Engineering:Toyota Allion
Toyota Allion | |
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2001–2004 Toyota Allion | |
Overview | |
Manufacturer | Toyota |
Also called | Toyota Premio |
Production | December 2001 – present |
Assembly | Japan: Toyota City, Aichi (Tsutsumi plant)[1] |
Body and chassis | |
Class | Compact car |
Body style | 4-door sedan |
Layout | |
Platform | Toyota MC platform |
Chronology | |
Predecessor |
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The Toyota Allion (Japanese: トヨタ・アリオン Toyota Arion) and its twin the Toyota Premio (Japanese: トヨタ・プレミオ Toyota Puremio) are sedans sold in Japan since 2001 by Toyota. The sedans are designated as a compact car by Japanese dimension regulations and the exterior dimensions do not change with periodic updates. The Allion replaced the Carina, a model that first appeared in 1970. The Carina ED, a four-door hardtop coupe that appeared in 1985, was replaced by the Brevis, which was briefly available with the Allion until 2007. Unlike Toyota's other vehicles, the Allion and Premio are not exported, and are exclusively sold in Japan only.
The Premio is the successor of the Corona which first appeared in 1957. The Corona EXiV, a four-door hardtop coupe that appeared in 1989, was replaced by the Progrès, which was also briefly available with the Premio until 2007. The Allion is exclusive to Japanese Toyota dealerships Toyota Store as a smaller companion to the Crown, while the Premio is exclusive to Toyopet Store locations, as a smaller companion to the Mark X.
Both cars are related to the Avensis, which is an imported five-door liftback from Europe, available at all Japanese dealership locations. The Camry, which is the largest car exclusive to Toyota Corolla Store locations, is slightly larger, and based on appearance packages, offers the same luxury or performance features found in the Allion or Premio. The name "Allion" is created based on the phrase "all-in-one", while "Premio" is a play on words for "premium".
Mechanically, they are identical to the Avensis which is exported new internationally as well as sold in Japan. The Allion/Premio are only offered as 4-door sedans, while the Avensis is available only as a five-door liftback. The first generation Premio is an upscale, luxurious sedan in comparison to the Allion, which has a more youthful, sporting nature. Wood trim and chrome accents gives the Premio an elegant look while the Allion considered to be a sporty or executive type car.
Appearance modification options made for the first generation Allion are not made or marketed for the Premio. The second generation cars share the interior appearances and optional equipment, with exterior visual differences. Three options packages are offered with the three different engines offered, coupled with the choice of front- or four-wheel drive, thereby giving Japanese buyers options as to which annual road tax obligation they are willing to pay.
First generation (T240; 2001–2007)
First generation (T240) | |
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2001–2004 Toyota Allion | |
Overview | |
Also called | Toyota Premio |
Production | December 2001 – June 2007 |
Designer | Hiroshi Okamoto (Allion)[2] |
Body and chassis | |
Related |
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Powertrain | |
Engine |
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Transmission | |
Dimensions | |
Wheelbase | 2,700 mm (106.3 in) |
Length | 4,565 mm (179.7 in) |
Width | 1,695 mm (66.7 in) |
Height | 1,470 mm (57.9 in) |
|uk|Kerb|Curb}} weight | 1,170 kg (2,580 lb) |
The first generation Allion and Premio were launched on 25 December 2001. The Allion has an emphasis towards younger buyers in comparison to the Premio sedan, which has a more elegant approach. The Allion and Premio share the same engines and interior. The Allion can be customized with front spoilers and rear mounted trunk wings, as well as ground effect body parts to enhance the vehicles appearance specially designed and sold by Toyota. The Allion also features rear tilting seats (similar to front seats). The Allion continues the Toyota tradition by being made for taxi usage, driving school and law enforcement versions.
On 20 December 2004, the Allion received a modest restyle with the introduction of LED taillights. The Premio also received an update at the same time.
Both cars were offered with three engine sizes; 1.5-, 1.8- and 2.0-liter. The 2.0-liter model received a CVT automatic; the smaller engines were each fitted with four-speed automatic transmission.
