TRD Aurion: World's First Production Car With TVS

Motoring Channel Staff - 20/June/2007

Melbourne, Australia — Toyota's flagship large car, the Aurion, is about to get its very own performance model, not unlike the hot HSV and FPV versions of the Ford Falcon and Holden Commodore.

The key difference to the current Australian muscle car heroes, which take advantage of large V8 and turbocharged 6-cylinder power, is that Toyota has opted to go down the supercharging route, adding a roots-type supercharger to the Aurion's Lexus-sourced 3.5-litre V6.

Toyota will badge the new Aurion a TRD, which stands for Toyota Racing Development, and most of the research, development, and testing on the new car is already complete. It will feature a new look body kit, redesigned interior, plus performance brakes and tyres.

Furthermore, we can also confirm that TRD has been working closely with Melbourne-based Harrop Engineering in order to boost the Aurions performance with an innovative supercharger system.

According to TRD's chief engineer Stephen Castles, the blown Aurion will be the first production car in the world to use the new Eaton 'twin-vortices' supercharger (TVS), which was packaged locally by Harrop Engineering, and hence their involvement.

"The TVS unit has performed really well and definitely helped deliver the engine performance we need," said Mr Castles.

The TVS is different to conventional superchargers in that it doesn't need an intercooler to develop high levels of boost, because the unit has inherent thermal efficiencies. In other words, it doesn't need to cool the intake air because heat generation. The American company that developed the technology, Eaton, first showcased the technology at the 2006 SEMA tradeshow in Las Vegas, 

TRD's chief engineer said the supercharged V6 engine that will power the Aurion has exceeded its performance targets. Stephen Castles then revealed that a power output target of at least 235kW for the supercharged 3.5-litre dual VVT-i V6 engine has been achieved, and added that final acceleration times are even better than predicted when development began two years ago.

"The total engine performance is definitely one of the key positives of the TRD Aurion package," Mr Castles said, adding that his team of engineers continually set tougher targets during the development stage, all the while maintaining Toyota's high levels of quality, durability and reliability (QDR).

Mr Castles said the manufacturing of supercharger components was simplified as the Eaton-designed unit does not require an intercooler, and that the new TVS substantially reduces engine noise. He continued by saying that the basis for the TRD Aurion's performance, the standard Aurion V6 engine, was vital to the success of the TRD Aurion program: "It was a great benefit to have such a well-designed, sophisticated and well-built engine to work with from the start."

As well as Harrop Engineering, the Perth-based Orbital Engine Company assisted TRD with vital testing and component development: "Our engine calibration partner Orbital was surprised at how well the components stood up after putting it through some rigorous testing. We see the collaboration with key local suppliers as crucial to maintaining the Toyota DNA of QDR," concluded TRD's chief engineer, Stephen Castles.

The new TRD Aurion is expected to rival the Ford Falcon XR6 Turbos levels of performance, and like the XR6T could become a cult hit in Australia, particularly with enthusiasts and tuners.

Twin Vortices Supercharger

According to Eaton, the new patented TVS design features four-lobe rotors and high-flow inlet and outlet ports that greatly enhance thermal efficiency (negating the need for an intercooling in some instances), which enables greater volumetric capacity at higher revolutions per minute (RPM).

"We think the TVS(TM) is a game changer that will allow our customers to make more horsepower without the traditional engineering trade offs," commented Jeff Romig, the vice president and general manager of Eaton's supercharger business.

Previous Eaton Roots-type designs featured only three-lobe rotor assemblies. "The TVS design has remarkably improved efficiencies and broadens the performance range of the supercharger across an engine's entire performance range," stated Eaton's GM, Mr Romig.

Related articles:
- Toyota Corolla (2007)
- Toyota Supra (2010)
- Toyota Tarago V6 (2010)
- Toyota Aurion (2006)
- Toyota Aurius (concept)
- Toyota Camry (2006)
- Toyota Tarago (2006)
- Toyota RAV4 (2006)