NEW YORK MOTOR SHOW: Toyota lobs next Kluger

Toyota has lifted the lid on its third-generation Kluger crossover, which is due on sale here next February.

Making its world debut at the New York motor show overnight, the US-market Highlander will be exported to Australia for the first time from Indiana, which (apart from China) will become the sole source of Kluger production.

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

Neither of those options will be available in Australia, although a new entry-level 2.7-litre four-cylinder petrol engine could be offered alongside the 3.5-litre petrol V6, which will be matched with a new six-speed automatic transmission.

Apart from offering manual-shifty control, the latter is claimed to improve efficiency, but no local fuel consumption figures have been announced.

Front- and (Dynamic Torque Control) all-wheel drive versions will again be available, but Toyota has confirmed the Kluger will remain without diesel power for the foreseeable future, leaving the top-selling Prado as Toyota’s diesel mainstay in the large SUV segment.

Measuring 4850mm, 1925mm wide, 1730mm wide and riding on a 2790mm wheelbase, the new Kluger wears a revised trapezoidal grille flanked by less angular wrap-around headlights with LED daytime running lights, a higher beltline, sleeker greenhouse and redesigned tailgate.

Despite the slightly sportier design, Toyota says visibility jhas been improved by precise repositioning of the A-pillars and larger rear quarter windows, while cargo space behind the third-row seats has been increased and new premium touches include a soft-touch instrument panel.

Riding on 19-inch alloy wheels, the Highlander presented in New York featured a unique in-dash shelf with USB and 12-volt outlets and a new roll-top centre console housing a 24.5-litre storage compartment large enough to stow handbags and the like.

All models also gain eight standard airbags, a display sound system with reversing camera and a 4.2-inch multi-information display between the instrument dials.

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 include a blind spot monitor with rear cross-traffic alert, pre-collision preparation system and dynamic cruise control.

New double-wishbone rear suspension removes rear strut tower intrusion into the cabin, allowing a third-row seat that is at least 100mm wider and – at least in the US – accommodates three occupants, bringing total seating capacity to eight.

Combined with 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.

Left- and right-hand drive production of the MkIII Kluger begins in the US in early December and the Highlander will be the subject of a marketing campaign comprising kids cartoon hero Spongebob Squarepants.

Project manager Tomoyasu Harada told motoring.com.au the new Kluger/Highlander had been adapted to suit Australian regulations and road conditions, but no physical development testing had taken place.

Norm Bafunno, the president of Toyota Motor Manufacturing Indiana, where the next Kluger will be built, said he travelled to Australia to assess Kluger customer needs and inspect road conditions, which were built into test tracks in the US and Japan.

“We’re testing right now. The global product will be very similar,” he said.

Harada-san confirmed the new Kluger’s exclusive 2.7-litre petrol engine would be fitted to right-hand drive models, but that “We are not decided about hybrid for right-hand drive”.

Toyota has previously committed tpo producing a hybrid version of every model in its range by 2020.

Toyota’s Indiana plant will be the sole producer of right-hand drive Klugers following the cessation of production in Japan.

Bafunno said annual production capacity of 110,000 Klugers would be increased by 50,000 to supply Russia and Australia, which will take at least 1000 examples per month.

For the latest New York motor show news at motoring.com.au

Photo gallery of 2013 New York motor show at motoring.com.au

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