Toyota TRD Aurion Race

Toyota is set to return to one of Australia’s iconic motorsport events in 2008, tackling the legendary Targa Tasmania with a TRD Aurion. It will be the first time since 2003 that Toyota Australia has entered a car in the tarmac rally and will mark the first competitive outing for the TRD-designed-and-built 3.5-litre, supercharged V6 Aurion.

Toyota will enter a standard TRD Aurion prepared by the team at Neal Bates Motorsport – the same group behind Toyota’s multiple-championship-winning TRD rally outfit. Former Targa winner Bates was an integral part of TRD Aurion’s development and believes the car has the potential to knock off some of its race-bred competitors.

“We have only made minor modifications to the standard car, like fitting a roll cage, racing seats and safety equipment,” said Neal Bates. “TRD Aurion was developed over roads like those found on Targa Tasmania so it will be great to see it being driven at its maximum.” Although TRD Aurion will be competing against cars specifically designed for racing, Bates believes it can finish inside the top 15.

“Targa is an event I absolutely love and the team’s ultimate aim is to finish inside the top 10 outright. It would be an amazing performance if we could achieve it,” said Bates. “The entire team is very excited about returning to Targa as we haven’t done a tarmac event in a while.”

The car is set to run in the Modern category of Targa’s 17th edition. Targa Tasmania will provide Toyota Australia with an idea of TRD Aurion’s potential for future motorsport events.

Toyota’s last entry in the iconic tarmac rally was in 2003 with a Camry Sportivo and involved two greats of world motorsport. The car was piloted by the legendary Colin Bond, with the former ‘Voice of Formula One’, commentator Murray Walker, acting as co-driver.

Mazda 3 MPS Extreme

Mazda has today unveiled the third in its series of extreme cars, a modified version of the high-performance Mazda3 Mazda Performance Series (MPS), at the 2007 Sydney Motorshow. Based on the top-selling Sports Pack luxury specification, the Mazda3 MPS Extreme has received engine, suspension and exhaust upgrades that improve the performance of the world’s quickest hot-hatch by about twenty per cent.

Modified by Mazda Australia Motorsport Manager, Allan Horsley, this extreme makeover involves a recalculation to the car’s Powertrain Control Module (PCM), allowing its standard 2.3-litre DISI turbo engine to generate a massive 210kW of power at 5300rpm and 425Nm of torque at 4400rpm. Other modifications to the Mazda3 MPS include a free-flowing two-inch exhaust system and a sports muffler that will give this extreme car a suitability throaty exhaust note.

The car’s suspension system has been redesigned by one of Australia’s best suspension tuners, Murray Coote, and it now sits 25mm lower than the standard model, giving the car a more aggressive, sporty stance. Coote, whose suspension systems sit beneath some of Australia’s leading rally and racing cars, configured a suspension package that maintains the sharply responsive handling of the Mazda3 MPS while complementing its new found power boost.The luxury hatch’s standard 18-inch alloy wheels have been upsized to 19-inch BBS Motorsport wheels with Dunlop Sports (225/35ZR19) complete with a MPS monogram on the wheel centerpiece.

Cosmetically, its aggressive extreme look is created by a True Red body colour with black stripes, mimicking the white stripes seen on Mazda’s Targa racing cars, and a black roof and rear spoiler. Other alternations include extended black wheel arches to accommodate its larger wheels and tinted windows.

Inside the Mazda3 MPS Extreme’s Sports Pack brings black leather trim is accentuated by exclusive red leather trimming. The red theme continues with red highlights in the dash, gear-shift knob and steering wheel and doors trimmings.

The car’s stopping power is generated through the state-of-art braking system found on the standard Mazda3 MPS. Its front disc brakes are 320mm in diameter and are ventilated, while the rear brakes are 280mm in diameter. An 8-9 inch tandem booster, along with a larger master cylinder, four-channel ABS, electronic brake distribution (EBD), electronic brake assist all contribute to the Mazda3 MPS Extreme’s effective braking performance.

