Toyota Camry Reviews

The reasons are more psychological than factual because Camry is only marginally more fuel efficient than the new Commodore - but it's a four cylinder.Downsizing to fours is already happening -driven by rocketing fuel prices and more discerning buyers who do not equate size with quality or value for money.Toyota is hedging its bets with the forth- coming Aurion V6 competing with other local sixes.A V6 Camry would quickly materialise if Aurion doesn't fire to Toyota's satisfaction.This is the sixth generation Camry which first appeared here as an import back in 1983. Local production commenced in 1987. It's a global car developed by "virtual assembly" and is produced in about half a dozen locations but is neither made nor sold in Europe.Toyota is aiming up with this model shooting directly at Honda Accord Euro, Mazda6 and Subaru Liberty.Camry has a leg-up with the new chassis and body along with a revised 2.4-litre, four cylinder engine with variable valve timing. But it's at a power disadvantage which could cost sales. Maximum output is 117kW/218Nm.Transmissions are a five speed manual and five speed auto.Though staying true to the "Camry" family sedan formula, the new model is a sexy looking beast and should attract a wider audience including younger buyers and those looking for affordable prestige.Featuring Toyota styling DNA, elements of the Lexus IS250 and Toyota Yaris sedan are clearly evident but it's a much bigger, more "masculine" car than either.Only marginally longer than the previous model, new Camry has a longer wheelbase, wider track and considerably more interior room.The boot is also large and contains a full size spare.Toyota can make up to 140,000 Camrys a year at its Altona plant many of these for export.The body is made on a new press which forms the whole side of the car in one piece.New technology has been developed for the welding process.The strong chassis can cope with a 1200kg towing load but overall weight is up by 40-50kg.Along with the sleek sheetmetal came a slick interior that is airy, functional and modern. Toyota has specified multiple tones to lift the look inside.Plenty of local input has gone into Camry including additional engine and transmission cooling, dust sealing and ride/handling calibration.It's safer, stronger and more practical.Four models are offered: Altise, Ateva, Sportivo and Grande in ascending order. Ateva and Grande are auto only.In the three and a half year development phase, great efforts were made to cut noise and vibration and to improve dynamics.All models have more features than ever with dual air bags, air conditioning, cruise control, power ancillaries, steering wheel audio controls and auto headlights standard across the range which starts at $28,000 for the Altise manual.Grande at the other end of the scale scores leather, satnav, Bluetooth, rain sensing wipers, sunroof, and old-school woodgrain.The engine is similar to that used in RAV4 but has lower output due to Euro 4 emissions compliance.Fuel economy is rated at 9.9-litres/100km for the auto, 8.9 for the manual.It is compromised a little by Camry's beefy 1415-1480kgs.On the road the car impresses with excellent dynamics and a comfy ride. The engine is silent at idle and only becomes vocal when pressed.Performance is best described as adequate but power is used to good effect in the new automatic. However, the selector gate in manual mode on the new auto is a pain.It steers precisely and has good grip in tight turns.The Sportivo is a step up in all areas.Camry looks impressive on the road and is fun to drive.A good looking, well specified, affordable driver's Camry?More than any Camry before and definitely a move in the right direction.

