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Toyota Australia Design And Engineering Capacity Creates X-Runner LSV For Melbourne Motor Show
Toyota Australia's design development and engineering team has served notice that it can create passionate and exciting motor vehicles with the debut of the X-Runner lifestyle sports vehicle (LSV) at the Melbourne Motor Show.
The breakthrough Avalon-based all-wheel-drive X-Runner was developed and built by a team from Toyota Australia's Technical Centre in Melbourne as a project designed to showcase the expertise of Toyota's local engineering capability.
Furthermore, it is an expression of Toyota's innovation that is bred from its dominance of the dynamic and increasingly competitive SUV market.
Associate Director and Divisional General Manager Product Engineering Max Gillard said that the X-Runner demonstrated what could be done with the vision and commitment of a group of young, highly skilled, motivated designers and engineers who are given a clean sheet of paper and asked to create an exciting vehicle meeting the aspirations of Australian customers.
"This project was a first for Toyota Australia. Our primary goal was to generate enthusiasm and show that by harnessing the dreams and initiative of our people and by tapping into the best of Toyota's global technology and resources, we could design and build a unique vehicle that reflects the Australian lifestyle. Melbourne Motor Show
"The Toyota Modular Platform used on Avalon was accepted as the starting point for X-Runner. From there, the team reviewed the market, established a theoretical target customer and developed a vehicle concept and specification to suit. We avoided a 'me too' approach by deciding to create a new path with this concept car and the X-Runner is the result."
The original idea for the development of the X-Runner came from Toyota Australia President Ken Asano early in 2002. Following from the successful development of the new Camry, Mr Asano wanted to present a unique challenge to the local design and engineering team.
"The Camry and Avalon vehicles that we produce in Australia are global models that we expertly modify for market conditions in Australia and our export destinations," Mr Gillard said.
"Of course, this is our core responsibility, but it is important for our future that we undertake projects to enhance our capabilities and our ability to be innovative.
"The X-Runner project was conceived as a project that would do just that, and allow the team to become completely immersed in new ideas, challenges and innovations which would come to life in the form of a concept vehicle."
Team members used the project as an opportunity to gain exposure and experience in areas that were not normally part of their day-to-day activities.Melbourne Motor Show
This approach ensured the project remained fresh and allowed ideas to be considered that might not normally be part of a development brief. So many new frontiers were crossed that it has proved to be an invaluable learning and growth experience for everyone involved.
"It was the sense of pioneering spirit that resulted in the team developing the concept for X-Runner.of this Lifestyle Sports Vehicle (LSV). They took the idea even further by integrating the vehicle into a lifestyle theme. We decided on the concept of 'adventure partnerships' and selected a mountain bike theme," Mr Gillard said.
The support of other Toyota Australia operations was critical to the success of the project, in particular, the Altona manufacturing plant and Toyota Conversions and Accessories team known as T-CAM.
"A further objective was to involve our suppliers so they and their employees could share in these breakthrough opportunities. As a result, 11 of our suppliers joined this project as technical partners, which provided the benefit of strengthening already strong relationships. Overall, it was a great example of cooperation.
These suppliers included: Australian Arrow (GPS); Autofab (fabrics) Bosch (parking sensors); Dunlop (tyres); Du Pont and PPG (paint); Fujitsu (audio system); Hella (lights); LNA (badges); PBR (brakes); and Schefenaker (interior and exterior mirrors).
"It has also shown many people inside Toyota that the company possesses and encourages outstanding people who relish the opportunity to extend themselves and create something special from their own vision."
X-Runner has been designed as a sophisticated, environmentally sensitive lifestyle all-wheel drive vehicle. The vehicle on display at the Melbourne Motor Show carries two mountain bikes and a GPS tracking system with a 17-inch plasma screen to monitor the position of the cyclists.
The Toyota Modular Platform used for the X-Runner project is currently used at Toyota's Altona manufacturing plant to produce Avalon and Camry and many 'off the shelf' Avalon components were incorporated into the vehicle. The wheelbase has been extended by 150mm and the vehicle converted to all-wheel drive.Melbourne Motor Show
X-Runner uses the proven Toyota 3.0 litre all-alloy VVT-i engine equipped with Toyota's own supercharger which is coupled to an existing 4x4 drivetrain.
Disclaimer: The X-Runner vehicle was designed and produced by expert Toyota engineers and suppliers as a concept vehicle only. Toyota does not recommend any modification to its vehicles which results in them departing from manufacturer's specifications.
Concept Car Built In Australia
A supercharged three-litre VVT-i equipped all-alloy Quad Cam V6 engine powers Toyota Australia's first in-house concept vehicle - the most powerful engine ever fitted to an Australian built Toyota.
Its supercharger, sourced from Toyota performance equipment specialist TRD USA, is belt driven by the V6 engine's crankshaft.
The breakthrough all-wheel-drive X-Runner Llifestyle Ssports Vvehicle(LSV) was conceived and developed at Toyota Australia's Technical Centre in Melbourne.
Toyota maintained the X-Runner's Avalon character by using the Avalon front cabin, bonnet and headlamps. The project's scope was extended through the opportunity to access Toyota's global technology and resources.
Toyota Australia also locally re-engineered X-Runner's platform to extend the wheelbase by 150mm and accept all-wheel-drive underpinnings.
The X-Runner maintains the underbody of the Avalon TMP (Toyota Modular Platform) to the rear wheel arch.
The extra 150mm wheelbase added to the modular platform at the front of the rear wheel arch maximises X-Runner's rear deck length and improves vehicle weight distribution.
The vehicle's potent V6 engine is matched to a four-speed electronically controlled automatic transmission which delivers power to all four wheels through a viscous coupled centre differential.