Second generation (T260; 2007–present)
Second generation (T260) | |
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2007–2010 Toyota Allion | |
Overview | |
Also called |
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Production | June 2007 – present |
Body and chassis | |
Related | Toyota Avensis (T270) |
Powertrain | |
Engine |
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Transmission | CVT |
Dimensions | |
Wheelbase | 2,750 mm (108.3 in) |
Length | 4,565 mm (179.7 in) |
Width | 1,695 mm (66.7 in) |
Height | 1,475 mm (58.1 in) |
|uk|Kerb|Curb}} weight | 1,440 kg (3,170 lb) |
The second generation Allion and Premio were introduced on 4 June 2007, with Toyota continuing to offer appearance modifications at local dealerships. These cars continued to fill the gap between Corolla and Camry. G-BOOK is on the list of optional features. The Premio gained the inclusion of a LED in the rear light cluster. Other changes included the smart entry and start system, a rear-view monitor in color, and a hard disk navigation system compatible with the G-Book mX telematics service.[4]
Four-wheel drive was offered on vehicles equipped with the 1.8-liter 2ZR-FE direct-injection engine. A 2.0-liter valvematic 3ZR-FAE engine was made available in January 2008, cutting the emission by 75 percent from the level required by the 2005 Japanese emission standards, and also achieving 20 percent better fuel economy than required by the 2010 fuel consumption standards. The transmission was a Super CVT-i.[4]
Fuel consumption figures for the 1.5-liter models were improved to 18 km/L (42 mpg‑US; 51 mpg‑imp), and the 1.8-liter models were improved to 17 km/L (40 mpg‑US; 48 mpg‑imp), both types now fitted with CVT transmission. From 2 October 2009, fuel consumption for the 1.5-liter models was further improved to 18.6 km/L (44 mpg‑US; 53 mpg‑imp) by improvements to the engine, transmission and alternator control.
From 2007 onwards, the Allion is sold in Iran as the SAIPA Ario, where it is available with an 1.5- or 1.6-liter engines, available in two trim levels: Elegant and TM.[3]
Facelift (2010)
The Premio and Allion were revised on 20 April 2010[5] with more aggressive and sharper looking headlights and twin LED taillights while the interior remaining somewhat same.
The 1.8-liter engine was changed from the 2ZR-FE to the Valvematic 2ZR-FAE, improving fuel consumption to 18.6 km/L (44 mpg‑US; 53 mpg‑imp). In June 2010, fuel consumption for the 1.5-liter models was improved to 20 km/L (47 mpg‑US; 56 mpg‑imp) by improvements to engine and transmission control.
Facelift (2016)
Toyota revised the Premio and Allion again on 13 June 2016 with a facelift.[6] At the same time, "bi-beam" LED headlights and the collision avoidance system called "Toyota Safety Sense C" were introduced, adopting a styling influence from the larger, more prestigious S210 Crown.
References
- ↑ "Japanese Production Sites". Toyota. 2015-03-06. Archived from the original on 2015-03-18. https://web.archive.org/web/20150318032552/http://newsroom.toyota.co.jp/en/corporate/companyinformation/manufacturing.
- ↑ "岡本浩志" (in Japanese). Chiba University. 2006. http://design-cu.jp/sakuhin_web/a/okamoto_hiroshi/index.html.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 "SAIPA Ario homepage" (in en). http://www.saipacorp.com/en/allproducts/Saipa/Ario.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 "75 Years of TOYOTA | Vehicle Lineage | Allion". Toyota. 2007-06-04. http://www.toyota-global.com/company/history_of_toyota/75years/vehicle_lineage/car/id60008987/index.html. Retrieved 2015-08-06.
- ↑ "Toyota Premio & Allion (Second-Generation - Phase II)". Leopaul's blog. 2010-04-22. http://leopauldelrosario.blogspot.com.au/2010/04/toyota-premio-allion-second-generation.html.
- ↑ Takada, Takashi (2016-07-07). "Toyota Beefs Up Preventive Safety Functions of Premio/Allion Sedan". Nikkei Technology Online. http://techon.nikkeibp.co.jp/atclen/news_en/15mk/070700692/.
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