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Camry: taking back the streets with aggressive new styling
A new emotionally-charged design and performance experience with aggressive exterior character lines defines the 2018 Toyota Camry.
The new TNGA platform allows more freedom in design, resulting in a more athletic look with a lower bonnet and roof, more engaging driving position and improved driving dynamics due to its lower centre of gravity and greater torsional rigidity.
“Don’t think of this Camry like the previous 8 generations. There is a reason why the Camry is featuring as a finalist of World Car of the Year- This is the best Camry ever built,” says Neeraj Lala, Toyota New Zealand’s General Manager of Product Planning and New Vehicle Sales.
“New levels of power and efficiency have added fun to Camry, all wrapped in a stunning yet aggressive exterior bound to turn a few heads.”
Now manufactured in Japan the sleeker, sportier Camry is both exciting to look at and more importantly drive, re-establishing itself as the new standard in the mid-size sedan category.
“The new V6 and hybrid Camry’s are completely new models from the ground up. They are a true showcase of what is to come from Toyota,” says Mr. Lala.
“This has been the bestselling car in the US for the past 15 years and makes a bold statement for not just Camry, but the entire Toyota brand.”
The Camry’s hybrid engine was included in the Wards Auto 2018 top 10 best engines list for its effortless, seamless and consistent performance.
The Toyota Hybrid System has been reengineered to provide spirited performance alongside driving enjoyment. It includes new Sequential Shiftmatic technology that allows the driver to ‘shift’ the continuously variable transmission (CVT), mimicking a quick shifting six-speed automatic transmission via paddle shifters (on the ZR grade) or with the console-mounted shift lever.
It has an overall combined fuel consumption of between 4.2 and 4.5 litres/100 kms depending on the variant. It also features a new Auto Glide Control system that promotes smooth and efficient coasting, aiding fuel economy.
The sporty Camry 3.5-litre direction-injection V6, which replaces the Aurion model, is paired with an eight speed automatic transmission, which has paddle shifters for manual control. The V6 engine produces 224 kW and 362 Nm of torque, increases of 24 kW and 26 Nm respectively over the V6 used in the Aurion.
The improved engine has direct injection technology with wide camshaft timing variation to improve torque across a wider rev range. In addition to the Otto Cycle, the engine uses the Atkinson cycle where appropriate to enhance fuel economy.
The price leading GL carries over the existing 2.5 litre petrol engine with 133 kW and a revised six speed automatic transmission that incorporates auto-blipping on the downshifts.
There are two “looks” for Camry with the GL and GX including a horizontal front grille, while the other three variants have a sporty black mesh grille and large front air intakes. All models include LED headlights and daytime running lights.
The SX, V6 and ZR variants come with an aggressive sports body kit, and a boot lip spoiler is added to the V6 and ZR. There is a choice of 17, 18 or 19-inch alloy wheels depending on which grade is selected.
Every Camry comes with Toyota Safety Sense, which is a package designed to keep drivers and passengers protected in all types of traffic. The package includes Pre-Crash Safety system with Autonomous Emergency Braking; all speed Dynamic Radar Cruise Control; Automatic High Beam; Lane Departure Alert with steering assist; and Vehicle Sway Warning system.
The Camry scored a total of 36.16 out of a possible 37 in the Australian New Car Assessment Programme (ANCAP) testing, with maximum points scored in the destructive pole and side impact crash tests.
The front suspension features redesigned MacPherson struts and an all-new fully independent double wishbone rear suspension. The Camry wheelbase has been extended by 50mm to 2,825 mm, the front track is 5 to 10 mm wider at the front and 20 to 30 mm at the rear depending on grade for improved handling stability, grip and ride comfort. Its height of 1,445 mm has been reduced by 25 mm from the previous model.
The brakes have also been improved with greater power, feel and longevity thanks to larger front and rear rotors.
Camry now has an electric parking brake plus a brake-hold function that maintains the brake fluid pressure without requiring the driver to stay on the brake pedal or apply the parking brake.
The 2018 Camry features Toyota’s latest in-vehicle multimedia system which seamlessly integrates into the centre console. The flush screen design varies between 7’’ for the GL and GX grades and 8” for the SX, ZR, and V6 grades.
With the hybrid battery being relocated from the boot to under the rear seat, luggage space has been improved by 103 litres in the hybrid variants to an impressive 524 litres. The GL, GX and SX have black fabric upholstery, while the ZR and V6 come with black leather accented material, there is also the choice of red leather in the V6 variant.
Standard equipment on the GL grade includes: wireless central locking; horn alarm; 17” alloy wheels with full sized spare; tilt and telescopic adjustable steering column; manual air conditioning; six-way manual driver seat adjustment; four-way manual front passenger seat adjustment; automatic headlight levelling; 4.2” colour multi information display; six speaker audio system; and reverse camera with dynamic guidelines.
The GX Hybrid adds four drive modes including ECO, Normal, Sport and EV; temporary spare wheel; smart entry; smart start; and dual zone automatic air conditioning.
The SX Hybrid adds leather steering wheel; sports exterior styling package; eight-way power driver’s seat adjustment; 7” colour multi information display; satellite navigation with SUNA traffic channel; front and rear parking sensors.
The V6 adds 8-speed automatic transmission with paddle shifters; sports tuned suspension; 19” alloy wheels; boot spoiler; a twin exhaust system; sports front seats; and a wireless phone charger.
The ZR Hybrid also has paddle shifters; 18” alloy wheels, powered steering column adjustment with memory function; tilt and slide moonroof; rain sensing wipers; automatic dimming inside mirror, eight-way power front passenger seat adjustment; driver’s seat memory; driver and front passenger seat ventilation; head-up display; blind spot monitor and rear cross traffic alert.