|
|
|
|
11/06/2007
By EWAN KENNEDY
|
|
|
There are those who feel that people movers should be utilitarian vehicles that work hard but don’t make any statements in the styling stakes. Toyota begs to disagree. Right from the start, over 20 years ago, its Tarago has been at the forefront of people-mover styling. Its latest model is sleek, almost futuristic, in its looks both inside and out and there's no doubt it benefits in the sales race because of this.
 Until recently the styling wasn’t matched by what was happening under the bonnet. Specifically, the Tarago was powered by a four-cylinder engine, whereas more and more competitors were offering six-cylinder smoothness and refinement. Though a V6 has been available on overseas markets for years, Toyota felt it would have been too expensive for Australian buyers.
Earlier this year Toyota relented and introduced the Tarago with a 3.5-litre engine that’s closely related to the V6 in the Toyota Aurion sedan. It’s not cheap at $54,690 to $69,990.
These prices are lower than earlier estimates, which often tipped a V6 Tarago to start in the low 60s. It seems likely the company has absorbed some of the higher price by reducing profit although the strength of the Aussie dollar against the Japanese yen is obviously part of the equation as well. It comes as no surprise that Toyota Australia won’t comment on this matter.
The four-cylinder Tarago remains on sale alongside the V6 and is priced from $49,490.
The V6 engine has peak power of 202 kW, with maximum torque of 340 Nm at a rather high 4700 rpm. However, there's a good spread of torque at lower revs and the use of a six-speed automatic means the engine can search for its best revs to suit the ratio selected. Tiptronic-type manual gear selection is on offer should the driver not agree with the computer’s gear selection.
The V6, six-speed combo certainly adds refinement to the Tarago. The extra power and torque make overtaking safer, while the smoothness and quietness from the big engine makes the complete vehicle feel more refined.
 Fuel consumption isn’t a lot higher in the six-cylinder Tarago than in the four-cylinder as the engine is running pretty easily almost all of the time. Typically the V6 will use about 12 to 14 litres per hundred kilometres in suburban driving and nine to eleven litres per hundred on country runs. Note that if the Tarago is loaded to the hilt and driven hard the consumption is likely to climb considerably.
Tarago V6 can carry seven or eight people. The latter model uses a 60/40 split three-person bench seat in the central seating location, while the seven seaters have two individual seats in that position.
The individual centre seats come with integrated footrests that are a lot like airline seats and can be laid back to an almost flat position. These seats can slide almost all the way back to the rearmost seats if the latter are not in use. When you do so you get limo-like legroom that offers exceptional luxury.
These centre bucket seats are fascinating in that the can also move sideways, thus giving more or less space between them according to occupants’ desires. When the seats are spread apart you can slide the centre console that normally resides between the front seats to the space between the centre seats.
We sampled these seats during our test period and were most impressed by the space and luxury they offer.
Third row seats can carry three passengers in a 60/40 spilt bench arrangement. Though best left to the kids, the back seats aren't too hard to get in and out of and two adults can travel in reasonable comfort. All the more so if the centre row seats are slid forward to provide increased legroom for those in the back.
 Either or both sections of the rearmost seat can be folded back and down into an underfloor compartment to provide additional boot space. This fold-and-stow operation is electric in the topline model, the Tarago Ultima. ‘This underfloor rear seat stowage facility occupies the space that would normally house the spare wheel, which is now mounted underneath the rear of the vehicle.
Safety features on all models include ABS brakes with electronic brakeforce distribution and brake assist, stability and traction control, and seven airbags. The seventh airbag protects the driver’s knees.
Toyota Tarago’s V6 engine further improves the appeal of a vehicle that has been a favourite in the Australian people moving market for almost a quarter of a century. It’s not cheap, though it is better priced than originally anticipated, but those who can afford one will appreciate Tarago's refinement, build quality and comfort.
AT A GLANCE
MODEL RANGE
GLi 2.4-litre four-door people mover - $49,490
GLX 2.4-litre four-door people mover - $52,490
GLi V6 3.5-litre four-door people mover - $54,690
GLX V6 3.5-litre four-door people mover - $56,990
Ultima V6 3.5-litre four-door people mover - $69,990
FEATURES
ABS Brakes: Standard on all models
Air Conditioning: Standard on all models
Automatic Transmission: Standard on all models
CD Player: Standard on all models
Central Locking: Standard on all models
Cruise Control: Standard on GLX and Ultima, not offered on GLi
Driver Airbag: Standard on all models
Passenger Airbag: Standard on all models
Side Airbags: Option on GLi, standard on all other models
SPECIFICATIONS (Toyota Tarago V6 GLX 3.5-litre people mover)
ENGINE:
Engine Capacity: 3.456 litres
Configuration: V6
Head Design: DOHC, four valves per cylinder
Compression Ratio: 10.8:1
Bore/Stroke: 94.0 x 83.0mm
Maximum Power: 202 kW @ 6200 rpm
Maximum Torque: 340 Nm @ 4700 rpm
DRIVELINE:
Driven Wheels: Front
Manual Transmission: Not offered
Automatic Transmission: Six-speed
Final Drive Ratio: NA
DIMENSIONS, WEIGHT AND CAPACITIES:
Length: 4795mm
Wheelbase: 2950mm
Width: 1800mm
Height: 1750mm
Turning Circle: 11.4 metres
Kerb Mass: 1840-1930 kg
Fuel Tank Capacity: 65 litres
Towing Ability: NA
SUSPENSION AND BRAKES:
Front Suspension: Independent, MacPherson struts, hydraulic damper units, anti-roll bar
Rear Suspension: Torsion beam axle, trailing arms, coil springs, hydraulic damper units
Front Brakes: Ventilated Disc
Rear Brakes: Disc
FUEL CONSUMPTION:
Fuel Type: Petrol 91RON
Fuel Consumption - Combined Cycle (ADR 81/01): 10.3 L/100km
STANDARD WARRANTY:
Three years/100,000km |
|
|
|
|
|
Print Article
Submit Feedback
Email This Article
