A bold new design language for a bold new Erin. Aeonara introduces a number of distinctive new design features that combine smooth flowing lines with modern, angular edges, to create a fresh but contemporary design.
It reflects Erin’s vision to extend its push for efficiency and performance further than ever before, and to cement its status as a leading company in the automotive world.
History
Current Head of Design at Erin Alexa di Atorgia took her position in late 2009 as the new CEO of the company Paul Erin began to prepare for the next generation of Erin vehicles. He wanted a new design language for these new cars, something that found its roots in the current styling of their cars but also something that felt like a change of direction.
Di Atorgia and her 22-strong team were given 9 months to develop this, and put it into show on a new concept car, from which the styling of new vehicles would then be derived. Research focused on areas that Erin really aimed to capture with their vehicles, particularly urban European areas and more affluent parts of the world.
After numerous meetings where design ideas were shared and extensive research, the team were all on the same page, and all that needed to be done was to apply this new style to a car. Over the winter of 2010/2011, the Aeonara concept was born, taking the form of a compact sedan.
The car was revealed at the 2011 Geneva International Motor Show, with an announcement that the first cars to receive this new look set to be launched around 2013 and 2014.
Overview
Erin’s premium mid-size sedan remains an innovative and striking car, now styled with the Aeonara design language, with three distinctive body variants and a range of engines to suit your needs.
The car that introduced the usage of aluminum and specialist alloys to the Erin range 18 years ago continues to in this 3rd generation, and is one of the lightest mid-size sedans currently on sale today, aiding it greatly when it comes to efficiency and handling.
A sharp and engaging driving feel, benefiting from the lightweight and taut chassis and double wishbone/multi link suspension, makes this the best driving version of the car yet.
In its current form, the Tauga bridges the gap between the regular mid-size sedans such as the Adenine Valence and Merciel Verona and the up-market offerings such as the Rennen Angeles and Sachiuri sL200.
Key features
Range-wide features that make this 3rd version of the car one of the most advanced Erins ever.
[ul]ADRAC Suspension: Adaptive-Reaction Suspension; a limited, cost effective, semi-active suspension system is included as standard on all models, to provide an adjustable and rewarding driving experience.
Limited Slip Diffs as standard: vastly improving traction and handling all trim levels in the range.
TapTouch™: custom designed, Android powered infotainment system that works alongside your smartphone, all controlled via a gorgeous 9" touchscreen display, including Gecko™ voice control.
Safety focused design: combinning a reinforced internal chassis with the latest in radar/lidar-based collision mitigation systems to make this the safest car Erin has ever made.
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The Range
Sedan: The standard version of the Tauga. A practical 4 door saloon with everything you’d expect on such a car.
Coupe: A 4 seat, 2 door version of the Tauga, with a specially re-engineered cabin that is lower than the base car to ensure good comfort and space for both front and rear passengers. The lightest version of the Tauga.
Engines
A comprehensive range of 4 turbo and N/A engines are currently available with the Tauga, utlising the latest innovations of Erin’s Pureon engines.
Please note: Specs vary between body variants. Automatic transmission options will generally achieve lower fuel economy than manul/sequential options.
At last! The first proper car for this new thread, with the new (and final) design style for this current generation of Erins. And, the Tauga is now actually on a mid-size body - we finally worked out the right wheelbase for out car range.
Comments, thoughts, critiques etc all very much encouraged!
This is a very stately and much more mature design from Erin. I think the Lex trim colour is the perfect combo for Tauga, the coupe is a pleasant surprise too.
One minor issue is that the sL200 is actually a compact. I looked into it a bit more and it’s wheelbase and length place it more on long the lines of the original Lexus IS and BMW E36. Which means the sL800 would be our mid-size entry against the Tauga.
Now I’ll be interested to see where the X department takes this design. Hopefully, they’ll be making a sedan, coupe and estate variants.
I feel like we should sticky a thread where some commonly agreed boundaries for the different segments are agreed on so there isn’t perpetual confusion and back and forth about which car competes with what and all that.
Overview
54 years after it first appeared on the road, the 8th gen Merna continues to be a leading innovator in the compact car market. A perfect choice for a family run about or for someone wanting a reliable, comfortable and fun small car.
This new version is a groundbreaking new design*, one that blends the boundary between hatchback and sedan into a shape that is ahead of its time. It allows for superb practicality, but is also very aerodynamic, greatly aiding fuel economy.
With a large and varied trim range, the Merna caters for those looking for cost effective motoring as well as a premium experience, and comes in liftback (Standard) and wagon (Tourer) body variants.
Proper Suspension: Double wishbones at the front, multi link at the rear, for a driving experience that delivers.
Superb practicality: Whether it be the Standard body or the Tourer body, the Merna makes use of every last bit of space it has available.
TapTouch™: custom designed, Android powered infotainment system that works alongside your smartphone, all controlled via a gorgeous 8" touchscreen display, including Gecko™ voice control.
Keeping costs down: Efficient Pureron engines keep tax and fuel costs low, while their clever design ensures cheap services and maintenance.
The Range
Standard: The 5 door liftback reimagined. A body shape that ensures great practicality without having a large footprint than the previous generation, whilst also being aerodynamic.
Overview
This is Erin, when there are no limits and no boundaries. Luxury and power, combined in an illustrious and bold package. The Aventa is the first limousine from the company for over 40 years, and is a defining expression of high end motoring.
The styling is bold, but not overdone. Understated details with smooth, wide shapes that follow the rounded lines across the length of the car. It makes an impression without being imposing.
Modern engineering mingles with old-school big-engine power and oppulence, evoking the classic GT cars of the 40s and 50s, only with a 21st century twist. This is not your usual chaffeur-driven, German-made super sedan.
And then, there is the Super Aventa; the ultimate marriage of unbelievable performance and unbelievable luxury. A 224 mph, V12 powered mountain mover, and one of the fastest four door production cars ever made.
Key Features
No-compromise luxury: features include champagne cooler, mood lighting, 12 monitor Harman International custom sound system, choice of metal, wood or composite interior finish, rear seat media and sat-nav control and adjustable sound proofing - choose how much you want to hear engine noise and sounds from outside.
Clever, advanced engineering: the first ever full aluminum body on an Erin vehicle, combined with a sleek, aerodynamic shape that doesn’t impact on interior space.
Economy and power: big engines with big power that still achieve the fuel consumption standard in this sector of the market.
Lex trim: The base level trim - if you can call it that - utilises a clever light-weight interior made of composite materials to boost fuel consumption whilst retaining excellent comfort and actually increasing the feeling of space inside.
Super Aventa: More than just a range-topper; the Super Aventa was born as a performance tuned version of the car, but became more of an experiment in just how much could be squeezed out of this car. A road-going business jet.
If I could afford it, I would most likely go for the Super Aventa. Just so that I can surprise unsuspecting supercars at the lights… And cruise all day in utter comfort later.
A special collaborative project between Erin and Revera to create a sharper, faster version of the Aventa luxury limousine. Revera conducted a restyling and reworking of the car from the inside out, combining the design styles of the two companies to stunning effect.
The 5.8l V12 that powers the Super Aventa has been turbocharged and tuned to produce 725 hp, whilst the suspension and brakes have all been updated. Extra aero work means that the car now only tops out at a mere 217 mph, but it’s now far more nimble and agile at lower speeds.
Honestly, I’m struggling to think of a crazier luxury car than this in terms of performance - or a better-looking one, inside or out! It’s a pity that so few production examples will be made, but this is a car whose USP is primarily based on exclusivity.
I’d have the 5.3 straight six in a dark blue if i had the money.
God help you if ever want to do an engine swap though…