As the proceedings wane at the 2017 Los Angeles Motor Show, the next big event on the automotive calendar looms in the northern state of Michigan, where the 2018 Detroit Motor Show is due to kick off - as it always does - in January.
We’ve heard some reporting of automakers deliberately shorting their hand or taking a pass on the LA Motor Show entirely to come out stronger in Detroit, one of them being Toyota. Although, if certain sources prove correct, the Japanese automaker is less than keen on lifting the veil on their much rumoured Supra there.
However, as indicated by newly revealed teaser, Toyota is readying an all-new Avalon that looks to be a big departure from the car it precedes. Australians might be a little more familiar with its cousin, the Aurion.
Judging by the sculpted bonnet, large gaping front intakes, and swish LED daytime running lights - the only elements visible in the aforesaid teaser - Toyota isn’t at all shy about borrowing some design cues from its premium sub-brand Lexus to woo customers to its mainstream marque.
Honestly, it looks to our eyes more like a sportier Lexus ES than anything we’re used to seeing from Toyota, even with the run of bolder exterior designs they’ve been putting out recently, such as that of the all-new Prius, the C-HR, or 2018 Camry.
But take all that with a few grains of salt as it’s definitely possible that Toyota is just keen to test the waters with an Avalon Concept, and not fully committing to a production version with such a ‘premium’ design. We’re hoping to be proven wrong.
There shouldn’t be much surprise concerning what motor lies under that bonnet, though. Toyota is likely to be carrying over their naturally aspirated engines, either their 2.5-litre four-pot or the 3.5-litre V6, perhaps in combination with an electric motor and a modestly sized bank of lithium-ion or nickel metal hydride batteries.
There are sure to be more teasers to emerge as we draw closer to the Detroit Motor Show to paint an even clearer picture of Toyota’s upcoming mid-size sedan, or just raise more questions.
For more on Toyota cars, check out our Showroom.
