Toyota releases Aurion SE

TOYOTA Australia has attempted to add some spark to its struggling Aurion large-car range with a limited-edition Touring SE variant, with $1800 worth of extra features.

However, at $37,990 plus on-road costs, the special edition costs $1500 more than the base AT-X version on which it is based. Metallic paint adds $425.

The company will limit SE production at its local plant at Altona in Melbourne’s west to 1500 units, all of which get extras including 17-inch alloys wheels (in place of 16s on the base Aurion), fog lights, silver grille highlights, rear spoiler and special badges.

Inside, new additions include a ‘premium’ steering wheel with audio controls and sports pedals.

These features come over and above the AT-X, which already includes seven airbags, dual-zone air-conditioning, reversing camera, power-operated driver’s seat with lumbar support, a multi-information display and a six-speaker audio system with AUX/iPod/Bluetooth connectivity.

Aurion sales are down 14.1 per cent this year, despite the new version only launching in April. Nevertheless, the six-cylinder Toyota is faring better than its Falcon and Commodore rivals, which are down 27.7 and 27.4 per cent respectively.