New Camry 2012

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New Camry revealed
Toby Hagon
August 24, 2011

Aussie-made mid-sizer gets major overhaul keep it ahead of new rivals.

Toyota has revitalised its Camry sedan with an all-new model that includes a new four-cylinder engine, upmarket interior and new model variant to help reposition the locally produced mid-sizer against imported competitors.

As well as a new Hybrid Camry, the new Atara model that is unique to Australia will slot between the entry-level Altise and upmarket Grande in an expansive new line-up.

The name of the until-now secret new model has nothing to do with a retro gaming console but is a combination of a Hebrew word for crown and a longer Japanese word for new.

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Nomenclature aside, the Atara has the task of making the loved-by-fleets Camry appealing to private buyers who typically gravitate to SUVs or other mid-size cars such as the Mazda6, Honda Accord Euro or Subaru Liberty.

While the Altise will still be the government and fleet car of choice – it lacks the goodies of more expensive variants – and the Grande is for those chasing affordable leather-clad luxury, the Atara is designed to appeal to families and couples looking for something sharper than your average Camry.

As well as additional features and a flashier set of wheels, the Atara also gets a unique look to help differentiate it from other Camrys.

Atara models will get such sports-focused extras as dual exhausts — eeking an almost irrelevant extra 2kW of power in the process — larger alloy wheels, and some electronic features usually reserved for luxury cars. Think blind spot warning systems and an automated high-beam system that dips the headlights for oncoming vehicles.

It doesn’t transform the car that’s often been criticised for being too bland, but it does inject some spark into a somewhat staid personality that’s been likened to whitegoods on wheels.

“Camry remains one of the most valuable nameplates in the industry,” says Toyota Australia executive director of sales and marketing Matthew Callachor, adding that the power of the Camry brand puts it on more buyers’ shopping lists.

That, he says, will be enough to get people at least considering the next generation of a car that brings large car space – even more so now, courtesy of a slightly wider cabin, revised interior packaging and larger boot.

Combined with the sleeker new interior — there’s even stitching on the dash, delicate metallic touches and a dark plastic finish that bring some formality – it gives the Camry more of a fighting chance in what is one of the most competitive areas of the market.

Dig deeper, though, and there’s still plenty of Camry lurking beneath the cleaner exterior.

The basic underpinnings are largely unchanged, save for tuning of some driving components, revised front suspension (it’s more compact to help meet stricter pedestrian protection regulations) and an electric power steering system that helps reduce fuel use.

There’s also a new 2.5-litre engine, which lifts power by 16kW to 133kW.

Those more discerning owners will spend less on fuel though, with claimed fuel use dropping by “around 10 per cent” from the current car's 8.9 litres per 100km figure when fitted with a manual transmission (auto: 8.8L/100km).

Even more impressive is the Hybrid Camry, which drops 17 per cent to 5.0L/100km, making it a cleaner alternative to diesel-powered cars using similar quantities of fuel.

And while private buyers will no doubt appreciate the opportunity to reduce weekly fuel bills, that’s also a figure likely to be welcomed by fleets, which are increasingly watching running costs as fuel prices again rise.

The Camry will go on sale in Australia from the end of November, with Hybrid Camry models arriving in the first quarter of next year.

[block58]

Looks like a cross between the old Camry, the Civic and the Accord Euro. Not great.

[Ford_The_Win]

Personally I think that new front end is atrocious. Way too square and as block mentioned, looks like something off an Accord.

[350125GO]

Get rid of the front bumper and you have a brand new fridge that isnt exciting or offending.

[irish2]

People who buy camy/aurion/avalon, have never really cared for looks much. Their only care is for the badge on the front.

[Giant Cranium]

it has imprezza head lights

[GK]

And yet (sadly) it will sell well.

GK

[4.0i OHC]

Cue lawsuit from Subaru. The front end is a blatant copy of that of a Subaru Impreza, and the rear end seems 'inspired' by the Subaru Liberty.

That said, out of all the car manufacturers whose cars Toyota's designers could have copied, why SUBARU????

[GASWAGON]

Where's the TRD Supercharged model.....The charged Hilux's go like stink and don't have traction control lol??? The Hybrid economy figures are impressive....Not sure how much extra they charge for it though??? P.s Looks ar'nt everything!!!

