It had a supercharged V6, upgraded brakes, and exclusive trim, but this sedan couldn’t survive Australia’s love for rear-drive muscle cars
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- TRD Aurion had 323 hp from a supercharged 3.5-liter V6.
- It was Toyota’s most powerful Australian model at the time.
- FWD layout and price hurt its appeal against V8 RWD rivals.
Back in the mid-2000s, Australia’s large-sedan battlefield was heating up, and Toyota decided it wanted in. In 2007, Toyota Australia set its sights on the high-powered Ford Falcons and Holden Commodores dominating the local scene.
Rather than build something entirely new, it handed the keys to the mild-mannered Aurion, which was derived from the Camry with subtle updates to the front, rear and interior styling, over to Toyota Racing Development (TRD). The result was a supercharged oddity with serious intent called the TRD Aurion.
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Toyota internally framed the car as “Toyota plus,” with senior sales and marketing executive David Buttner saying at the time TRD’s involvement “elevated the Aurion’s dynamic capability while preserving the brand’s reputation for quality, durability, and reliability.”
A Camry With More Bite
The Aurion never made it to North America, but it was mostly a standard Camry with distinctive front and rear fascias, giving it a slightly sportier look. As standard, it came with a 3.5-liter V6. But, to fight local competitors and sports sedans imported from overseas, TRD added an Eaton supercharger to the V6, increasing power to an impressive 323 hp (241 kW) and 295 lb-ft (400 Nm) of torque.
Notably, the TRD Aurion was the world’s first production car to use Eaton’s Twin Vortices Series supercharger. Toyota claimed this newer unit delivered a smoother, quieter experience, with better throttle response and improved efficiency compared to earlier designs.
Power went to the front wheels through a six-speed automatic with a manual-style sequential mode. Toyota tuned the setup to deliver solid braking, sharp steering, and improved driving feel that aimed to strike a compromise between daily usability and weekend enthusiasm.
Fastest Toyota on Sale in Australia
At the time of the car’s launch, it was the first official product from TRD, and was the most powerful model that Toyota had ever sold in Australia. It could hit 100 km/h (62 mph) in a respectable 6.1 seconds and power through to a top speed of 250 km/h (155 mph). The quarter-mile could be dealt with in 14.2 seconds.
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By modern standards, these figures may not seem all that impressive. However, it’s worth noting the TRD Aurion sent all its power through the front wheels, and its acceleration figures are largely on par with current FWD hot hatches like the Honda Civic Type R and Hyundai i30 N.
TRD didn’t call it a day after adding a supercharger to the V6, either. The mid-size sedan came standard with a revised suspension system that dropped the ride height by 12 mm (0.47 inches).
Toyota also revised the car’s wheel alignment, adding negative camber to sharpen steering response, and fitted it with a new set of 19-inch wheels. The braking system was upgraded as well, with larger discs and twin-piston calipers up front, and single-piston units at the rear.
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Visually, it stood apart from the standard model. The front and rear bumpers were unique to the TRD version, joined by a subtle lip spoiler and a rear diffuser integrating a pair of prominent tailpipes. The result was sporty but not overly loud about it.
Two Versions, Two Directions
Toyota offered the TRD Aurion in two grades. The 3500S was pitched as the sport-focused entry point, while the 3500SL added luxury-oriented features such as leather upholstery, Smart Entry and Start, parking sensors, dual-zone climate control, and additional power seat adjustment.
Pricing reflected the car’s positioning. The 3500S carried a recommended retail price of $56,990 AUD (around $48,400 USD at the time), deliberately set below Australia’s luxury car tax threshold, while the better-equipped 3500SL was priced at $61,500 AUD (approximately $52,300 USD).
Inside, both received TRD-specific touches including sports seats, alloy pedals, scuff plates, and a leather-wrapped steering wheel to help distinguish them from the standard Aurion.
Why Didn’t It Catch On?
Despite its performance and polish, the TRD Aurion struggled to attract buyers. Its front-wheel-drive layout and high price tag made it a hard sell next to traditional V8-powered, rear-wheel-drive rivals from Ford and Holden, and Toyota’s conservative image didn’t do much to win over performance-minded shoppers. Production quietly ended in 2009, less than two years after launch.
John Halas contributed to this story
