India Cars

Toyota Kirlosker launched new Toyota-Camry. The Camry has an unmatched reputation for reliability and fuss-free efficiency. The Camry has been designed primarily for the American market, which means it is big, cushy, with a decided preference for cruising instead of burning rubber. The headlamps and grille have been revised, and the tail lamps now feature cylindrical ‘meteor-shower’ elements. There’s the addition of standard fog lamps and an extra five millimeters of height, aiding ground clearance.

 

New features include two curtain airbags, making for a total of six, electric lumbar support for the driver, and cruise control. The interior, mildly updated, with a two-tone dashboard, is a highlight. It is one of the largest in its class, and possibly the most comfortable, with cushy, commodious and highly adjustable seats and a surprisingly high-up seating position.

 

It was roomy, quiet and the first all-new platform from Toyota in ten years. The only problem was that it still did not excite the senses as far as looks were concerned.  The biggest change is in the looks. The front end has a very bold in-your-face look, thanks no doubt due to the big cheesy-smile grille. Viewed head-on, it’s interesting to see the slightly flared wheel arches, a la the Mazda RX8. Though overall length is the same, the wheelbase has been increased to 2775mm.

 

Both front and rear seats have an armchair-like feel, which goes very well with the relaxed nature of the car. The Camry also has power adjustments for both front seats. The driver’s seat has electric lumbar support too. The cabin hasn’t been styled to excite, however, and it can be a bit dull. The upside is that it is ergonomically sound and packed with both equipment and useful touches like an illuminated key-slot. It has a solid, high-quality feel inside.

 

Toyota has taken the concept of shut lines and panel gaps to a very high level, be it in the top-of-the-line Lexus LS 430 or the run-of-the-mill Corolla, and the Camry is no exception. Toyota will be importing these cars through the CBU route, and being a right-hand drive market, we are lucky to get Camry’s built in Japan. Not those cars built in the US lack the same finish, but it’s just that made-in-Japan still carries a certain aura for us Indians.

 

The interiors have been done up quite tastefully and the view from the driver’s seat is easy on the eyes. A multi-functional steering that allows quick and easy control over the audio system. You can also keep an eye on average speed, range, distance traveled, outside temperature and information on fuel averages. The near rectangular instrument console, symmetric air-vents and faux wood inserts are a respectful throwback to the eighties, but again the execution lacks nothing. Toyota Kirloskar Motor will be bringing only two versions of the Camry - the V1 and V3 - with the only differentiator being carefully stitched leather upholstery. Electric seats and automatic aircon is standard fitment. The Sony audio system with a 10-CD changer comes as standard fitment, and provides music that would earn respect from most audiophiles. The only issue here is that the silver external finish of the music system sticks out like a sore thumb in an otherwise muted dark-grey-on-light-grey interior. A total of four airbags (driver, front passenger and two side bags) come as standard fitment too.

 

It’s a very smooth and balanced engine that pulls cleanly from low rpm. The engine develops 164bhp of power and 224Nm of torque. Step on the accelerator and the Camry surges forward. The car also features ABS and a vehicle stability system, but neither came into play in our short drive. For that we need the car longer for a proper test.

 

The Camry may not have a V6 option like the Accord and Sonata, but its 2.4-litre, four-cylinder VVT-i engine more than makes up for the shortfall. It is whisper-quiet and very powerful, with a very even torque spread. With an advanced valve-timing system, the VVT-i motor provides a strong, linear burst of power at any speed, and feels comfortable both in the city and on the highway. The five-speed manual ‘box is slick and easy to use, with a short, crisp throw. The new, four-speed auto makes the Camry a superb cruiser both around town and on the highway, and is advanced enough to make up most shortfalls of an automatic, such as a lack of acceleration and performance. A fifth speed would have helped it compete more directly with the Honda Accord, but it’s not too bad at all. The manual even returns a creditable 8.2 and 11.7kpl, which takes it to the top of the class. This is not a driver’s car — it doesn’t have the sharpness or urgency in the chassis but it is a superb cruiser, which rides well and has enough power in reserve to make highway driving a breeze.

 

The steering too is precise and positive, but isolates you from the road instead of connecting you to it, and you quickly learn that a dignified, measured pace is the way to go. The best thing to do is throttle back and enjoys the cloud-like ride; the suspension thumps over bad bumps, but it’s still the quietest. There’s no traction control, unlike the others, but the ABS-equipped brakes are fantastic.

 

The Camry recently topped a customer satisfaction study, and Toyota is justly famous for reliable cars and good service. This car may be a bit bland, but it does everything very well, and now, with the recent facelift and the addition of an automatic to its arsenal, there’s very little to complain about. Except the price, that is – it’s one of the most expensive in the class.

This entry was posted on Monday, November 12th, 2007 at 4:05 pm and is filed under Toyota Cars in India. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Responses are currently closed, but you can trackback from your own site.