A week after Toyota Australia revealed its upgraded 2016 Camry range, the Japanese car-maker has now announced what's also expected to be the final update for its homegrown Aurion line-up before local production ceases next year.
As with the revised mid-size sedan range, Toyota has focussed on injecting more sport into the large Aurion sedan family, in this case via an enhanced mid-range Sportivo variant, which comes with a $3000 price increase as a result.
New for the 2016 Aurion Spoetivo are black 18-inch alloy wheels, an exclusive Cherry red exterior paint option, leather-trimmed sports seats, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, auto-levelling LED headlights, LED fog lights and an electrically-adjustable driver’s seat with memory function.
Other new standard equipment for the Sportivo include an upgraded infotainment system comprising 7.0-inch touch-screen monitor housing satellite-navigation with real-time traffic updates, premium 10-speaker JBL sound system, digital (DAB+) radio and expanded Toyota Link connected mobility, plus a rear-window power sunshade.
These features are bundled together in a $1750 option pack for the entry-level Aurion AT-X, pricing for which remains unchanged at $36,490 despite an upgrade to (five) 10-spoke 17-inch alloy wheels and 215/55R17 tyres (replacing the 16-inch alloys and steel spare previously offered) and a premium four-spoke steering wheel and gear-shift lever.
All Aurion models are now fitted with rear-seat ISOFIX attachment points for child safety seats.
There are no changes to the top-shelf Aurio Presara, which continues to add lane departure alert, auto high beam, an electric sunroof, auto wipers and, for an extra $1000, the Sportivo's 18-inch wheel/tyre package (with bright machined spokes) including suspension and steering revisions "that add to the driving appeal".
Likewise, there are no mechanical changes, meaning all Aurions continue with a 200kW 3.5-litre DOHC petrol V6, and come standard with seven airbags, reversing camera, stability/traction control, anti-skid brakes, dual-zone auto air-conditioning, keyless entry and ignition, Optitron dials, 4.2-inch full-colour multi-information display and front/rear corner parking sensors.
"The additional equipment for AT-X and Sportivo will appeal to value-conscious buyers in this segment of the market," said Toyota Australia's executive director of sales and marketing Tony Cramb.
2016 Toyota Aurio pricing (plus ORCs):
AT-X (a) — $36,490
Sportivo (a) — $43,990
Presara (a) — $50,440