Some come standard in upper specification offerings, others are steeply priced options. There also are off-the-shelf brands available at auto stores which can be fitted to most cars.Driving a range-topping Toyota Camry Azura, given a cosmetic spruce up last September, re-ignited interest in SatNavs. They've been around for a while now and come to the fore in unfamiliar areas. Although, programming them is still a bit of a cumbersome exercise.There are inherent short-comings such as do they, in fact, take the most direct route if instructed and is the mapping up-to-date?Running around in the Azura begged the question as to whether SatNavs are being used to their best potential.With traffic in the southeast corner becoming busier by the day there is a piece of software which should become standard on all SatNavs.It is a system which instantly informs the driver of traffic problems and then suggests routes to avoid the congestion.In Europe it is linked to the local traffic management branch and pinpoints problems and comes up with caution icons at the locations they occur on the screen.Mercedes-Benz taxis in Germany have had this system for quite a few years now.What jogged the memory on this was that the directional map in the Azura automatically identifies where occupants can satisfy their hunger. It comes up with knife and fork icons, like the ones on road signs, outlining where the nearest food outlets are.Approaching the Brisbane CBD on the expressway the city grid map was a maze of knives and forks.A more useful function, particularly in peak hour would be to identify a road blockage and suggest alternate routes.Radio traffic reports tend to be irregular and can be inaccurate, often misreading situations at critical times in peak hour.Toyota says it will arrive with the next step in SatNav operations within the next few years. A system called G-book, similar to the program in the German taxi, is being refined and developed.As well as incorporating the traffic monitoring mode, occupants will be able to access data such as the stock market.In the meantime the Azura is a comfortable jigger cushioned with leather, comfort, smooth ride, great handling and a punchy V6. It is a slice of Lexus-like luxury but it's not for one minute remotely cheap.Try $49,100, which is a $110 rise after the Camry range was freshened in September last year. For the slight price rise the Azura gained extra equipment including a $1500 Toyota Link system that can pinpoint the car's location or put the occupants in contact with a call centre. It is dependent on mobile phone operating coverage and the availability of GPS location information.With the Camry there is a willing engine that pushes out a healthy 145kW in the luxury sport model. The same 3-litre V6 is in the Sportivo which has less plushness in the cabin but offers equal dynamics.Fuel consumption in the heavier Azura with the sweet four-speed automatic transmission finished up about 13.2litres/100km following this 500km test.The Sportivo was around 12litres/100km on a similar test on the same roads.These fuel figures are a little on the steep side over the claimed factory figures which are 9.9litres/100km for the Sportivo and 11.2/100 for the Azura.Brakes on both models are sound with a more progressive pedal, installing greater confidence in the all disc system. Refined, sporty and sound.Looks are subjective but if you have no qualms with slab sides, the Camry is anything but a non-emotive badge in the ilk of white goods.

At times, they overlook that fact that most buyers value reliability and usability more than cutting-edge styling and extreme driving dynamics.Take Toyota's V6 Azura, for example. The Camry flagship is modest in styling but big on space, interior quietness and ease of operation.Last September, the one millionth Camry rolled off Toyota's Australian production line. The first was built in 1987.Toyota continued as a sales juggernaut in 2004 in Australia, despite not producing an entirely new model. This ability to tap in to the everyday needs of Australian motorists and sell strongly between new-model introductions shows the power of Toyota.Late last year, the Azura received a facelift intended to take it to the end of its model life in 2006. The styling changes are minor, involving mainly the front grille-light area and rear lights.Of greater interest is the Toyota Link hardware that connects the car via Telstra's GSM network to a base station. Toyota is the first company to bring this technology to a car costing less than $50,000.It has all manner of uses. The system can be activated to gain entry to the car if the keys are locked inside. If you lose the car in a shopping centre car park, the horn can be activated to guide you to it.On a more serious note, if the base station doesn't get a response from the driver after any airbag deployment, it will summon emergency services. The system can also track the car if it is stolen or locate the vehicle if it needs roadside assistance.Developed over two years, Toyota is committed to the technology and it will be filtered down through other models in years to come. Toyota Link and other new standard features add just $110 to the recommended price of the upgraded Azura.The system is easy to use, with three buttons and a microphone in the interior rear-view mirror. One button activates the emergency link, another connects the driver directly with the call centre and there is a "hang-up" button to cancel calls from the base station.Toyota Link has a low-key presence in the Azura. Not so the standard satellite navigation system.It takes pride of place in the middle of the console, with a large colour touch screen.I've struggled with sat-nav in the past, but found the Toyota system fairly intuitive. The only time I disappeared off the map was when I drove into a far corner of the airport car park.Unfortunately, my partner resorted to frequent hand slapping as I tinkered with the system. She reckoned I was becoming obsessed with it, even to the extent of working out which point of the compass I was facing as I drove the Azura into the garage.In fact, she reckoned there were too many gadgets to play with on the car altogether.But that is the way of modern motoring, and the Azura is crammed with features, from six-disc CD stacker, through cruise control, programmable overspeed alert, to an electric sunroof.Possibly one of the most underrated features on a car, a sunroof can transform the driving experience. On a starry night, a sunny, windless day or even a cool morning, a large, well-designed sunroof links you to the passing environment. Once you've experienced it, you will agree it should be a standard feature on all cars.The Azura could be driven down the freeway with the windows lowered and sunroof retracted without wind turbulence.It is just another example of the build quality of this model.While not setting the styling world alight, the pleasure of the Azura is in its everyday use. The overriding impression is the quietness of the car inside the cabin.The roomy interior can comfortably seat five and the boot is one of the biggest around. A set of golf clubs is not a storage challenge.The V6 engine gives reasonable acceleration for such a large car. Tuned for Australian conditions, the handling is excellent.To sum up, the Azura is a quiet achiever.