The front suspension is independent strut type.
The torsion beam rear suspension is based on a 4WD Toyota Tarago - with specially wound coil springs and new damper units. It completes the modified rear of the platform.
The rear bodywork was specially fabricated for the project.
It is fixed to a space frame structure fabricated by engineers at the Toyota Technical Centre.
A high-performance PBR brake package including four channel, four sensor ABS takes advantage of X-Runner's specially designed six-spoke 19-inch alloy wheels.
Laser-cut 245/45 R19 Dunlop tyres feature a tread pattern which reproduces the three ellipse Toyota logo.
Specially commissioned components and finishes include the alloy wheels, brake package, tyres, exterior mirrors, GPS, interior fabrics and paint treatment.
SPECIFICATIONS
| Engine: | Quad Cam 3.0-litre all-alloy V6, with VVT-i and supercharger |
| Transmission: | Four-speed electronically controlled automatic |
| Driveline: | Four-wheel drive with viscous-coupled centre differential |
| Steering: | Power-assisted rack and pinion with variable gear ratio system |
| Front brakes: | 355mm diameter ventilated discs with twin-piston calipers |
| Rear brakes: | 343mm diameter ventilated discs with single-piston calipers |
| ABS: | Four-channel, four-sensor |
| Front suspension: | Independent struts with coil springs, hydraulic dampers and ball-joint linked stabiliser bar |
| Rear suspension: | Torsion beam axle with coil springs, hydraulic dampers and internal stabiliser bar |
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| Wheels: | 19 x 8 aluminium alloy |
| Tyres: | Dunlop 245/45 R 19 |
| Overall Length: | 4905mm |
| Overall Width: | 1910mm |
| Overall Height: | 1520mm |
| Wheelbase: | 2870mm |
| Front track: | 1610mm |
| Rear track: | 1660mm |
| Kerb weight: | 1710Kg |
| Seating capacity: | 2 |
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Toyota Launches All-New Prado At Melbourne Motor Show
Toyota has Revealed its all-new full-framed LandCruiser Prado 4WD range to the public for the first time at the Melbourne Motor Show.
The new Prado was designed to "drive like a sports car" - with a flat ride, supple ride comfort and well-damped body control.
Toyota claims the eight-seat Prado has improved interior space, on and off-road performance, steering, ride and handling, safety and comfort.
It also has improved environmental friendliness and reduced noise, vibration and harshness levels.
The new Prado range will start at a reduced recommended retail price of $38,990 for the GX four cylinder model with manual transmission.
The high volume GX V6 has a recommended retail price of $43,390, the GXL V6 comes in at $52,360 and the top of the range Toyota Prado Grande at $71,990.
The second-generation Prado range has a package of leading-edge Toyota-developed Driver-Assist Technology - to improve on and off-road safety and comfort.
The Driver-Assist Technology package includes the breakthrough feature of Hill-start Assist Control and the most precise Downhill Assist Control on the 4WD market.
It also includes second-generation Active Traction Control and Vehicle Stability Control.
Top-of-the-range Prado Grande has electronically controlled rear air suspension and second-generation Toyota Electronically Modulated Suspension (TEMS) - the most advanced semi-active suspension system offered on a 4WD wagon.
Prado's all-new body was designed at Toyota's European Design studio.
It offers improved aerodynamics and package efficiency, with a longer wheelbase and increased second-row legroom.
There are three engines, including an all-alloy 4.0-litre VVT-i equipped Quad Cam V6 that delivers 179kW of power and 376Nm (A/T) of torque.
Prado's four-cylinder petrol and turbo-diesel engines have been upgraded to improve driveability and emissions.
Prado's new auto transmission has a gated shift and its new two-speed full-time 4WD transfer has a newly adopted torque-sensing centre differential.
The second-generation LandCruiser Prado's design brief included a full-frame, for optimum on and off-road capability.
It is matched to a new chassis package, for improved steering, handling, stability and ride.
The new suspension and variable-ratio rack and pinion steering provides improved stability and handling - while improving ride comfort.
All 12 new Prado models have dual SRS airbags, full-time 4WD and eight seats - with a three-point seatbelt and separate head restraint for every seat.
Camry-Based Sports Car A Taste Of Things To Come
Melbourne motoring enthusiasts will get their first look at a new locally-built sports car at Toyota's 2003 Melbourne Motor Show display.
The Toyota Camry Sportivo-based SP9R two-seater sports car is built in Mitcham by former Australian champion driver Alan Hamilton.
It uses a number of Camry Sportivo components, including the light but powerful 2.4-litre VVT-i equipped twin-cam engine built by Toyota at its Altona plant.
All the major mechanical components in the SP9R are sourced from Camry Sportivo.
Hamilton created the SP9R as an affordable race vehicle, but also intends making a limited number of cars available for road use.
Hamilton said that the affordability of the vehicle was only possible because of the local Camry manufacturing program, which provides top quality components at a reasonable price and with an assurance of reliability.
The Camry Sportivo engine, gearbox, clutch and differential are moved to the rear in the SP9R, behind the occupants and driving the rear wheels.
"The locally-made all-alloy 2.4-litre twin-cam engine is the lightest production engine of its size in the world - at just 115kg," Hamilton said.
"That is a huge plus for the power-to-weight ratio and also the balance of the car."
Hamilton hopes to make the vehicles the centrepiece of a one-make sports car series in 2004.
Running costs are estimated to be half that of other entry-level race series without compromising the technical challenges of modern motor racing.
The design of the SP9R ensures that racers will become familiar with using the latest electronic systems, such as data acquisition and electronic engine management control.
SP9R is an undertaking of Alan Hamilton. Toyota Australia is providing him suspension, steering and drivetrain components on a commercial basis.
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