GEORGETOWN, Ky (LEX 18) – On Monday, Toyota unveiled the newest addition to its line of vehicles in the Bluegrass.
The all-new 2019 Toyota Avalon is the fifth generation of Avalon. Susan Elkington, the president of the Kentucky plant, said that this Avalon is the future of Toyota manufacturing.
"TNGA (Toyota New Blogal Architecture) allows us to be more flexible and creative on the production line – transforming the way Toyota builds cars. Our recent $1.33-billion investment in this plant allowed us to be the first Toyota facility in North America to build on this platform – initially with the 2018 Camry and now with our flagship sedan, the stunning, new Avalon," she said.
Elkington said that an example of TNGA is the welding process and the increased rigidity it brings. All of this results in a quieter ride in the cabin.
"It’s the difference between a coat that is buttoned and one that has a zipper,” she said. “It is just that much tighter, more snug overall.”
According to a press release, the new Avalon includes a few firsts for Toyota:
– Available Adaptive Variable Suspension (AVS), which enhances controllability and sharp handling;
– Standard Apple CarPlay and Available Dynamic Auxiliary Turn Signals;
– Available Engine Sound Enhancement (that’s right, you can literally press a button that gives you the sounds of a sports car);
– Two new TNGA powertrains include a punchy 3.5-liter V6 (which allows for more power and less fuel consumption) and a 2.5-liter four-cylinder Toyota Hybrid System (the only full hybrid in the premium mid-size sedan segment).
