New Camry marks start of imports

The launch of Toyota’s all-new Camry marks the start of a new era in imported only cars.

Now made in Japan the Camry has undergone what Toyota describes as a “dramatic redesign from bumper to bumper”.

Built on a new platform it boasts more emotional styling, new power trains with more power and better fuel economy, a revamped chassis that delivers sharper dynamics and advanced new safety technologies.

Camry is the first sedan to adopt Toyota’s New Global Architecture (TNGA), which has transformed the way Toyota vehicles are designed, engineered and packaged.

TNGA enables greater freedom in design, resulting in a more athletic profile with a lower roof and bonnet, a better driving position and improved dynamics due to its lower centre of gravity and greater torsional rigidity.

The 2.5-litre four cylinder engine carries over unchanged, with 133kW/235Nm, but is joined by a redesigned hybrid system with a new direct-injection four-cylinder engine that delivers a combined output of 160kW plus a new direct-injection V6 with 224kW/362Nm and an eight-speed transmission.

Along with direct fuel-injection engines, the car features fully independent rear suspension, 19-inch alloy wheels, drive mode select, LED head lamps, an electric parking brake, 10-inch head-up display and a segment-first opening panoramic roof, plus across-the-board adoption of active cruise control and a pre-collision safety system with autonomous emergency braking.

Toyota’s senior divisional manager sales and marketing Sean Hanley said the new range represents the largest generational change for Camry since the nameplate was introduced in 1983.

“All-new Camry builds on the car’s proven reputation for quality, durability, reliability, space, comfort and safety while injecting greater visual appeal and a fun driving experience with rapid acceleration and crisp handling,” Mr Hanley said.

“Sharp pricing adds remarkable value to an all-new Camry that looks great while offering an unprecedented level of driving enjoyment and improved fuel economy,” he said.

“New Camry has all the ingredients to continue as Australia’s best-selling mid-size car, a position it has held for the past 23 years in a row.”

Toyota has adopted new grade names: Ascent and Ascent Sport (4-cylinder petrol or hybrid), SX (4-cylinder or V6) and SL (all three powertrains).

Hanley says prices have been reduced for six of the nine new Camry variants while increases on the other three are outweighed by additional features.

For the new hybrid powertrain, with combined power output rising to 160kW, prices have been improved compared with the petrol variants and the market.