Japanese juggernaut Toyota looked to continue its growth in North America by introducing the 2009 Venza crossover at the 2008 Detroit Auto Show. The company also announced plans to accelerate development of plug-in hybrid
vehicles, possibly having them available for public consumption in the 2010 timeframe.
Toyota also introduced its A-BAT compact
pickup truck concept in Detroit.
2009 Toyota Venza
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Don’t dare call it a station wagon. The 2009 Toyota Venza is what the company calls a "crossover sedan." This five-passenger vehicle draws some of its inspiration from the FT-SX concept wagon, which was shown at the 2005 Detroit Auto Show. Like the FT-SX, Venza shares some of its mechanical components with the Avalon and Camry sedans. It was designed and engineered completely in the United States, and will be built alongside the Camry and Avalon at the company's plant in Kentucky.
Venza would have the same relationship with the Camry that Subaru’s Outback wagons do with its Legacy sedan--a little bit of SUV flavor with the driving dynamics of a car.
All Venzas will come in a single trim level with a choice of front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive. Two engines will be available. The first to arrive at dealer showrooms will be a 268-horsepower version of Toyota’s corporate 3.5-liter V6. Due later in the model year is a 2.7-liter four cylinder. Both engines will team with a six-speed automatic transmission with a manual shift gate.
Venza is scheduled to arrive at dealers at the end of calendar 2008. Pricing will be announced closer to that date, but figure on Venza occupying a space between Camry and Avalon, probably around $27,000 for the V6 with the four cylinder coming in $1000-$2000 less. Loaded versions would likely top $32,000.
Toyota A-BAT Concept
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A-BAT, according to Toyota officials, represents a return to the company's compact pickup truck roots but with several modern twists. Instead of traditional, truck-style body-on-frame construction like a Ford Ranger, A-BAT uses car-type unibody construction, similar to the Honda Ridgeline. Toyota's Hybrid Synergy Drive, a four-cylinder gasoline engine with electric motor assist, powers the concept truck.
A-BAT has a four-foot cargo bed. A translucent roof panel slides open to accommodate taller cargo inside the cab. Also included is a pass-through "midgate" similar to what General Motors offers in the large Cadillac Escalade EXT and Chevrolet Avalanche pickups. The midgate folds into the cab, adding another two feet to the bed.
The concept features a portable navigation system, hard drive for storing digital music files, and built-in Wi-Fi Internet access. For now, this truck is just a concept. But with the way Toyota is expanding its product portfolio, it wouldn't be surprising if a vehicle inspired by A-BAT were to eventually hit showrooms, perhaps as a replacement for the venerable Tacoma pickup.