"Proceed to the highlighted path and the route guidance will start," says a very proper, English voice. All righty then, ready. Don't you just love GPS navigation?I do. Now, it's not that I don't know how to find my way home, but there's something novel about a computer that tells you where to go.I'm in the Toyota V6 Azura, the top-of-the-line sports model Camry. I know, it doesn't look like your average Camry.The sports suspension and aero body kit with its length, cool spoiler, radiator grilles, 16in alloys, new bumper and fog lamps make this sharper, sexier, sportier . . .When those six-cylinders kick in, you know about it, and the Quad Cam multi-valve three-litre engine takes off with gusto.This four-speed automatic is a smooth operator. There's none of those annoying surges as it powers up the gears.Being a sports model, the suspension is quite firm, but don't worry. It doesn't affect the comfort factor one bit.And comfort has to be the Azura's forte. The power-operated driver's seat has three lumbar controls to ensure your lower back is well supported.The seats are covered in luxurious alcantara (like brushed suede) and stitched leather in a light tan colour. This is understated class at its best. That elegance flows through to the uncluttered dash with its gadgets compactly situated around the GPS screen.The CD unit is cleverly tucked behind the screen and this car doesn't just have one six-stacker CD/MP3 player, but another eight-stacker in the boot. You've gotta love that.On the safety side, it's got the lot. Driver, passenger and side curtain airbags, safe-T-Cell, ABS brakes, engine immobiliser, panic alarm, remote central locking, child locks, doors that chirp when they aren't shut properly.Safety comes in other avenues, too. At night, the ignition is illuminated, interior lights don't go off until the car is locked, audio controls are on the steering wheel and even the GPS darkens so you are not distracted by its glare.But the Azura's best feature has to be the new Toyota Link system. This intelligent electronic communication system connects the driver to an external operator who can alert police or ambulance to your location in times of crisis, such as an accident or when your security is at risk, like a carjacking.Touching an SOS button/mayday alert on the rear-vision mirror connects you, but if the car is in an accident and the airbags deploy, the alarm is automatically activated.It even offers roadside help, so if you lock your keys inside the car, they can remotely unlock your doors.So don't think this is just a Camry. It's far more than that.LOVE IT LEAVE ITToyota Camry V6 AzuraPrice: $49,100 (auto)LOVE ITThe rear-vision mirror adjusts to "night vision" so there are no headlights blinding you.LEAVE ITI couldn't work out how to preset another radio station.Be gentle closing the boot, otherwise you'll slam it without meaning to.

