Toyota Motor Corp. said Monday it will add the Venza to its lineup by the end of the year, calling the vehicle a “crossover sedan” that fits somewhere between the Camry and Highlander.

The Venza, based on the same platform as the Camry, features a bold chrome grille and long lines stretching to a rear hatch.

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Toyota unveiled the Venza at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit. It emerged at Monday’s press conference from the rear of a room packed with journalists and drove down the center aisle to take the stage.

The Venza is targeted at customers who want the room of an SUV but the fuel economy and ride of a sedan, said Bob Carter, Toyota division group vice president and general manager.

“This product was developed because we saw buyers sitting on the fence when it comes to choosing between an SUV and a car,” Carter said.

The Venza, a five-passenger vehicle, will offer 2.7-liter four-cylinder and 3.5-liter V6 engines. Both will be paired to a six-speed sequential shift automatic transmission. The V6 will be capable of towing 3,500 pounds.

The Venza will come in front- and all-wheel-drive versions, offer a panoramic roof and 19- or 20-inch alloy wheels. It will be sold exclusively in North America and built at Toyota’s Georgetown, Ky., plant, where the Camry is built.

Carter described the Venza as breaking new ground. “Our hope is that we’re going to launch a new segment,” he said.

But several automakers have similar offerings that split the gap between sedan and SUV. These vehicles fits into a segment called crossovers, essentially wagons or utility vehicles built on car frames. Crossovers have been growing in popularity in recent years as consumers move away from traditional SUVs, built on heavier truck frames.

The Venza will compete with other car-based crossovers, such as the Ford Edge and Nissan Murano.

Toyota did not announce pricing, but Carter said it will be somewhere between the Camry, which starts at $18,750, and the Highlander, which starts at $27,300.

Toyota also is still determining sales targets but expects to sell about 70,000 in the first full year, Carter said.

By: JOE GUY COLLIER
FREE PRESS BUSINESS WRITER