All You Want To Know About The All New Toyota Camry!!

Since being introduced in Malaysia in 1994, the Toyota Camry has been one of the most popular mid-sized sedans with almost 95,000 units sold up till the end of 2011. It has also been a class-leader for many years because it has been recognized as a truly world-class sedan with an intelligent design, ride comfort and performance. Needless to say, the trusted Toyota brand has been one of its strong points, along with quality, durability and reliability. This year, the Camry undergoes a full model change to a new generation which will be offered by UMW Toyota Motor Sdn Bhd in three variants - Toyota Camry 2.5V, Toyota Camry 2.0G and Toyota Camry 2.0E – with a choice of four colours, including Attitude Black (a new colour for the range). All versions feature Toyota’s renowned VVT-I (Variable Valve Timing with intelligence) 4-cylinder petrol engines and electronically managed automatic transmissions.

EXTERIOR

For the all-new Camry, the design team adopted the theme of ‘Rational Tech Dynamism’ with a sporty appearance. Understanding the tastes of the buyers of this model and also reviewing feedback from customers, the designers chose a simple, but bold, form with a focus on superior surface quality using new finishing methods.

Though, at a glance, the new frontal styling may seem similar to the previous generation, it has actually been completely redesigned to give a more majestic appearance. The headlamps and grille help to project a greater sense of width. The elevated bonnet also contributes to the majestic appearance with a noticeable difference in height with the top of the fenders giving a solid and strong image.

Viewed in profile, the all-new Camry’s modern and balanced shape is dynamic with a sense of volume and elegance. The rear of the cabin has been raised and tapers to a wedged shape towards the front, creating a design that appears to be in motion even when the car is not moving. The rear view of the all-new Camry emphasizes width through various details like the rear garnish and the shape of the lights, as well as the positioning of the reflectors.

Aerodynamic efficiency is always important for a car as it provides benefits such as stability, more comfortable motoring and lower fuel consumption. For the all-new Camry, aero-corners enable air to flow smoothly around the body while underneath, there are less openings and more covers have been installed to provide a smoother surface. Additionally, there are also small fins towards the rear area which manage airflow so that turbulence (which causes drag and instability) is reduced.

Extensive studies in Toyota’s own wind tunnel showed the designers that airflow along the sides of the car was turbulent and if it could be smoothened out, driving stability would be improved. To manage the airflow, aero stabilizing fins have been installed on the bases of the door mirrors which attach to the door frames. These small fins manage the airflow along the bodywork to shrink the boundary layer so that ‘sway’ within the layer is less and the car can be more stable.

Highlights of the exterior styling include:

- High Intensity Discharge (HID) projector headlamps which offer stronger illumination, lower electrical demands and longer service life

- LEDs for rear lighting units, with the third brake light having a lens that enhances appearances

- Bright plating for the radiator grille, foglamp covers and bonnet moulding for enhanced appearance

- High solar energy-absorbing glass for the windscreen to reduce transmission of heat from the sun

- More futuristic and aerodynamic design for door mirrors with integrated turn signals

- New alloy wheels with sporty designs – 16-inch for Camry 2.0E and 2.0G and 17- inch for the Camry 2.5V

INTERIOR

For this new generation of the Camry, the interior designers aimed to offer a design with a enhanced feeling of high quality as well as a more spacious visual and physical perception. This was achieved by revising the interior packaging to take full advantage of the enlarged cabin and redesigning a number of components. For example, the accelerator pedal and front seat have been moved forward and the rear seat hip point moved back, increasing the couple distance by 15 mm.

Likewise, the perception of greater space was achieved by providing an expanded field of view for the occupants. The shape of the front and centre roof pillars have been revised and even the headliner has been made as this as possible.

Also contributing to increased space for the rear passenger has been the revision of the back of the centre console box and backrests of the front seats. Knee space is significantly increased for the rear passengers, giving a greater sense of spaciousness. What cannot be seen but which will give the passengers a more comfortable journey is the redesign of the frame construction inside the seats. The backrests height and cushion length dimensions have been increased, giving more surface area that is in contact with the body.

When the front passenger’s seat is not occupied, it is possible to drop the headrest to a flat position so that rear passengers can enjoy better forward visibility for an increased sense of spaciousness. Continued from the previous generation is the provision of reclining and slide switches on the right side of the front passenger’s seat for use by the driver.

The new design of the dashboard retains the clean and elegant style that has been appreciated by Camry owners. For the new generation, it has a three-dimensional construction with contrasting textures and precise stitching that express modern sculptural design. Effective texture placement has enhanced the quality of the interior with complementary woodgrain accents, silver ornamentation and metal-accented trim inserted in conspicuous areas.

