The facelifted
Toyota Alphard and Vellfire are on display at UMW Toyota showrooms,
indicating that the luxury MPVs will go
on sale pretty soon. Along with showing the two people carriers, the official
distributor has also released full specifications and equipment to go with
pricing that was revealed last month.
The cars are pricier than before,
with the Vellfire 2.5 costing RM 350,800. The Alphard retails at RM 429,800 for the
standard 3.5 litre model and RM 540,800 for the 3.5 Executive Lounge, RM 26,400
and RM 35,100 costlier respectively. All prices are on-the-road without
insurance, inclusive of a five-year, unlimited-mileage warranty.
The biggest change is under the bonnet, where you’ll find a new 2GR-FKE 3.5 litre
V6 with D-4S direct injection and VVT-iW. Outputs have been bumped up
significantly to 300 PS at 6,600 rpm and 361 Nm of torque between 4,600 and
4,700 rpm, increases of 29 PS and 21 Nm respectively. A new eight-speed
automatic transmission replaces the previous six-speed unit.
Toyota claims a fuel consumption figure of between
10.4 and 10.6 km per litre on the Japanese JC08 cycle, an improvement over the
previous 9.5 km per litre. The Vellfire’s 2AR-FE 2.5 litre Dual VVT-i
four-cylinder engine, making 180 PS at 6,000 rpm and 235 Nm at 4,100 rpm and
paired to a CVT, has been carried over unchanged. All models make greater use
of structural adhesives as well as high-rigidity glass adhesives for increased
body rigidity, contributing to better handling stability and ride comfort.
Other changes are largely cosmetic in nature, with
both the Alphard and Vellfire gaining a redesigned front fascia. The former
receives an even more prominent full-height grille, with chrome trim that moves
outward to bisect the headlights. Those headlights themselves – self-levelling
LED units with cornering lights and LED daytime running lights – have also been
given new internal graphics.
Meanwhile, the Vellfire gets a giant chrome plated
grille and triangular fog light surrounds, giving it an even more distinctive
look. Lastly, there are new tail lights (with square light guides in the case
of the Vellfire) and tailgate garnish, plus sequential front and rear
indicators and a new 18-inch wheel design.
Inside, there’s a new instrument cluster design,
plus new standard features including a Qi wireless smartphone charger and a new
digital, camera-based rear-view mirror called the full display mirror (FDM),
first seen on the new Lexus LS. Front seat ventilation has also been added
across all variants.
Otherwise, kit count remains largely identical, with
the Vellfire coming with keyless entry, push-button start, powered sliding
doors, a powered tailgate, leather upholstery, ventilated and power-adjustable
front seats, second-row captain’s seats with power recline, powered front passenger
and second-row Ottomans.
Also fitted are a front sunroof and rear moonroof,
three-zone automatic climate control with nanoe air ionisation, a DVD-AVN
navigation system with a seven-inch touchscreen, a 10.2-inch rear seat
entertainment screen and eight speakers, plus a black interior and dark grey
Metal Wood trim. The standard Alphard 3.5 gets the same amount of kit, but with
a beige interior and brown Metal Wood trim.
The Executive Lounge receives wider VIP
second-row seats with ventilation and foldable picnic tables. It also gets
semi-aniline leather upholstery, a larger eight-inch capacitive touchscreen for
the navigation system, a Blu-Ray rear seat entertainment system with a
nine-inch display and a 17-speaker JBL sound system. Buyers get a choice of
beige or black interiors, plus brown olive ash burl wood trim.