Toyota Avalon has been firstly unveiled in 1994 and until know we have seen three different generation. Today, at the New York Auto Show Toyota has unveiled the fourth generation Avalon, a model that comes with a progressive and emotionally styled exterior design, improved dynamic performance, a greater degree of refinement, and a highly spacious, comfortable interior.

The model has been designed to attract younger buyers and features a sleek and expressive profile with a longer, sloping roofline, flared front fenders, and reduced front and rear overhangs. The car's interior combines comfort, convenience and technology. Toyota opted to combined premium materials with smoked chrome-metallic accents. The new Avalon has been crafted with innovative technologies such as advanced capacitive touch switches, a three color display screens that support the multi-information display, the audio/navigation interface, and the climate control panel.

Toyota did not offered any details on the car's engine just yet, but we expect to see the same 3.5-liter V6 engine maybe with improved output and fuel economy.

Updated 04/05/2012: This review has been updated with the official details, images and specs.

The exterior

The new Avalon has been designed by a youthful and talented team at the Calty Design Research Inc. facilities in Southern California and Michigan. It features a sleek and expressive profile, a longer, sloping roofline, flared front fenders, and reduced front and rear overhangs, lower vehicle height, and reduced body-to-tire gap.

Up front the model has received a wider, more assertive grille design provides a bolder front perspective, square Double-eye PES (Projector Ellipsoid System) headlamps with HID (High-Intensity Discharge)and elegant DRL (Daytime Running Lights). At the rear the new Avalon has received high-performance LED combination tail lamps, dual rear tailpipe outlets and a generally revised rear-body styling.

Depending on the customer's wishes the new Avalon can be ordered with either 17-inch or 18-inch alloy wheel and tire combinations.

The interior

The new generation Avalon is featuring a a modern, spacious, premium interior highlighted by abundant rear seat legroom. The front seat’s hip point has been lowered by 10 millimeters (0.4 inches), while the structural components of the sunroof and the headliner design have been optimized to help increase the cabin's roominess.

The interior has been crafted with sound absorbing materials, while the windshield and front side-glass panels utilize acoustic glass that helps control sound intrusion into the cabin.

The steering wheel, shift knob and seat are wrapped in reach leather trims and smoked chrome-metallic accents are applied to the instrument panel, center console, door panel, and steering wheel surfaces.

The center console is now featuring a convenient console tray, a USB port, AUX input terminal and three 12-volt power outlets to help facilitate device interface and charging. The new Avalon will offer a three color display screens that support the multi-information display, the audio/navigation interface, and a climate control panel.

The list of optional equipments will include elements like a JBL Synthesis Premium Audio system, HDD Premium Navigation with 7" screen, dynamic radar cruise control, heated and cooled front seats, heated rear seats, and a three-zone air conditioning system.

The engine

Toyota didn't revealed any specifications for the new generation Avalon, but you should expect to see under the hood the same 3.5 liter V6 engine. However, we expect a few changes regarding its output and fuel economy.

Prices

The 2013 Toyota Avalon will go on sale later this year. Prices will be announced at a later date.

The competition

The list of competitors for the new Avalon includes models like Buick LaCrosse and Hyundai Genesis. The 2012 LaCrosse is powered by a 2.4-liter Ecotec direct injection four-cylinder engine with the Hydra-Matic 6T40 six-speed automatic transmission. An eAssist system will help the sedan to deliver a fuel economy increased by 25%.

The Genesis will be offered in three different versions: a 3.8 version powered by a 333 HP 3.8-liter V6 engine, a 4.6 version with a 385 HP 4.6 V8 engine, while the most powerful version, R-Spec will get a 5.0-liter direct-injected V8 with an impressive output of 429 HP.