For virtually any driver, a comfortable and correct driving position can be obtained by not only adjustment of the seat but also the steering wheel which not only tilts up and down but can also be adjusted for reach. The large Optitron meters with a 3-dial layout are highly legible in all lighting conditions while the Multi Info Display (MID) in the middle provides information on distances travelled, outside temperature, average speed, cruising range, fuel consumption and journey time. Control switches for the audio system, air-conditioning system and MID are also positioned on the steering wheel, reducing the need for the driver to stretch to the centre area of the dashboard.

A new feature on the instrument panel is the Average and Instantaneous Economy Gauges. These are on the right side of the panel adjacent to the fuel level gauge and keep the driver informed of the fuel economy. Additionally, to help the driver to operate the car more efficiently, there is an Eco Driving Indicator Light which appears when the engine is running efficiently.

For convenience, the all-new Camry 2.5V comes with cruise control and a Smart Entry and Start System. The latter makes it unnecessary to use a key to lock/unlock the doors or to start the engine, which is done by merely pressing a button. Also new for this Camry generation are the redesigned control pads on the steering wheel which allow the driver to control and adjust various features without taking the hands off the steering wheel. In our hot tropical weather, cooling of the cabin is extremely important and the dualzone air-conditioning system for the all-new Camry has been extensively tested in

Malaysian conditions to provide the best performance. The system can be set to Auto mode which maintains a desired ambient coolness throughout the cabin or can be manually set. Rear occupants also get plenty of cool air through the vents at the back of the centre console box.

The high-quality Toyota audio system with 6 speakers has been customised for the cabin of the all-new Camry 2.0G and 2.0E, The head unit can receive AM/FM radio signals and play music CDs in the MP3 and WMA (Windows Media Audio) formats as well. AUX and USB with iPod connectivity are also provided in the centre console area which also includes a 120W 12V accessory power socket. For the Camry 2.5V, the audio system is more sophisticated with a 6.1-inch touchscreen, DVD player and additional features such as Bluetooth connectivity and a reverse camera display.

For the Camry 2.5V, rear seat comfort equipment are appropriately provided for a luxury sedan, such as a power back window sunshade and manual rear side window sunshades. Storage spaces have been improved with ease-of-use and added functionality having been given priority. As an example, a switch base panel tray at the bottom of the dashboard centre console has a shape and size that is suitable for storing a handphone, portable music player or other similar devices. Felt lining protects the device as well as reduces noise.

The cupholders between the front seats have also been designed to accept a variety of container types from large mugs to medium-sized water bottles. If not needed for containers, the centre divider can be removed so that the space can be used to store other types of items and closed with a lid. Storage spaces on the doors have also been improved and enlarged. Now, it is possible to store plastic bottles or A4-sized documents more easily on the front doors while for the rear doors, two plastic bottles or A4-sized documents can also be stored. There are two additional cupholders inside the centre armrest as well.

POWERTRAIN

The all-new Camry has two engine options: the 2.5-litre 2AR-FE and 2.0-litre 1AZ-FE. Both these state-of-the-art all-aluminium 4-cylinder DOHC 16-valve engines feature Variable Valve Timing with intelligence (VVT-i), an advanced mechanism which increases power, enhances fuel efficiency and reduces toxic emission levels. VVT-I enables the engine to perform at its best because the valve timing is continuously altered to suit any driving condition.

While the 1AZ-FE engine is an updated version of the one offered in the previous Camry, the 2AR-FE engine is brand new to the model and has Dual VVT-i which is more advanced as it optimizes the timing not only on the intake valve side but also the exhaust valve side. This enhances engine performance significantly while also improving fuel economy and reducing pollution.

Power and torque ratings for the two engines are among the best in their class: for the new 2AR-FE, maximum power is 133kW/181ps at 6,000 rpm with 231Nm of torque at 4,100 rpm, while the proven 1AZ-FE, with some internal improvements, delivers 109kW/148ps of power also at 6,000 rpm and 190Nm of torque is generated at 4,000 rpm. A new 6-speed Super ECT automatic transmission is fitted to the all-new Camry 2.5V. Besides offering an additional forward ratio, this highly efficient and responsive multimode transmission also gives the driver the option of manual sequential shifting when desired. With six ratios, the extended spread allows for smoother transitions between gears and at higher cruising speeds, the engine speed can be lowered to save fuel.

