Toyota Launches Redesigned Flagships Vans
Last week saw the announcement of two more salvos from Mazda and Honda into the crowded Japanese minivan market. This week, it’s Toyota’s turn, with an all-new redesigned Alphard. However, the flagship ubervan has now been split into two models, with its reskinned twin called the Vellfire.
The vans are identical in all aspects except for sheetmetal, so the only way to distinguish the Alphard, named after the brightest star in the constellation Hydra and long the top-of-the-line full-size luxury van in Toyota’s lineup, from the newcomer Vellfire, named by combining the words “velvet” and “fire,” is by some marketer’s arbitrary adjectives. According to Toyota, the Alphard will be targeted at buyers looking for elegance and refinement while the Vellfire will be for those seeking power and innovation.
Mechanically they are completely identical and will be powered by either Toyota’s 2AZ-FE 2.4L four cylinder mated to a CVT or 7AT or 2GR-FE 3.5L V6 paired with a 6AT. Though initially sold in front-wheel-drive format, an AWD version will be introduced August 1.
The interiors will seat 7 or 8, depending on trim and option level. Coddling will be excessive, with rear seats that, surrounded by indirect LED mood lighting, recline electronically. The climate control includes a humidity sensor so you don’t sweat to much while rocking out to the 18-speaker sound system, which includes bamboo fiber diaphragm speakers.
Alphard:
Vellfire:
[Toyota]