Mainstream concepts

Toyota, Mitsubishi and Hyundai all used the Sydney motor show to try and generate some excitement in their mainstream large cars by showing off muscular sporty versions.

The Toyota Aurion Sports, Mitsubishi TMR 380 and Hyundai Sonata SXi may all have been dubbed concepts but the Aurion and 380 are definitely destined for the showrooms while Hyundai is using the show display to gauge customer appeal.

For Toyota, the Aurion represents a significant jump in its attempt to add sparkle to its range as unlike previous "sporty" large cars that have largely been cosmetically enhanced with suspension tuning about the extent of the mechanical modifications, the Aurion Sports will also feature a forced induction engine.

That engine is likely to be a supercharged version of the car's current 200kW 3.5-litre V6 although Toyota says it has not completely ruled out turbo charging the Aurion. Like the base car, the Aurion Sports will be a front driver and will be marketed under the TRD – Toyota Racing Developments – banner. It will be built off-line at the rate of about 1500 a year and Toyota is currently looking for a factory close to its existing Altona production facility.

The Aurion Sports is due to go on sale in the middle of 2007 and while Toyota has yet to release pricing it is expected to compete against the likes of Ford's XR6 Turbo which would give it a starting price of between $40,000 and $50,000.

Mitsubishi too has gone down the supercharging route for a sports version of its 380 with the Team Mitsubishi Ralliart "concept". With the addition of the blower, the 380's 3.8-litre V6 generates peak outputs of 230kW/442Nm.

Like Aurion Sports, the TMR 380 uses a significantly upgraded suspension with Koni shocks and a full body kit. The Aurion sits on massive 20-inch wheels while the 380 makes do with 19-inch alloys.

Inside, Recaro seats and assorted cosmetic treatments complete the look. While the TMR 380 may not go on sale as the whole package that the show car offered, a TMR 380 will supplement the brand's lineup next year.

Hyundai's SXi concept was put together in Korea but with significant input from the Australian operation and while the 3.3-litre V6 has been untouched, the suspension has had significant work over with Eibach variable rate springs fitted. Like the other two large sedans, the slightly smaller Sonata features an aggressive body kit and sits on 19-inch alloys with the interior treated with a range of sporty enhancements.

Hyundai will gauge the reception to the SXi to determine if the car will end up in showrooms and if it does, it might come with a diesel engine as well. Hyundai is currently looking at range of diesel passenger cars for Australia including the light Getz, Accent, Elantra and Sonata and expects to start selling diesels here within the next 12 months.