Proof that Toyota is ready for F1!

Quite simply the greatest attribute of the Camry, apart from its large cabin and comfort has to be its outstanding engine and transmission package. Over the years Toyota has worked quite seriously on its engines but the lack of a proper racing effort - read that as everything else but F1 - meant that not many enthusiasts raved about their motors as much as one would engines powering Hondas or BMWs. The engine in the Camry is one such which is highly capable and bristling with high tech.

The Camry for India comes powered by the all-aluminium BEAMS 2.4-litre 2AZ-FE engine which sports VVT-i (refer exclusive tech details elsewhere in this feature) as also a large diameter long port intake manifold which is tuned to delivering smooth performance all across the rev range. Toyota’s VVT-i might not have similar awareness levels among enthusiasts as does Honda’s VTEC system but you have to drive the car as we did by putting it through the OVERDRIVE road test grind to appreciate its brilliance and pedigree.

The engine features oversquare cylinder dimensions with bore and stroke measuring 88.5 x 96.0mm making for a 2362cc displacement. The chain driven double overhead cam engine also features a magnesium cylinder head cover plus a plastic intake manifold which helps keep both weight and friction to very low levels. In addition to that the 2362cc engine also features a compact balancer shaft which makes this very large four near vibe-free.

The fuel-injected engine works on a 9.6:1 compression ratio and TKM engineers informed us that they had tested the car in Indian conditions without a bother. In India-spec the engine develops 149.87bhp (at 5600rpm) and 218Nm of torque at 4000rpm. The engine performance curves reveal a very linear torque spread with serious torque being made from as low as 3500rpm and stretching all the way to 6000rpm. One can now understand why the Camry did its maximum speed in fifth gear in our test.

With internal friction kept to a bare minimum with innovative thought, Toyota has gone on to mate the 2362cc engine with a five-speed manual transmission. It does offer - in other markets - the option of the Super-ECT four-speed automatic transmission but the five-speed manual with its positive detente shifts brilliantly compliments the engine performance. In certain markets, Toyota also offers an all-wheel drive version of the Camry while in markets like the US and Japan there is also the choice of a 3.0-litre V6 engine with matching five-speed auto ‘box. If there is demand this sort of tranny could materialise in India but presently the 2.4-litre engine with 5-speed manual is a great bit of kit on a car of its class and performance.