The hall was crowded to capacity when I arrived, but as usual I held my almost professional-grade Canon high for all to
 |
| After the prerequisite speeches, the room went abuzz with the unveiling of Toyota's new Avalon. (Photo: Toyota Canada) |
see and wiggled forward saying, "Gotta take photos, coming through..." as the waves of people parted like the waters of the Red Sea. Toyota, in its wisdom, saved seats right up front for those with cameras, so I joined my comrades, many of which no doubt brought their digital SLRs along if only to get the best seats in the house.
After the prerequisite speeches, the room went abuzz with the unveiling of Toyota's new Avalon. Like me, the majority were impressed with the car's elegant styling, and upon finding out what lurked under the hood the excitement continued.
I suppose its all-new 3.5-litre V6 is why I was initially so eager to drive the car. Topping any V6 in its class, the Avalon
 |
| Topping any V6 in its class, the Avalon boasts 280-horsepower in standard trim, complemented by 260 lb-ft of tire-spinning torque. (Photo: Trevor Hofmann, Canadian Auto Press) |
boasts 280-horsepower in standard trim, complemented by 260 lb-ft of tire-spinning torque. Despite the high numbers, there isn't a hint of torque-steer, the bane of high-power front-wheel drive cars. Nissan's Maxima, for instance, produces less power and torque, and its torque-steer makes the car unwieldy at full throttle. Other full-size competitors include Ford's new Five Hundred, extremely large but only offering 200-horsepower through its 3.0-litre V6, Hyundai's XG 350 making even less at 194-horsepower but also due to be replaced soon, and Chrysler's 3.5-litre V6-powered 300 Limited. At 250-horsepower it moves along with relative ease, although its hefty curb weight makes the 1,583 to 1,615 kilogram (3,490 to 3,560 pound) Avalon feel lithe in comparison.
