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The fourth-generation Toyota Alphard and Vellfire has been formally launched in Malaysia. UMW Toyota Motor (UMWT) is as soon as once more offering two choices for the nation’s hottest luxurious car – the Alphard in Govt Lounge spec and the ‘entry-level’ Vellfire. This submit appears on the Vellfire 2.5L, which is yours for RM438,000 on-the-road with out insurance coverage.
That’s RM100,000 lower than the Alphard 2.4T Govt Lounge, however you do get much less, after all. The most important change from the earlier template – except for the usage of the GA-Okay model of the Toyota New World Structure (TNGA) platform – is a turbo engine to switch the acquainted 3.5-litre V6. In Malaysia, solely the Alphard will get the turbo engine.
The entry degree
The Vellfire will get a carryover 2AR-FE 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine with 182 PS and 235 Nm of torque at 4,100 rpm. The naturally aspirated Twin VVT-i unit is paired to a Tremendous CVT-i gearbox with seven digital ratios within the handbook mode. High velocity is 170 km/h and claimed gas consumption is 9.1 litres per 100 km.
The Alphard’s 2.4-litre turbo engine not solely incurs decrease highway tax, but it surely has a considerable benefit of 96 PS and 195 Nm, and max torque (430 Nm) is made decrease and sustained for for much longer. It additionally has the next prime velocity (by 10 km/h) and higher gas consumption (by 0.1 L/100 km), so it’s clearly superior in each luxurious (Govt Lounge) and efficiency. You’re getting lots on your RM100k premium, really.
Talking of powertrains, in Japan, the most recent Vellfire comes with the selection of hybrid or turbo. The HEV, which we coated at GIIAS 2023, is a series-parallel hybrid that pairs a Dynamic Drive engine (particularly the A25A-FXS 2.5L NA with 190 PS/236 Nm) with an e-motor with 182 PS/270 Nm. Whole system output is 250 PS. The turbo choice is our Alphard’s 2.4T unit.
We’re getting an uncommon combo. In Japan, the Alphard is barely out there with the two.5L NA and HEV, whereas the Govt Lounge is hybrid-only. Right here, we get it with turbo. There, the sportier-flavoured Vellfire is HEV or turbo, however Malaysia will get the two.5L NA Maybe it’s as a result of Alphard being given the next positioning by UMWT, however we get inverse combos – Alphard EL turbo, Vellfire NA, each not out there in Japan.
Additionally, for the reason that Vellfire is the sportier twin, its suspension will get a entrance efficiency brace and the tyres are UHP Dunlops. These can be extra suited to the two.4T and never probably the most junior engine and a CVT. No hybrid in a rustic the place petrol is cheaper than Coke – and the place Vellfire drivers idle many of the day with out a care about FC – is comprehensible although. The hybrid is bought in each Thailand and Indonesia, by the best way.
Maxed out in measurement
The AH40 is likely to be instantly recognisable because the Alphard/Vellfire, but it surely’s all-new beneath with the TNGA platform. Dimensions clever, the Vellfire is a contact over 5 metres lengthy at 5,005 mm, however the 1,850 mm width and three,000 mm wheelbase are unchanged. Ditto the peak, which tops out at 1,950 mm.
Why didn’t they go larger? The Alphard/Vellfire could also be ubiquitous on our roads, but it surely’s primarily a mannequin for Japan. The field on wheels wants to suit commonplace automated parking techniques in its residence market, so that is the restrict. Nevertheless, inside area between the entrance and second-row seats, and between second- and third-row seats, are up by 5 mm and 10 mm respectively.
Toyota claims extra consolation and a greater drive. The brand new Alphard/Vellfire options straight rockers and a V-shaped brace within the rear for a 50% enchancment in rigidity. Toyota additionally optimised the usage of structural adhesives to restrict deformation of the physique and obtain ‘excellent manoeuvrability and stability’.
Final consolation is the mission right here, and measures like the usage of rubber bushings within the attachment parts of the cushion frames, and reminiscence foam within the seats, mix for about 30% discount in vibration.
A lot-improved cockpit
The outgoing Vellfire is already a really luxurious machine however this one takes issues a step additional. And it’s a giant step. Earlier than heading to the primary corridor, let’s check out the cockpit, which may be very Lexus in design and even supplies. All-black is the only choice right here (Alphard will get a beige-brown-black combo too), and all contact factors are coated in mushy supplies. The Vellfire makes use of artificial leather-based whereas the Alphard EL comes with Nappa leather-based.
Your chauffeur (or your self throughout the weekends) shall be taking a look at a 12.3-inch digital instrument panel (no head-up show), however the dashboard’s centrepiece is the 14-inch touchscreen that integrates AC (auto with entrance Nanoe X) and seat air flow/heating controls. From the previous-gen’s UMWT double-DIN, this manufacturing unit unit is leagues forward in each perform and look. There’s Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, wi-fi charging and a 15-speaker JBL sound system.
The steering wheel has woodgrain trim, heating and powered tilt/telescopic adjustment with reminiscence, but it surely does with out the Alphard’s electrostatic switches and paddle shifters. The steering controls are minimal, similar to the very clear centre console, which except for the top unit/AC, has just a few driving-related buttons behind the gear lever.
