Merc1

Toyota plans to introduce a new--and unanticipated--crossover vehicle at next month's Detroit auto show.

The Venza, Toyota says, is a "unique blend of sedan and sport-utility vehicle." Likely based off the Camry/Avalon mechanicals, the Venza will be built alongside those vehicles at Toyota's massive plant in Georgetown, Kentucky.

The Venza, Toyota adds, will have seating for five, easy entry and exit from its higher crossover stance, a more carlike ride and SUV-like utility.

No other details, nor any photos, were provided in a brief press release. The Venza gets its world premiere at the North American International Auto Show on January 14, at 10:50 a.m.

Stay with TheCarConnection.com as we bring you the first photos and specs on the Venza as we report live from the Detroit show, starting January 12, 2008.

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Merc1

Toyota has announced that it will be unveiling a "crossover sedan" called the Venza next month at the 2008 Detroit Auto Show. According to the Japanese automaker, the five-passenger vehicle will be a unique blend of sedan and sports utility vehicle with a car-like ride and functionally, but its anyone's guess as to how it will look since Toyota did not release any imagery of the Venza and it has so far managed to successfully evade the spy photographers.

Toyota says that the Venza was both designed and engineered in the U.S. and that it will be built at its Georgetown, Kentucky plant that builds the Camry, Sienna, Avalon and Camry Solara, which leads to reasonable speculation that the Venza will be based on Toyota's MC platform and possibly look something like a lifted Camry. We'd speculate that crossover four-door coupes are next, but BMW already has that covered with the X6.

Stay tuned to motortrend.com for more on the Toyota Venza and the rest of the Detroit Auto Show debuts and live coverage during the show press days January 13-15.

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Choleric

Merc1

I agree, but like MT says Toyota has managed to elude the cameras with this one. I just know someone at the KY plant has a picture on this thing.

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Choleric

Merc1

Edmunds says:



This 2005 Toyota FT-SX concept (pictured) is said to have provided some of the inspiration for the 2009 Venza crossover, which will be unveiled at the Detroit auto show in January. (Photo courtesy of Toyota)


TORRANCE, Calif. — Toyota will unveil the all-new 2009 Venza, which it describes as a "crossover sedan," next month at the 2008 Detroit Auto Show.

The Venza was designed and engineered in the U.S. and will be assembled next year at Toyota's Georgetown plant in Kentucky, which currently builds the Camry and the Avalon.

The Venza is thought to be an evolution of the Toyota FT-SX, a midsize crossover concept that was displayed at the 2005 Detroit Auto Show. The FT-SX was based on the Avalon platform.

Toyota said the Venza will accommodate five occupants and will be "a unique blend of sedan and sport-utility vehicle, offering...easy ingress and egress, a carlike ride and functional utility."

What this means to you: Just when we had started to worry that Toyota's product arsenal might be getting a tad depleted. — Paul Lienert, Correspondent


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SDNR

Do you think they could have made it any less attractive?



.......it would difficult.

Tycoon

BMW F series competitor?

Merc1

Yeah I was wondering if Toyota and BMW are on the same page here. I guess we'll see in a few days.

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Merc1

What I don't get is why Toyota feels they need yet another crossover. A new Highlander is enough. Gee whiz.

M