Kluger gets SpongeBobbed

Toyota’s North American arm will hit the road with a SpongeBob SquarePants-inspired version of its next-generation Highlander, which will replace the Kluger in Australia next February.

Created as the centrepiece of a nation-wide publicity stunt to promote the new Highlander, as it’s known in the US, the one-off SpongeBob-themed seven-seat crossover was unveiled during Nickelodeon’s SpongeBob Day at the Padres versus Giants baseball game in San Diego, California on July 13.

The unique 2104 Highlander, which features a custom-made exterior wrap and interior colour scheme based on the popular kids’ cartoon character, will then embark on a cross-country ‘Happy Driving!’ promotion this (US) summer.

The seven-stop road trip will offer families the chance to meet SpongeBob characters, win SpongeBob Toyota Highlander-branded prizes, wear airbrushed tattoos and create SpongeBob images to share online.

Roadshow locations will include Nickelodeon Suites Resort in Orlando, Florida (August 2-4), SpongeBob Shellabration in Hollywood, California (September 7-8), Artscape Festival in Baltimore, Maryland (July 19-21), Eat Real Festival in Oakland, California (September 27-29), Nickelodeon Universe in Minneapolis, Minnesota (August 9-11), the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series at Chicagoland Speedway, Illinois (September 15), Gourmet on Gore Festival (August 30-September 2) and the LA Auto Show over November 30-December 9.

The roadshow will be promoted via digital display advertising and social media and supported by a dedicated website, at which kids can create their own SpongeBob Toyota Highlander design, download kits for family road trips that include SpongeBob branded printable games and colouring pages, watch behind-the-scenes footage of the making of the SpongeBob Highlander, play SpongeBob online games, and have the chance to win a 2014 Toyota Highlander

“We are pumped and honored to partner with Nickelodeon, and especially SpongeBob, to help launch the all-new 2014 Highlander,” said Jack Hollis, Vice-President of Marketing, Toyota Motor Sales USA. “Like the Highlander, SpongeBob is family-friendly and just plain fun – what more could you want in a family vehicle and cartoon?”

As we reported when it was revealed at the New York motor show in April, the third-generation Kluger/Highlander will be exported to Australia for the first time from the US.

Replacing Japan as the source of Australia’s current Kluger, Indiana will become the sole location for right-hand drive Kluger production.

Significantly larger inside but only marginally bigger overall, the redesigned five-door wagon will be available in the US with eight seats and a petrol-electric hybrid powertrain.

Neither of those options will be available in Australia and nor will diesel power, with the top-selling Prado to remain Toyota’s diesel mainstay in the large SUV segment.

Front-wheel and all-wheel drive configurations will continue to offered, although a new entry-level 2.7-litre four-cylinder petrol engine could be made available here alongside the 3.5-litre petrol V6, which will be matched with a new six-speed automatic transmission.

Featuring retuned electric power steering and MacPherson strut front suspension, plus extra spot welds to increase body rigidity, Toyota says the new Kluger rides and handles better than before.

In North America, options will include heated front and centre seats, two individual middle-row seats, a powered tailgate with adjustable height settings, a panoramic sunroof and an eight-inch colour touch-screen.

New driver safety aids for the US Highlander will include a blind spot monitor with rear cross-traffic alert, pre-collision preparation system and dynamic cruise control.

Left- and right-hand drive production of the MkIII Kluger begins in the US in early December.

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