One other improve over the earlier automotive is the digital rear view mirror, which is fed by a discreetly built-in digital camera above the rear Toyota emblem. Lastly, the driving force’s seat is eight-way powered with reminiscence whereas the entrance passenger chair is four-way powered, each with heating and air flow. The driving force will get every kind of views to help in parking, and you may select the color of the avatar to match your Vellfire’s color. UMWT has added entrance and rear dashcams.
Airplane-style atmosphere
It’s an opulent workspace for the driving force, however the Alphard/Vellfire is all in regards to the boss seats within the rear. The Vellfire’s ‘Govt Energy Seat’ might not be as extensive and feature-rich because the VIP seat within the Alphard Govt Lounge, however they’re nonetheless very comfy. You get powered adjustment, ottoman, air flow and heating, a USB charger and a shared flip-up tray between the seats. Fold away the tray and you may stroll by the boss seats to entry the third row – this isn’t potential with the Alphard EL’s wider seats.
Including drastically to the airplane-style sense of event are the glass roof panels, bisected by a panel that has two flip-down sunglass bins, lights, controls and air conditioning vents. No display screen although, as that’s Alphard-only. Which means that every VIP seat will get its personal (mounted) roof glass panel with shade. Talking of shades, the digital facet window shades come down as an alternative go up – a small factor that I discover actually cool. No extra sunroof for the driving force on this era.
There’s no scarcity of charging and storage areas. Under the interior armrest is a USB-C port. The outer armrest has a flip-open cupholder. Behind the cockpit’s centre console lies AC vents, an AC plug and a bin, and beneath the entrance seats are slim trays that I can think about “lodge slippers” in.
There’s nothing a lot to say in regards to the third-row seats aside from the truth that technically, this can be a bench for 3 folks and the Alphard is a seven-seater. Finest for simply two although, and occupants have their very own USB-C ports (seven in whole), cupholders and digital sunshades.
Security as you’d count on
Because the AH40 Vellfire is a high-end mannequin that’s simply just a few months outdated in Japan, you’d count on it to come back with the most recent security options and it does. The Toyota Security Sense 3.0 driver help suite contains Pre-collision System (PCS), Lane Departure Alert (LDA), Dynamic Radar Cruise Management (DRCC) with Lane Tracing Help (LTA), Street Signal Help (RSA) and Adaptive Excessive-beam System (AHS).
These options are supplemented by Blind Spot Monitor (BSM) with Rear Cross Site visitors Alert (RCTA), six airbags, a tyre stress monitoring system and Isofix baby seat mounts. By the best way, the headlamps are tri-LEDs with sequential alerts (rear too), cornering lamps and daytime operating lights. UMWT’s commonplace difficulty dashcam (entrance and rear), car telematics system and photo voltaic/safety window movie are included.
Variations with the Alphard
Lastly, the design variations between the Alphard and Vellfire. Each have a a lot bigger grille space than earlier than, and the Vellfire’s is crammed with thick, chromed horizontal slats from prime to backside. They’ve combine the Vellfire’s signature cut up headlamps into the design. In comparison with the its twin, the Vellfire’s ‘jaw’ is sq. and outstanding because of a chrome border, which is repeated on the rear bumper.
On the again, it’s simple to inform each aside. Vellfire is spelled out prominently above the quantity plate, and the tail gentle sample is a ‘double-U’ with a full-width gentle bar. The latter is traced by a straight chrome line. The Alphard’s chrome trim is contoured, and it will get ‘sprint traces’ as LED DRLs and rear lights, with no gentle bar.
The facet profile of the field sports activities a outstanding beltline that appears like a ‘Z’. It’s at this Z intersection that you just discover the brand new Vellfire ‘V’ emblem, which additionally will be discovered on the important thing fob.
No distinction within the 19-inch two-tone wheel design, however the 225/55 tyres are completely different – Michelin Primacy SUV+ touring tyres for the Alphard and Dunlop SP Sport Maxx UHP rubber for the Vellfire. Because the sportier twin, the Vellfire additionally will get a entrance efficiency brace that connects the radiator help and facet members for further rigidity.
The sporty one additionally comes with an all-black inside theme, from the seats to the dashboard, pillars and headlining. The Alphard provides you a alternative of this secure, or a brighter, hotter mixture of black (headlining and higher sprint), brown and beige upholstery. As for exterior colors, Vellfire consumers can select from pearl white, silver or black.
As soon as once more, the Vellfire 2.5L is priced at RM438,000 on-the-road with out insurance coverage, RM100,000 lower than the Alphard 2.4T Govt Lounge at RM538,000. Shopping for these CBU Japan imports from official importer UMWT will get you a five-year limitless mileage manufacturing unit guarantee and dependable after-sales help. What do you consider the Alphard/Vellfire as a luxurious enterprise machine versus huge sedan limos just like the BMW i7? Click on on the hyperlink to go to the Alphard submit.
GALLERY: 2024 Toyota Vellfire 2.5L
GALLERY: 2024 Toyota Vellfire 2.5L official pictures
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