|
Home | News | Road Tests | ||||||||||||
New Toyota Camry Announced
The appeal of Toyota Camry - Australia's best-selling mid-size car for the past 15 years - has been boosted by upgrades that further improve its fuel-efficiency, styling, features and value. Fuel-consumption on the volume-selling automatic models has been improved by more than 11 per cent to 8.8 litres per 100 km* on the official combined cycle. The lower fuel use has been achieved by changes to the 2.4-litre four-cylinder petrol engine and the five-speed automatic transmission. Camry has also been enhanced inside and out with new styling as well as added safety and convenience items. Instantly visible are the newly designed grille and front bumper, larger lower intake, larger projector headlamps and restyled tail lamps. All Camry models now have six airbags, Bluetooth®** hands-free telephone compatibility, sound systems with at least six speakers, an auxiliary audio-input jack and LED tail lamps. Camry Ateva and Camry Grande are now fitted with a rear view camera. Other new Camry Grande features include Smart Entry and Smart Start, reversing sonars, an upgraded audio system and electrochromatic rear-view mirror. The improvements, along with revised prices - some of which have been reduced - have increased the overall value represented by Toyota Camry. Better fuel economy Fuel consumption for the five-speed automatic Camry drops to 8.8 litres per 100 km* compared with 9.9 litres per 100 km* for the previous model. The introduction of flex lock-up control allows the clutch in the torque converter to maintain a half-engaged position, enhancing fuel efficiency and increasing the lock-up clutch's operating range. During acceleration, efficiency is improved by controlling the amount of drive power distributed from the lock-up clutch and torque converter. When the driver's foot lifts off the accelerator pedal and the car is decelerating, the point at which fuel will be injected to prevent rough idling or stalling has been reduced to 800 rpm (previously 1,100 rpm). At the same time, flex lock-up control remains activated to take advantage of the engine's fuel-saving capabilities. Mapping for the electronic throttle has been revised to take greater advantage of reduced engine friction at lower engine speeds. Shift points have also been altered to improve fuel efficiency and enhance the overall driving experience. Camry's alternator pulley now has a one-way clutch to reduce belt tension, thereby reducing drag on the crankshaft. The adoption of LED tail lamps also contributes because they consume less energy. Engine output remains unchanged with maximum power of 117 kW at 5,700 rpm and peak torque of 218 Nm at 4,000 rpm. Improved value Prices have been maintained for the automatic entry-level Camry Altise and for the top-of-the-line Camry Grande. The automatic Camry Ateva and Camry Sportivo models have been repositioned with prices for both models reduced by $1,260^. Styling updates Changes to the nose incorporate an integrated design with feature lines on the bonnet flowing down to the body-coloured bumper. The curved grille bars on Altise, Ateva and Grande models accentuate the Toyota logo, while chrome accents add a prestigious appearance. Sportivo is clearly differentiated by a distinctive black lattice-shaped pattern for the grille and lower intake. It also features a redesigned front spoiler that is wide and low to enhance the car's sporty appearance. The side of the Sportivo is now sportier and more contemporary with the removal of the side mouldings. Rear styling for all models has been improved with new garnishes in chrome for Grande and body-colour for other models. The 12 LEDs in the tail lamps enhance safety because they activate more quickly than filament bulbs. They are also more efficient, consuming less power. Camry Altise gets a new seven-spoke cap for its 16-inch steel wheels; Ateva's 16-inch alloys feature a new 10-spoke design; and Sportivo and Grande are now fitted with machined five-spoke 17-inch alloys. A new colour, Liquid Metal, is added across the range, while Inferno and Tungsten have been deleted. Inside, the surround for the upper instrument panel on all models is darker. New interior colour trims and seat fabrics have also been introduced. Instrument panel changes include improved appearance for the combination meter and clearer indicator and warnings signals. A warning signal will sound continuously if the car is moving while the handbrake is engaged. Camry Altise now joins all other models by gaining a shift position indicator and outside temperature indicator. On all models, a storage area with auxiliary audio input and 12 Volt socket has been added in place of the ashtray and cigarette lighter.
NEW FEATURES Camry Altise Side and curtain airbags
Camry Ateva Rear-view camera
Camry Sportivo Dual-zone climate control air-conditioning
Camry Grande Smart Entry
WHAT DOES CAMRY MEAN? Camry: From the Japanese Kan-Muri, meaning "crown". MANUFACTURE Camry and its 2.4-litre four-cylinder engine are built at Toyota's Altona manufacturing plant in Melbourne, Victoria. Toyota directly employs more than 3,000 people in Victoria and more than 4,500 nationally. NUMBERS In 2008, over 114,000 four-cylinder Camry sedans were produced at Altona. Most were exported, mainly to the Middle East. Toyota Camry has been produced in Australia since 1987 with total volume close to 1.5 million. SUCCESS Toyota Camry is now in its 16th year as Australia's best-selling mid-size car. It is also Australia's biggest automotive export earner, being shipped to more than 20 countries. CAMRY PRICES Camry Altise $29,990^
CAMRY OPTIONS Altise
Ateva
Sportivo
Grande
Notes:
| ||||||||||||
More Toyota News ..... here
About | Car Clubs | Home | News | Road Ramblings | Road Tests | Subscribe | Top Drive © 2009 All rights reserved. Next Car Pty. Ltd. |
