Indiacar.com - New Camry

We were the first to tell you about the new Camry. And we are the first to drive Toyota’s Accord-baiter.

Anyone who has ever driven a Camry knows that it is a superbly-engineered vehicle that seamlessly blends refinement, quality, comfort, and respectable, if not heart-pounding, performance. Toyota admits, though, that in the past the Camry has not exactly sizzled with excitement; especially, in terms of its exterior styling. So this time, the carmaker gave its designers more latitude in shaping the sheet metal. The resulting sedan is far more elegantly contoured than its predecessor. Its winged grille, streamlined, eyebrow-shaped projector headlamps, strong shoulders, high waistline and BMW 7-series-inspired rear deck give it an upscale, athletic appearance.
The Camry’s look of substance is also enhanced by its 2776mm wheelbase — some 56mm longer than before — and its 30mm-wider front and rear tracks, which push the newly standard 16-inch wheels farther out to the corners of the car to give it a strong stance. The car’s overall length, however, remains the same at 4805mm.
Under the new Camry’s curvaceous hood, you’ll find the same 2.4liter (2362cc) four-cylinder, DOHC 2AZ-FE engine as before, but it’s been upgraded with a new intake manifold and a reinforced cylinder block. Already one of the world’s most refined fours thanks partly to dual counter-rotating balance shafts, the 2AZ-FE now boasts an acoustically decoupled alternator pulley to further quell noise and vibration. Lighter pistons, a slightly higher compression ratio (9.8:1 from 9.6:1), and revised intake valve timing help raise the redline from 6000rpm to 6200rpm. Either a five-speed manual or a five-speed automatic will be available.

Power is up slightly, from 154 to 158bhp — the Indian version may get 148bhp. Torque is now up to 22.6kgm from the present 20.9kgm; plenty of output to propel this 1500kg car, if not turn it into a sport sedan. At low revs, the engine purrs as softly as a contented cat, but as you row through the gears toward redline, it responds not only with smooth acceleration, but also a pleasantly rewarding growl. The manual transmission engages smoothly, and the clutch pedal provides satisfying take-up action, but the tall stick of a gearshift lever looks and feels like it’s left over from a 1980s video game console. Toyota ought to provide a more organically-shaped gearshift knob.
The company is planning to introduce six-cylinder models as well to compete with the Accord 3-litre V6. And on paper, the Toyota’s 3.5-liter V6 DOHC, 24-valve 2GR-FE unit, which sends 268bhp (again figures for India are likely to be slightly lower) and 34.28kgm of torque looks set to beat the Accord V6. This combined with an all-new, six-speed automatic transmission, sees the Camry accelerate urgently into triple-digit territory.
As before, the Camry’s suspension consists of MacPherson struts in front and a dual-link strut system at the rear. But for 2007, the lower control arms are longer and the spring and damper rates have been revised. With the move to the larger standard wheels (16-inch versus 15-inch) came the need for bigger brakes. So you have the Camry equipped with 296mm ventilated discs in front and 281mm solid discs at the rear. Toyota Brake Assist, which uses electronic sensors to detect emergency braking situations and helps apply maximum braking power, is standard. The Camry is offered in CE, LE, and XLE grades, which are differentiated mainly in their levels of standard and optional equipment.
The American market also gets a sportier SE model, with a stiffer suspension and a body kit; as well as a hybrid model featuring the first application of Toyota’s acclaimed Hybrid Synergy Drive powertrain in a Camry. However, India is unlikely to see the sporty or hybrid variants of this Toyota.

Like any front-wheel-drive car, the Camry will understeer when its front tyres are subjected to extreme slip angles, but it’s not excessive. The brakes are responsive and progressive, and pedal feel is good. It is easy to place the car on the road thanks to excellent forward sightlines and a commanding seating position. Compared with the old Camry, the new model provides more communicative steering, a slightly firmer ride, and impressive grip. Toss the car into a corner, and it doesn’t wallow or protest, demonstrating good body control.
Extensive use of ultra-high-strength steel in the Camry’s body structure not only improves torsional rigidity and chassis control, but it also provides a very protective crash structure in case of a collision. This is a car that soothes and comforts its driver from the moment he or she slides behind the wheel. Every mechanical function, from the powertrain to all the chassis functions to the seats that glide silently to and fro, operates at the highest levels of sophistication, refinement, and unobtrusiveness. This is what Toyota does so well: designing, engineering, and integrating all the thousands
of parts that comprise a modern car into one cohesive whole, then making the driver feel like the most pampered and important cog in the resulting machine.
Toyota endeavoured to maximise the Camry’s cabin space within the confines of an exterior shape that’s no larger than before. To that end, designers pushed the bottom of the windshield forward, for a more airy and open feel. Front seats that are slimmer in profile also add to the feeling of spaciousness, and they feature an anti-whiplash headrest design.
Camry drivers will enjoy a beautifully crafted instrument panel with all primary and secondary controls arranged logically and ergonomically. Some models have touches of snazzy modern semi-translucent coloured plastic trim to complement the more traditional faux-woodgrain trim.
Overall, the effect, especially on the top-line XLE model, is akin to the atmosphere found in cars from Toyota’s Lexus luxury division. Drivers even gaze at a beautifully lit, optitron gauge cluster, just like
in a Lexus.

The top-of-the-line XLE model even features a special fabric treated by the Fraichir process, where the individual fabric fibres are coated with Sericin. Sericin, by the way, is a protein component of silk cocoons that contains a natural moisturiser to sooth skin that comes in contact with the seats. This process is also used in cosmetics and upscale clothing and furniture fabrics in Japan. The standard 60/40-split rear seats fold forward to maximise the boot’s cargo capacity. The XLE though, makes available 40/20/40-split configuration, which allows the outboard backrests to recline manually in three positions: 21, 25, and 29 degrees from vertical.
Rear-seat passengers also enjoy a claimed 973mm of legroom, versus 960mm in the previous Camry. Rear-seat headroom measures 960mm. Shoulder room, 1440mm and hip room, 1369mm. For those Camrys equipped with the optional moonroof, rear-seat occupants also get dedicated reading lamps. Overall, the Camry’s rear seat is certainly no penalty box.
All of the available audio systems include MP3 playback capability, DSP and a standard audio input jack for iPods and other portable audio devices. The standard, 160-watt CD stereo has six speakers. An optional JBL premium audio system includes eight speakers and Bluetooth wireless telephony connectivity. However, it’s possible that, like with the earlier Camry, Toyota-Kirloskar Motors (TKM) will use a locally available sound system to save on costs. Fully automatic, dual-zone climate control is optional and includes what Toyota calls a Plasmacluster ion generator to reduce airborne germs, odours, and mould growth.
The Camry’s comprehensive safety equipment includes front air bags, front and rear side curtain air bags, front-seat side air bags, and a driver’s knee air bag. Anti-lock brakes and electronic brake-force distribution (EBD) also are standard. Vehicle stability control (VSC) with traction control is available on all grades. The Camry is an intelligently conceived and crafted automobile. It leans more toward the luxury side of the equation than to sport, but that’s probably the right calculus for most of its intended audience. This car promises refinement, comfort, quality, reliability, and a feeling of controlled serenity behind the wheel. We expect that owners will receive nothing less.
The Camry will be launched this month at an estimated price range of Rs 21 lakh (ex-showroom). It will still be more expensive than the Accord but the fresh design, sumptuous interiors and more power might just be the ingredients to pull some Accord buyers.