature for the driver and passenger seat. The new, highly efficient HVAC system adopts increased diameter ducting, which has been reduced in length and curvature to reduce pressure losses and minimize load on the compressor. A partial air recirculation door has been adopted for the air conditioner unit to help enhance air-heating performance. The HVAC control panel incorporates new capacitive switches located under the grained panel surface. The innovative controls have been tuned to operate conveniently with a light touch, and can even be operated by hands with gloves or longer fingernails. The HVAC fan speed is operated by use of a responsive touch slide. A TFT (Thin-film Transistor) color display is also available as the HVAC display, while a vacuum fluorescent display is standard equipped. A rear HVAC control panel is available on the back of the center console for the three-zone system.

The Avalon features a standard Display Audio System with 6.1-inch TFT touchscreen that offers audio system operation, Bluetooth compatibility, customizable vehicle settings, rear-camera display, driving information such as fuel consumption, and operation of iPod® and USB devices. The Avalon Limited with Premium Package adds JBL audio, but keeps the 6.1” display audio system.

The new Avalon is equipped standard with a Smart Key System that locks and unlocks the front doors, and a trunk opening feature that enables opening of the doors when the key fob is within a short distance of the door handle. The key fob’s transmitter also allows the engine to be started with the push of a button. The Avalon is equipped with an available rear window power shade that blocks direct sun rays for the rear passengers. The switch activating the power shade is located above the coin box on the instrument panel, and the shade adopts an auto-down function when shifting into reverse. A lighter weight power sunroof design has been adopted to help reduce vehicle weight. The inner rear-view mirror has a variety of functions such as a microphone, a compass display and a garage door opener. LED backlighting helps ensure visibility of the buttons in the dark.

Safety Technology
Avalon is available with two millimeter wave radar systems that help add an additional measure of occupant safety. An available Blind Spot Monitor uses radar to enhance safety by helping detect vehicles in the adjacent lane where drivers may be challenged to see them. The same radar technology has been adapted to offer a Rear Cross Traffic Alert that is designed to detect low-speed cross traffic behind the vehicle. The Blind Spot Monitor indicators are on the outside mirrors’ surfaces with a display that also appears on the color display, and it can be activated from the blind spot monitor switch on the instrument panel. For the Blind Spot Monitor, the millimeter wave radar sensors are tuned to detect vehicles larger than 125-cc motorcycles at over 10 mph, with a maximum detectable speed differential of 43.2 km/h (26.8 mph). The system’s detection range spans from about 3m (10 feet) to 0.5m (2 feet) depending on vehicle location.

The Avalon’s Rear Cross Traffic alert uses the sensors in the rear quarter panels to help detect vehicles approaching from the side and behind the vehicle. If cars are approaching within the detection area, a buzzer will sound. The vehicle shift lever must be in Reverse to detect cars, trucks, vans and any vehicle over 125cc motorcycle. The maximum speed of the Avalon can be five mph with a maximum speed of the approaching vehicle not to exceed 18 mph. The system continuously measures the relative speed and position of the approaching vehicle to calculate a potential collision moment, which is the expected time that the vehicle will cross the driver’s path.

The Avalon also includes a back monitor display, which uses guidelines superimposed on the display to indicate approximate distances.

A Dynamic Radar Cruise Control feature is also available that helps reduce the driver’s workload by using radar sensor at the front of the vehicle to help control speed and keep a safe distance from the vehicle running in front. The radar controls the vehicle speed within a preset range to help maintain vehicle to vehicle distance.

Like all Toyota models, the Avalon features the Star Safety System, which includes Vehicle Stability Control (VSC), Traction Control (TRAC), Anti-lock Brake System (ABS), Electronic Brake Force Distribution (EBD), Brake Assist (BA), and Smart Stop Technology (SST).

Avalon Structure
The Avalon relies on a lightweight but highly rigid body structure to help its handling performance and safety. Considerably more high-tensile steel is utilized in the structure, while increasing the number of welds in the front and rear door openings has helped enhance unibody rigidity. The ridgeline of the upper-back reinforcement beneath the rear window deck has also helped improved rear structural rigidity. A larger, rear partition panel bracket also helps improve rear-area rigidity and enhance suspension performance.

The 2013 Avalon unibody is designed to absorb and effectively dissipate frontal, side, and roof impacts to minimize cabin deformity and offer occupants superior protection. Equipped with 10 standard airbags, Toyota feels that new Avalon will be highly rated by both NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration), and IIHS (Insurance Institute for Highway Safety).

The additional rigidity and chassis strength does not carry a weight penalty. Thanks to the lightweight steel and intelligent engineering, the Avalon has a curb weight of 1,590kg (3,505 lbs). The reduction in mass is beneficial to handling, fuel economy, and overall performance.

The exterior body panels are formed from a highly rust-resistant sheet metal to enhance vehicle durability. Chip-resistant primer and anti-chipping tape have been used in vulnerable areas on the body. The rocker panel has been urethane treated to help resist corrosion.

Engineers have sought to create a quiet, refined interior compartment for Avalon where occupants can enjoy conversation and in-car electronics. To that end, reduction of noise has been realized with the help of various counter measures. Sound-absorbing and sound-insulating materials have been strategically placed throughout the instrument panel to help insure quietness. Sound-absorbing material has also been applied to the doors, rear-pillar garnish, roof lining, transmission tunnel, luggage compartment, and package tray to help better control sound entering the cabin.

The EVA (Ethylene-Vinyl Acetate copolymer) material used in the rear seats is also effective at sound insulation. Acoustic-type glass is used for the windshield and side glass to help control noise entering the cabin. Foam material has been used within the body frame A-pillar, B-pillar, rocker panel, and C-pillar to help eliminate outside noise and control wind noise. Additional sound-controlling material has been placed at the sealing sections of the front doors and lower parts of the rear doors to control sound entering the cabin. BA

Braking
The Avalon’s vented front rotor measures 296 mm (11.6 inches) in diameter and 28 mm (1.1 inches) thick, and the solid rear rotor is 281 mm (11 inches) in diameter.

The 2013 Avalon is available with a pre-collision system that helps mitigate the effects of vehicle impact. The first stage of the pre-collision system tightens the seat belts and primes the hydraulic brake system, and the second stage can compensate for inadequate brake pedal pressure by applying optimal brake system effort.

 

Packaging

The 2013 Toyota Avalon is available in two models:

The 2013 Toyota Avalon is coming to Toyota Dealers soon.

 

About Toyota Canada:

Toyota Canada Inc. (TCI) is the exclusive Canadian distributor of Toyota, Lexus and Scion cars, SUVs and trucks. Toyota is the first full-line manufacturer to make all of the elements of the Star Safety System standard on every vehicle starting in 2011. The Star Safety System includes Vehicle Stability Control (VSC), Traction Control (TRAC), Anti-lock Brake System (ABS), Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD), Brake Assist (BA) and Smart Stop Technology (SST). TCI’s head office is in Toronto, with regional offices in Vancouver, Calgary, Montreal and Halifax and parts distribution centres in Toronto and Vancouver.