History of the Toyota Avalon

[Ratko]

HISTORY OF THE AVALON

Chronology:

1995 - Introduced as top-of-line replacement for Cressida.

1995 - Named "Best Buy in the Luxury Car Segment" Consumer's Digest

1997 - Receives new alloy wheel design, additional options.

1997 - Among "Best Buys" Consumer's Digest

1998 - Facelifted front and rear fascia, addition of side airbags.

1998 - Among "Best Buys" Consumer's Digest

1998 - "Best Overall Value in Large Class" IntelliChoice, Inc. Complete Car Cost Guide

1999 - "Best Overall Value in Large Class" IntelliChoice, Inc. Complete Car Cost Guide

1999 - "Top Three Vehicles in APEAL, Premium Midsize" J.D. Power

2000 - Second generation Avalon introduced

2000 - Rated "Best of 2000" by the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy

2000 - "Best Buy" Consumer's Digest

2000 - "Best Large Car Value" - IntelliChoice

2001 - EPA rated "Most Fuel Efficient"

2001 - Consumer Reports names Avalon "Best Large Sedan"

2001 AutoPacific's Vehicle Satisfaction Score (VSS) award for Premium Mid-Size Car

2001 CY 2001 Womanmotorist.com's Reader's Choice Awards First Place for Full-Size Sedan

2002 CY 2002 AutoPacific's Vehicle Satisfaction Score (VSS) award for Luxury/Large Car

2002 CY 2002 Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) names Avalon "Best Pick."

2002 Intellichoice Best Overall Value Large Class

2002 - CY 2001 Womanmotorist.com Reader's Choice Awards First Place for Full-Size Sedan

2003 - Minor changes to exterior front grille and taillamps, new standard features.


History:

When the Cressida was dropped from the Toyota lineup in 1991, the Camry XLE V6 took its place as Toyota's flagship sedan. When the Avalon debuted in Fall, 1995, it introduced an all-new class of car for Toyota, representing the next level of quality, comfort and refinement. Avalon was the most sophisticated, spacious and best-equipped sedan ever offered by the manufacturer. In fact, when equipped with the optional 50/50 power-operated split bench front seat, Avalon is capable of seating six (grown) adults.

Built exclusively at Toyota Motor Manufacturing (TMM) in Georgetown, Ky., Avalon was produced with the needs and desires of the American public in mind. Much of the design of both the interior and exterior was performed by the Toyota Technical Centers (TTC) in Michigan, Arizona and California.

Avalon was powered by a version of the 3.0-liter, 24-valve, all-aluminum V6 engine that was in the Camry. With its 192-horsepower engine (more than the Camry due to different intake and exhaust plumbing), four-speed automatic transmission and superior aerodynamics, Avalon's fuel economy was on par with Camry.

All Avalons were equipped with standard dual airbags, and offered ABS as an option.

The 1997 Avalon continued on essentially unchanged, but revised intake and exhaust plumbing resulted in a horsepower increase to 200, up seven. Available for the first time is traction control and standard ABS on all models.

For 1998, Avalon saw its first minor change with the introduction of chrome front and rear fascia trim, bodyside molding and license plate bezel. The grille was revised and multi-reflector headlights provided better illumination. The trunk lid incorporated a spoiler-like design, and the jeweled taillights were also new. On the inside, side airbags were made standard, as were pretensioner seatbelts with force-limiters. Optionally available were heated seats with two-position memory. The chassis also underwent extensive reinforcement, resulting in less torsional flex, lower NVH and improved crash worthiness.

For 2000, Avalon entered its second-generation roomier, more powerful and more technically advanced than its predecessor.

The Avalon has always been a vehicle of firsts for Toyota. It was the first Toyota vehicle built exclusively in America. It was the first true joint venture between Toyota Motor Corporation (TMC) of Japan and Toyota Technical Center (TTC) of America. And, it was the first Toyota product to be classified as a "domestic" vehicle according to CAFú standards. Now the all-new Avalon is the first Toyota vehicle with both a Japanese and an American chief engineer. Furthermore, the all-new Avalon styling was designed at Toyota California design studio in Newport Beach, Calif.

The 2000 Avalon was powered by an improved 3.0-liter V6 engine with Variable Valve Timing (VVT-i) that generated more horsepower and torque, higher fuel efficiency and lower emissions. The engine produced 210 horsepower at 5,800 rpm and 220 lbs./ft. of torque at 4,400 rpm. Estimated city/highway fuel economy was 21/29 mpg.

All Avalons featured dual front- and side-airbag systems as standard equipment and offer vehicle skid control, traction control and Brake assist as options.

The 2001 Avalon carried over unchanged from the second-generation Avalon full-size sedan.

The elegantly styled 2002 Avalon continued on unchanged, with the exception of a new color, Stratosphere Mica.

The Avalon entered the 2003 model year with minor changes to the exterior and upgrades to the interior. It featured a new grille, wider lower air intake with a new design for fog lamps, revised tail lamp configuration. The XLS was upgraded with numerous standard features including driver's side electrochromic mirror, leather-wrapped steering wheel with wood grain-style trim, available remote controlled DVD navigation system, rain-sensing windshield wipers and new 16" alloy wheels. The XL grade featured a newly designed multi-information display and perforated leather trim is available.

The Avalon carries over unchanged for the 2004 model year with the exception of Vehicle Stability Control (VSC) now available as an option on XL models.

What does it mean?

Avalon: Portrays images of comfort, spaciousness and sophistication.

Where is it built?

All Avalons are built at Toyota Motor Manufacturing in Georgetown, Ky.

**NOTE: All chronology dates are model year, unless noted otherwise. CY refers to "Calendar Year."**

[sloopercat]

http://www.answers.com/topic/toyota-avalon

Who would thave thought that the Gen1 Avalon was made in Australia through 2005?

[racecraze]

Its really nice to study this history of Avalon.

[Carcrazy1]

Thanks for the details

[84Cressida]

Originally Posted by Ratko

When the Cressida was dropped from the Toyota lineup in 1991, the Camry XLE V6 took its place as Toyota's flagship sedan. When the Avalon debuted in Fall, 1995, it introduced an all-new class of car for Toyota,

The Cressida was dropped in 1992, both for the Calendar Year and Model year. The Avalon debuted as a '95 model, but it came out in the Spring of '94.

[kjc983]

thanks for the history my uncle has one still running perfect with 325xxx on it. Just bought my first car YUP its a 95 Avalon!

[Joey Essex]

This is very educational and intuitive. Thanks for posting.