Toyota Alphard and Vellfire 2023 launched – more spacious, more luxurious interior; TNGA; 2.5L NA, 2.4T, 2.5L hybrid

Toyota finally revealed the all-new Alphard and Vellfire, with both MPVs available for purchase in Japan starting today. The price of the Alphard ranges from 5.4 million to 8.72 million yen (RM17,170 to RM286,096), while the Vellfire is from 6.55 million (RM214,900) to 8.92 million yen (RM292,658). The Japanese automaker is also offering the first vehicle as a Welcab-enabled mobility vehicle, with prices ranging from 4.72 million yen to 5,648 million yen (RM154,865 and RM185,313).

Now built on the GA-K version of Toyota’s New Global Architecture (TNGA), the Alphard and Vellfire feature straight rockers and V-shaped bracing in the lower rear of the vehicle for a 50 percent improvement in rideability. stiffer than previous versions. predecessor. Toyota also optimized the use of structural adhesives to limit body deformation and achieve “unsurpassed maneuverability and stability.

Both models use MacPherson struts up front and an updated double wishbone rear suspension, with specific variants featuring sport dampers that mechanically adjust damping force based on frequency. vibrations transmitted from the road surface. Together with other measures such as the use of rubber bushings in the mounting parts of the cushion frame and memory foam in the seats, the duo reduces vibration by about 30%.

In terms of dimensions, both MPV models are longer than before at 4,995 mm but keep the same width (1,850 mm) and wheelbase (3,000 mm). The height of the car is little changed, ranging between 1,935 mm and 1,945 mm depending on the model and variant selected.

Toyota says these numbers are necessary to ensure the MPV fits within the size restrictions of the standard automatic parking system in Japan (5,000 mm in length and 1,850 mm in width). Even so, the development team has succeeded in increasing the distance between the front and second row seats, and between the second and third row seats to 5mm and 10mm respectively.

To get it a bit weird, the Japanese automaker says it’s achieved this by making modifications to both the driving position and the construction of the second row of seats, making both the trim above the third row of seats and thinner rear door trim. and try multiple sizes with 0.1 mm spacing.

In terms of styling, the Alphard and Vellfire continue to be the same boxy cars as before. Designed around the ‘Powerful x Impactful’ concept, Toyota says it “seeks to establish a solid feel to the vehicle, like a fighting bull when fully charged.

It’s always been known that the Alphard has a different look than the Vellfire and you can identify the previous Alphard by its large grille with “plated” details and chrome accents. The Alphard’s headlights also appear to be a bit slimmer, coming with signature LED daytime running lights that include dashed lines neatly integrated into the grille.

Meanwhile, the Alphard has a sportier look with thick horizontal bars on the grille and large fake air intakes in the corners. The daytime running lights below the headlights are more common because they are just a light bar.

At the rear, the taillights on the Alphard have the same dashed lines as the headlights, with a downward-facing chrome strip linking them. Instead, the Vellfire’s taillights have U-shaped details and a decorative bar that runs straight across the tailgate. The side panels of both MPVs are identical, with a prominent border forming a ‘Z’ between the front doors before moving to the rear.

The shape of the MPV poses challenges when it comes to reducing wind noise, but Toyota says it has taken several measures to help with this. These include optimizing the geometry of the roof sections, door mirrors and A-pillars exposed to the wind. In addition, the tires are low-noise and the addition of sound-absorbing materials in the tires helps to counteract road noise.

“By suppressing the amount of noise generated and by setting the frequency of the sound waves to balance, the interior promises a pleasant quiet, like being in the middle of a forest,” the company claims. For that, the overall interior of the Alphard and Vellfire has been significantly improved for the new generation.

The dashboard is now cleaner and with fewer buttons than before, with many of the vehicle’s functions, including climate control, now integrated into a touchscreen located just above the center vent. Other changes include a more modern gear lever located in the center console along with electronic parking brake control buttons (with automatic brake hold function), driving modes and traction control, in when the driver receives a digital instrument cluster and a new steering wheel design.

The main draw of these models, of course, is making sure the rear passengers are well taken care of, and from the start, the Alphard and Vellfire were the first Toyota vehicles to feature the Universal Steps on both the side sliding doors. right and left.

