KansasCity.com's view

Toyota’s Avalon has undergone a complete redesign and will be in dealer showrooms in February.

The original Avalon was designed to be Toyota’s “Buick,” an American car whose sole job was to appeal to traditional American buyers. It even came with a bench front seat for those who wanted one. It was built on a Camry platform and shared the Camry’s mechanical bits.

The 2005 Avalon, at least according to preliminary photographs and press information, appears to be a Lexus for the masses. It is offered in four models with prices ranging from $26,350 for the base car to a top of $33,540 for the Limited. The Touring starts at $28,600 and the XLS at $30,800.

The Touring model has leather seats, 17-inch wheels and a firmer suspension. The XLS adds a power moonroof, six-disc CD changer, auto-dimming mirrors and an anti-theft system. The Limited features a JBL stereo, heated front seats, rear sunshade and a Smart Key system.

The Avalon, which is 10 years old this year, is assembled at Toyota’s plant in Georgetown, Ky. It was designed in Toyota’s California design center and it was engineered in America. It went from styling approval to production in 18 months, a very short time.

The Avalon’s profile has a very Lexus-like look. Lexus is the American luxury division of Toyota. The top is low and slightly angular, while the sides are nicely sculpted.

The engine is a 3.5-liter V-6 with variable valve timing and a dual-stage intake manifold. This engine produces 280 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque, a 33 percent improvement over the current model. Toyota says this is the most powerful V-6 ever offered in its U.S. lineup.

This engine propels the Avalon to 60 miles per hour in 6.6 seconds, according to Toyota. It is rated at 22 miles per gallon in the city and 31 on the highway. In addition, this engine meets the Ultra Low Emission Vehicle standard.

The engine is coupled to a five-speed automatic transmission with a sequential shift feature that allows drivers to change gears manually when they prefer.

The 2005 Avalon rides on a 4-inch-longer wheelbase, and it is 1 inch wider.

The interior has a seven-way adjustable steering column and a flat rear floor. The rear seat reclines up to 10 degrees.

Toyota engineers reduced wind and cabin noise by refining the shape of the windshield pillars and side mirrors and lowering the windshield wipers. The Limited even has an acoustic windshield.

The new wipers have a low profile that results in reduced wind noise. Toyota also said the new wipers are less prone to freezing.

Other Avalon features include turn-signal indicators in the side mirrors of the Limited and “puddle lamps” in the mirrors that illuminate the area alongside the car door.

The Touring and Limited models get high-intensity-discharge, or HID, headlights with auto leveling.

Standard features include a premium AM/FM/cassette/CD stereo system with nine speakers, dual-zone automatic climate control with air filtration, remote keyless entry, power door locks with anti-lockout feature, power windows with automatic up/down for driver and passenger, fabric front bucket seats, multi-adjustable power driver’s seat and center console storage area.

More upscale models have steering-wheel-mounted climate controls and a tilt and telescoping steering wheel.

The side airbags provide a larger coverage area, while side-curtain airbags provide even more protection. The driver gets a knee airbag.

Antilock brakes are standard. A vehicle stability program, with traction control, is optional. Other available features include a navigation system, dynamic laser cruise control and a remote engine starter.

I will have a test drive when a production vehicle is available.

Engine: 3.5-liter, 280-hp V-6

Transmission: Automatic

Front-wheel drive

Wheelbase: 111 inches

Curb weight: 3,545 lbs.

Mpg rating: 22 city, 31 hwy.