Other safety features on the Mazda3 MPS Extreme include six airbags (dual front, front side and head protecting curtain airbags), a collapsible brake pedal and front and rear passenger seatbelt reminders as well as Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) with a Traction Control System (TCS).

“Creating an extreme version of our signature hot-hatch really is a case of making a great car even greater,” says Horsley, the brains behind Mazda Australia’s formidable RX-7 SP and MX-5 SP variants. “As proof of the standard car’s abilities it finished a stunning tenth outright at this year’s Targa Tasmania rally and first in the event’s Showroom category, needless to say the Mazda3 MPS Extreme lifts the performance bar on an already outstanding vehicle.”

Other extreme vehicles produced by Mazda Australia include a turbo-charged version of Mazda’s signature sports car, RX-8, in 2004 and a rally-ready Mazda2 in 2005.

“Mazda Australia, under the direction of Allan Horsley, has an excellent reputation of pushing the envelope in the design and modification of high-performance cars,” says Mazda Australia’s managing director Doug Dickson. “To build an extreme version of our signature hot-hatch is very fitting as it builds on the company’s racing heritage as well as celebrating the sales success of the current car.”

Also making its Australian premiere today was the next example of Mazda’s second generation Zoom-Zoom product, the all-new Mazda6, while the company’s first seven-seat crossover CX-9 made its first Sydney motor show appearance.

Suzuki Swift RE1 Rally Edition

Inspired by the Swift’s domination of this year’s Junior World Rally Championship, Suzuki Australia has launched a special Swift RE1 Rally Edition at this year’s Australian International Motor Show. The limited edition Swift RE1 comes complete with $4000 of extra features, but attracts a price premium of just $1000.

Included in the Swift RE1 pack are body coloured side skirts, body coloured rear upper spoiler, an upgrade to the premium sound kit with six stack in-dash CD, ROH alloy rims and unique RE1 decals.

“The Swift has truly been one of the great automotive success stories in recent years, and this year has racked up almost 1200 sales each month, virtually all to private buyers,” said Suzuki Australia General Manager Tony Devers.

“In spite of a host of new competitors from around the globe, the Swift has cemented itself as one of the benchmark small cars in Australia. Now to celebrate the Swift’s imminent success in the 2007 JWRC title race, Suzuki Australia is proud to honor that achievement with a sporty, rally inspired limited edition model. Just 600 Swift RE1 cars will go on sale. With $3000 of value-packed accessories, it represents an outstanding opportunity to get behind the wheel and discover why the Swift has established itself as one of Australia’s most popular small cars,” said Devers.

Source: Suzuki

Toyota’s FT-MV Concept

The FT-MV makes its presence felt as a first-class, new-generation minivan.

* Boasts a bold, vibrant and stately exterior.
* Includes luxurious, second-row seats with fully automatic ottomans, using soft ambient lighting to create an elegant space.

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Toyota Crown Hybrid Concept

The CROWN HYBRID CONCEPT’s latest hybrid system, VDIM (Vehicle Dynamics Integrated Management) and other features, result in an advanced fusion of driving, environmental and safety performance. The time has come to present the next-generation inspirational luxury sedan.

* Comes with THS II**, which has a two-stage motor speed reduction device that helps achieve distinctively smooth acceleration, high fuel efficiency, low CO2 and other exhaust emissions and quietness.
* Adopts a TFT (thin film transistor) LCD “Finegraphic Meter” to provide the driver with a variety of information in an easier-to-see and easier-to-understand way.
* Ensures excellent vehicle stability and a high level of preventive safety through VDIM with active steering control, to achieve optimal balance among drive power, steering and braking.
* Employs 10 SRS (Supplemental Restraint System) airbags for outstanding safety performance.

** Toyota Hybrid System

Source: Toyota

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