"The all-new Venza was developed as a vehicle that combines thestyling, comfort and fun-to-drive performance elements of afive-passenger sedan with the surprising utility of an SUV," said BobCarter, Toyota Division group vice president and general manager. "Thiswinning combination will be ideal for active ‘boomers' and youngcouples with small families."



All aspects of Venza's engineering and design were targetedspecifically for the North American market where it will be soldexclusively. Venza was primarily engineered at Toyota Technical Centerin Ann Arbor, Mich., and designed at Toyota's Calty design studios inNewport Beach, Calif. and Ann Arbor, Mich. Venza will be assembled atToyota Motor Manufacturing Kentucky (TMMK), in Georgetown, Ky.

The development focus of the Venza design team was to create a newcrossover vehicle that shifted away from the more traditional SUVstyling themes that tend to dominate the segment. Calty designersleaned more heavily on a sleek sedan concept with a wide stance thatfeatured a sporty exterior and premium comfort interior but would alsobe equipped with important SUV attributes such as cargo space, towingcapability and all-wheel-drive performance.

The exterior design of the four-door Venza begins with an imposingfront end featuring a distinctive grille, headlights and fog lamps foran aggressive, yet classy appearance. The front conforms to a sleek andaerodynamic shape with short overhangs, crisp character lines and aroofline and ground clearance that are lower than a typical crossover.From behind, Venza's refined appearance is complete with an angled rearhatch, rear spoiler and wide wraparound tail lights that interconnectwith the hatch door.




Venza will feature a spacious interior providing ample room for allfive passengers and abundant SUV-like cargo space behind the second rowof seats. The rear hatch provides a low cargo height that allows foreasy loading and unloading of luggage and outdoor gear. Easy-to-uselevers, one on each side of the rear cargo area, allow the 60/40 splitrear seats to fold flat, providing additional storage space for extralong items such as surf boards, skis, camping gear and gardeningequipment. For added passenger comfort, the rear seats recline up to 14degrees.

A creative interior design complemented with an array of comfort andconvenience features provides Venza with a refined look and feel thatis commonly reserved for a luxury sedan. The flow of theinstrumentation panel (IP) creates a unique 60/60 design that givesboth driver and front passenger the look and feeling that 60 percent ofthe IP is accessible from their seating position.

An extra long center console extends from the IP and slopes down to acenter compartment with a unique sliding console cover. Sliding openthe compartment lid reveals a large storage well deep enough to hold alarge purse. The compartment is also illuminated and equipped with anauxiliary audio jack and 12-volt power point. The upper portion of thecenter console houses the gear-shift lever for easy and comfortabledriver access. Climate control functions are centrally located on theupper center console, providing easy accessibility for both driver andpassenger. The center console also contains an iPod/MP3 storagecompartment with wire management and illuminated dual cupholders.

All Venza models will be equipped with an array of standard featuresincluding auto dual zone air conditioning, AM/FM six-disc CD,tilt/telescopic steering wheel with audio controls, remote keylessentry, electrochromic rearview mirror with compass, a multi-informationdisplay, cruise control, optitron gauges, rear wiper, privacy glass,and much more. On V6 models Venza will come standard with dual exhausttips and will be the first Toyota model to ride on standard 20-inchalloy wheels. Four-cylinder models will come standard with 19-inchalloy wheels.

Chrome accents throughout give Venza a refined look and feel. Modelsequipped with an optional leather-trimmed interior will featurewood-grain-type trim and seats stitched with dark piping that istastefully coordinated with Venza's standard linear grain dashboard andsteering wheel. An array of storage space will be available throughoutthe vehicle to accommodate passenger belongings. A large storagecompartment with an additional 12-volt power point located on thepassenger side of the front center console will be sizeable enough tocontain maps and magazines.

A panoramic roof will be offered as an option and will be a first forthe Toyota vehicle lineup. The roof will feature separate glass panelsover the front and rear seats. The front glass panel will have a powertilt/slide function.

Venza will also offer an Automatic High Beam headlight system, anotherToyota first. When high beam headlights are in use sensors in theAutomatic High Beam system will detect oncoming traffic andautomatically switch the headlights to low-beam. When the AutomaticHigh Beam sensors no longer detect oncoming traffic the system willswitch the headlights back to high-beam mode.

Additional optional equipment will include a navigation system equippedwith a JBL audio system, integrated satellite radio capability andBluetooth® technology; a premium JBL audio system with AM/FM six-discCD changer, satellite radio capability and Bluetooth®, rear seatentertainment system, a Smart Key System, back-up camera and a powerrear door.

The sleek and sporty styling, refined interior and outstanding utilityfeatures are complemented with fun-to-drive performance attributesexpected by owners with active lifestyles. Aggressive handlingtypically found in a performance coupe is well-balanced by the on-roadcomfort of an upscale sedan.

Venza will be available in front- and all-wheel-drive configurations.It will provide drivers and passengers the best of both worlds bydelivering the quiet comfortable ride expected from a full-size sedanalong with the peace-of-mind that comes with all-wheel-drive.

Power will be generated by an available 3.5-liter V6 that will produce268 horsepower at 6,200 rpm and 246 lb.-ft. of torque at 4,700 rpm witha towing capability of 3,500 pounds. Standard power will come from anall-new 2.7-liter four-cylinder engine that will deliver capableperformance and provide excellent fuel efficiency and low emissions.Both engines will be mated with a six-speed sequential-shiftelectronically-controlled automatic transmission.

Venza will be equipped with a comprehensive list of standard safetyfeatures. It will provide a total of seven airbags, including adriver’s knee airbag, front seat-mounted side airbags, and side curtainairbags for both rows of seats. Venza will also be the first sedan withToyota's STAR safety system, featuring anti-lock brakes, tractioncontrol, electronic brake-force distribution, brake assist, and vehiclestability control. Venza will also feature active head rests asstandard equipment.

"Venza will establish an exciting new crossover niche that will combinethe finest attributes of Toyota's diverse vehicle lineup," said Carter."It will cater to buyers who are looking for the value and reliabilityof a Camry, the comfort and upscale refinement of an Avalon, and theutility and functionality of a Highlander SUV in one very stylish andsporty package."

"When it goes on sale in late 2008, the Venza crossover sedan willrepresent Toyota's latest commitment to driving change in themarketplace."2009 VENZA PRELIMINARY SPECIFICATIONS

POWERTRAIN
2.7-liter four-cylinder engine
Horsepower: TBD
Torque: TBD
Six-speed sequential shift automatic transmission

3.5-liter V6
Horsepower: 268 @ 6,200
Torque: 246 lb.-ft. @ 4,700 rpm
Six-speed sequential shift automatic transmission
Drive System: Front- and All-Wheel-Drive

DIMENSIONS (inches)
Overall Length: 189.0
Overall Width: 75.0
Overall Height: 63.4
Wheelbase: 109.3
Ground clearance: 8.1
Wheels: 19-inch alloy wheels (four-cylinder only)
20-inch alloy wheels (standard on V6 and available on four-cylinder)

Tire Size: 20-inch: 245/50R20
19-inch: 245/55R19

Towing Capacity: 3,500 lbs. (V6 model)

Seating Capacity: 5