The transmission also has Flex-start control which makes use of the lock-up clutch to enhance power transfer efficiency and lower engine speed earlier, contributing to excellent fuel economy. Additionally, Flex lock-up control continues to operate after a change to second gear for enhanced driveability. For the all-new Camry 2.0E and 2.0G, there is a reliable and proven 4-speed Super ECT automatic transmission (with manual sequential shifting option) which offers quick response, smooth shifting and fuel efficiency, thanks to its low-friction technology.

CHASSIS

The suspension layout of the all-new Camry follows the proven arrangement of the previous generation. The engineers also took into account the effects of aerodynamics, which are much improved for the all-new Camry. These effects have also contributed to improved stability for the car allowing the damping performance to be further optimized to give better ride comfort. Straight line stability and a composed ride will be apparent in the all-new Camry.

Power-assisted rack and pinion steering is standard but now an electric motor is used instead of the traditional energizer pump. Without the pump, fuel economy is improved because there is no unnecessary drain of engine power to operate the pump. Furthermore, assistance from the electric motor is only provided when it is needed and from the environmental point of view, it is better since no oil is used for the system. The amount of assistance varies according to the speed, greater at lower speeds for easier manoeuvring and less at higher speeds to give the driver a firmer feel.

SAFETY

Toyota is fully committed to provide high-quality automobiles that have the highest possible levels of Active and Passive Safety. The standards applied are from Toyota’s own Global Outstanding Assessment (GOA), an in-house set of safety standards which are comparable or, in some areas, more demanding than international standards. Every new Toyota model, including the latest Camry, must be GOA-certified before it can go on sale.

For the Camry, large disc brakes have been fitted front and rear to increase stopping power. The brake system has ABS as standard for anti-lock capability so that braking on slippery surfaces is stable and the driver also retains steering control while braking. A new type of brake actuator has been installed which is more compact while low expansion brake hoses enhance feel by maintain a more consistent pressure in the system as the driver presses the brake pedal.

An additional feature is Electronic Brakeforce Distribution (EBD) which works with the ABS control unit to adjust braking force to the front and rear brakes according to road conditions and also the load on board. Brake Assist is also standard and provides extra power during emergency braking to compensate for the fact that many drivers do not apply as much pressure as they should. Though the Active Safety features in the all-new Camry can help a driver avoid an accident, there may be times when it can happen and this is where the GOA-certified body provides superior Passive Safety. Under the flowing lines of the sheet metal is a structure designed to absorb collision-impact forces and help minimize impact deformation to the passenger cabin. High-strength steel is used in strategic areas to help manage overall body deformation in the event of a side collision. Inside the cabin, even the seat frames are designed to receive and help absorb side collision loads and a crossmember in the centre of the floor is used for the same reason. The chassis was made more rigid by connecting the cowl front to the upper suspension. Toyota also thinks of other road-users as the all-new Camry’s bonnet and structure are pedestrian-friendly, helping to reduce injuries in a collision.

In the event of a frontal collision, the front occupants are protected by dual SRS (Supplementary Restraint System) airbags which inflate instantaneously to cushion them and also prevent head injuries. The airbags work together with the seatbelt system which has pre-tensioners to reduce forward motion. For the Camry 2.5V, there is also added protection with side airbags for the front occupants. The seats also have the Whiplash Injury Lessening (WIL) concept which reduces the possibility of whiplash injuries that occur during a rear-end collision. The head is normally thrown backwards suddenly which causes injury and the WIL concept provides support for the head and upper back to reduce this type of injury. Though the occupants will be restrained by seatbelts, their heads may be swung about and against parts of the cabin, causing injuries. Throughout the cabin’s upper areas, there is energy-absorbing material used to prevent such injuries.

ACCESSORIES

UMW Toyota Motor has developed a factory-approved aerokit which gives a sportier, more aggressive, appearance to the all-new Camry. Customers can specify this 5-piece accessory at the time of ordering and the aerokit will be installed at its own accessories centre in Bukit Raja, Selangor. Premium Security & Solar Film, which provides protection from glass breakage as well as heat from the sun, is optional for 2.0G and 2.0E but standard for 2.5V. For all variants of the all-new Camry, the optional DVD Audio Visual Navigation (DVDAVN) system now adopts integrated fascia design for enhanced appearance. While the reverse camera is already standard for 2.5V, it is packaged with the optional DVD-AVN for 2.0G and 2.0E.

EXTERIOR COLOURS

Four exterior colour choices are available for the all new Camry – White Pearl CS (not available for 2.0E), Medium Silver Metallic, Silver Metallic, and a new colour, Attitude Black.

WARRANTY

As with all of the latest Toyota models offered by UMW Toyota Motor, buyers of the all new Camry get a 3 year/100,000 km factory warranty (whichever comes first after original registration).

source: UMW Toyota Media Services