[4.0i OHC]

Oh, and a few other articles:

http://www.caradvice.com.au/134224/2...a-in-november/

http://autoweb.goauto.com.au/mellor/...2578F6001AFF6E

[4.0i OHC]

Originally Posted by EF_6

Where's the TRD Supercharged model.....The charged Hilux's go like stink and don't have traction control lol??? !

They also had rear drum brakes.

WHY??????

[irish2]

Originally Posted by fairlaneman

They also had rear drum brakes.

WHY??????

Because they work?

[Falc'man]

Before it was just boring, now it's ugly too.

[Paxton]

Keep this vision in your mind, because it will be clogging the right lane of roads across the nation very soon.

Don't forget that the Aurion is still to be released. It's not much better from what I'm hearing.

[Ford_The_Win]

Originally Posted by fairlaneman

They also had rear drum brakes.

WHY??????

Much like the Holden Cruze...I didn't realise it was still 1980?

[350125GO]

nothing wrong with drum brakes on the rear.

[Ben73]

I started reading the article, but I got bored and could not finish it.
I just can't get excited over a new Camry. Sure they work well, but that's all they do.

[GASWAGON]

Originally Posted by fairlaneman

They also had rear drum brakes.

WHY??????

Because it's great fun in the wet .....derrrrrr!!!

Seriously though it is 2011. And Japans 'Numero Uno' car manufacturer...

[4.0i OHC]

Originally Posted by irish2

Because they work?

If I run a FG 335kW GT on E10 fuel, it'll work too.

[4.0i OHC]

Originally Posted by EF_6

Seriously though it is 2011. And Japans 'Numero Uno' car manufacturer...

I agree wholeheartedly.

I'd like an honest answer to this question, by someone more mechanically knowledgeable than I am.
Why do all the dual cab utes (by every manufacturer, including the supposedly upmarket Volkswagen) currently on sale have drum brakes on the rear?

[Burnout]

Originally Posted by Falc'man

Before it was just boring, now it's ugly too.

This, supamegafugly!

[irish2]

Originally Posted by fairlaneman

If I run a FG 335kW GT on E10 fuel, it'll work too.

Many trucks worths hundreds to thousands of dollars to buy, still run drum brakes. They have a greater swept area and as such can perform a small number of stops very quickly. The only draw back to drums is heat retention.

[CODSASR]

Originally Posted by fairlaneman

I agree wholeheartedly.

I'd like an honest answer to this question, by someone more mechanically knowledgeable than I am.
Why do all the dual cab utes (by every manufacturer, including the supposedly upmarket Volkswagen) currently on sale have drum brakes on the rear?

I work at a Isuzu dealer and asked our area rep this exact question apparently the only reason they all do it is to cut costs there is no other reason

[Bucknaked]

It does look pretty ordinary, but compared to the new Focus, the new Camry looks 5 times better than the focus

[MITCHAY]

Originally Posted by captain awesome

it has imprezza head lights

Originally Posted by fairlaneman

Cue lawsuit from Subaru. The front end is a blatant copy of that of a Subaru Impreza, and the rear end seems 'inspired' by the Subaru Liberty.

That said, out of all the car manufacturers whose cars Toyota's designers could have copied, why SUBARU????

Toyota owns a considerable share in Fuji Heavy Industries which is the parent company of Subaru. They are in partial partnership and are currently developing the FT-86 Coupe. So that's all you need to know

[fg_nitro]

Originally Posted by fairlaneman

Cue lawsuit from Subaru. The front end is a blatant copy of that of a Subaru Impreza, and the rear end seems 'inspired' by the Subaru Liberty.

That said, out of all the car manufacturers whose cars Toyota's designers could have copied, why SUBARU????

They are in partnership with Subaru lol

[duaned]

That car would blend in well on the set of the transformers.

[mik]

the lower front end looks a bit weird, the rest of it looks ok, except that it looks dated, it reminds me of the magna a bit.

[1TUFFUTE]

Originally Posted by Bucknaked

It does look pretty ordinary, but compared to the new Focus, the new Camry looks 5 times better than the focus

WHAAAATTTT//// r u serious i dunno bro...think ya might be the minority there....i rate the focus way more then that new camry....deffinately

[Silver Ghia]

Its a Toyota, therefore it will sell well. Looks is something that will probably grow as people get used to it. Be interesting to see how the actual fuel consumption compares (around 8.0 lt/100km from what they say for the 2.5 l).