When the door is open, a ladder will rise about 220 mm above the ground, lowering the height of the first step for customers to get in and out of the vehicle. Long support handles are also arranged on the C-pillar and on both sides of the ceiling to ensure comfortable entry and exit.

Once inside, passengers can enjoy the extra-long overhead console that brings lighting elements around the interior, switches and air-conditioning vents to the center of the ceiling instead of both sides of the ceiling. as before.

That’s not all, as the sunroof uses right and left shaders that can operate independently so that some occupants can choose to see the sky while others choose to block sunlight. God. As for the side windows, they have pull-down sunshades (a first for the duo according to Toyota).

Alphard comes in two variants, namely Z and Executive Lounge, while Vellfire is offered in Z Premier and Executive Lounge options. All variants have 6 seats with a 2-2-2 layout, with the second row having two chief seats with power-adjustable benches.

The Executive Lounge is the place most bosses, VIPs, CEOs and catering staff will want as the captain chair in this variant also comes with a retractable table as well as heating and ventilation functions. If that wasn’t enough, the seats also come with a removable dashboard that allows passengers to adjust media playback, climate settings and sunshade.

Powertrains available for the Alphard include a 2AR-FE 2.5-liter naturally aspirated four-cylinder petrol engine that produces 182 PS (180 hp) at 6,000 rpm and 235 Nm of torque. at 4,100 rpm. The factory is mated to a Super CVT-i transmission and a choice of front- and all-wheel drive.

The second option for the Alphard is a serial parallel hybrid system with a Dynamic Force engine, namely the A25A-FXS 2.5 liter NA four-cylinder with 190 PS (188 hp or 140 kW) at 6,000 rpm and 236 Nm of torque from 4,300 to 4,500 rpm.

The engine is boosted by a 5NM electric motor with 182 PS (180 hp) and 270 Nm for a total system output of 250 PS (247 hp or 184 kW). An electronic continuously variable transmission (E-CVT) is used for the hybrid system, which can either drive the front wheels or drive all four wheels. The latter is called the E-Four layout and adds a 4NM electric motor at the rear, producing 54 PS (54 hp or 40 kW) and 121 Nm – the hybrid’s electric motor(s) are linked to nickel metal 5 Ah hydride battery (NiMH).

As for the Vellfire, it is also offered with the same hybrid powertrain as the Alphard, but its replacement is a turbocharged engine. T24A-FTS is also used by fancier Lexus LM500h and is a 2.4 liter four-cylinder unit with 279 PS (275 hp or 205 kW) and 430 Nm. All-wheel drive is also offered with this engine if you can’t get front-wheel drive, but the transmission is Toyota’s eight-speed Direct Shift-8AT.

While Lexus LM features a top-of-the-line 500 hour model turbo plug-in hybrid with a six-speed automatic transmission and a rear electric eAxle, this engine variant is unlikely to be available in the Alphard and Vellfire until launch time.

The Vellfire has always been referred to as the “sportier Alphard” and this is reinforced not only by the availability of a turbocharger, but also by the Performance Front Bracing that is exclusive to this model. This connects the radiator brackets and side panels, which adds rigidity to the bodywork and provides outstanding responsiveness even when accelerating from the start.

In terms of driver assistance, the Toyota Safety Sense suite includes things like automatic emergency braking and a number of features highlighted by the automaker. This is an Active Driving Assist System that predicts driver input and adjusts steering response for smoother driving assistance (Lane Steering Assist) as well as an early deceleration assist, for allows the driver to turn left or right more easily (Deceleration Assist Turning at Intersection).

Another useful system that comes with Toyota Teammate includes Advanced Park, which allows owners to park remotely or exit parking spaces from outside via a smartphone app (useful when dealing with parking lots). tight parking). Meanwhile, Advanced Drive offers traffic jam assistance, reducing driver fatigue (that’s adaptive cruise control with low-speed assist).

In Japan, Toyota expects sales of the Alphard and Vellfire to reach 8,500 units per month, with the Alphard accounting for about 70% and the Vellfire accounting for about 30%.

The previous generations of both MPVs are Sold in Malaysia by UMW Toyota Motor, so there is a possibility that we may also receive new ones through an official channel. What do you think of the latest Alphard and Vellfire?