One thing's for sure, if you're thinking of forking out for one of the big swoopy sedans – the athletic Sportivo is the one to get.While other models seem to sit too high on the road, particularly with that big, rising rear deck, the Sportivo's aerodynamic enhancements serve to give the car a much needed lower profile.Toyota has just upgraded the entire Camry range, with minor cosmetic changes and increased equipment levels.But if you're a current Camry owner, don't go reaching for the keys, because none of the changes are major enough to warrant an update.Front, seat-mounted side airbags are now available on all models and standard on Ateva, Sportivo V6, Azura and Grande.All Camrys now also have cruise control, aircon- ditioning and an alarm, and V6 models get a power- operated drivers seat as standard.Sportivo V6 acquires a three-spoke leather steering wheel with audio controls, brushed aluminium pedals, Sportivo front scuff plates, front upper console box, new suede leather sports seats and new all-black interior.Our test vehicle was the Sportivo V6 finished in a striking brittle new blue called Rhapsody.Larger, funkier badges complement the flashy new colour.It certainly looks fresher and more upbeat than the previous metallic gold which has not aged well.Camry's 3.0-litre DOHC V6 is good for 145kW at 5200rpm and 284Nm of torque at 4400rpm.Our test car was the five-speed manual which will accelerate from 0 to 100km/h in 8.3 seconds – the auto is a second slower.That's pretty quick for what is basically a family sedan and the manual shift is relatively easy to use, with throws that are reasonably short.The words "relatively" and "reasonably" keep cropping up with this car because that's what it is, a car that offers the average buyer reasonable bang for their buck.Toyota promotes the Sportivo as a real driver's car, a car born to conquer the mythical mountain roads featured on the TV ad.The car acquits itself well in the handling department, pointing and sitting securely in corners.But the heavy steering and front-wheel drive configuration take the edge off performance.The whisper quiet interior and blast of icy air from the climate controlled air conditioning offer are welcome haven from the heat of the day.However, for a sports model, this car is crying out for an audible exhaust note.Sportivo still looks woefully under-tyred, with 16 inch 205/60 series wheels and tyres (almost passe these days) and plenty of room to move inside the guards.Lower the suspension, stick on some chunkier rubber and add a sports exhaust system and you might be onto something.Inside, the Camry has oodles of room for driver and passengers with some of the best rear legroom in the biz.We really like the combination suede leather and cloth insert sports seats.The boot too is absolutely cavernous – best in class.Fuel consumption is rated at a combined 9.9L/100km, but the trip computer reported 12.1L/100km during testing from the 70-litre fuel tank.With an upgrade normally comes a price increase, or does it?Camry Sportivo V6 is priced from $37,500 for the manual ($1490 less) and $38,500 for the auto ($490 less).

Things that in the short term were bearable (even quaint and amusing) become untenable irritations with the passage of time.Motor vehicles are no different. Things you thought you couldn't live without – or so the salesman told you – can become a burden while the silly little bit of frippery you found annoying becomes a godsend as you grow to appreciate it.A motor vehicle will be the second-biggest purchase most people will make in their lives, a decision usually based on a preconceived desire, an advertising campaign and a short drive. Reviewing and test driving cars can have similar pitfalls.Hopping into a spanking new auto every week is certainly not all bad – in fact it is pretty good – but the truth is that an impression quickly gained can colour an opinion long held. From next week The Daily Telegraph will expand its road-test coverage to include a series of longer-term tests where the cars are assessed closer to the manner they would be by the average buyer.Over the months we will report on what's good and not so good about the car you may be contemplating buying. There will be reports on what it costs to run and service; what makes it a pleasure to own; and the things that make you wish you had spent a little longer looking around before signing on the dotted line.ONE MONTH LATER09dec04A month into our first long-term car tests and it's time for the CARSguide team to report in.There is no doubt the Camry grows on you. It's unlikely we'll ever be passionate about it but what a reliable thing it is. A fairly moderate usage this month saw just 1268km under the wheels around town at a pleasing 9.3l/100km.There were no performance dramas but the Azura will soon be visiting a service centre following a recall for Camry to check the fuel overflow chamber.High on plus side is the quietness of the Camry and the touch-screen functionality of the navigation system.A sat-nav system would not have ordinarily been a priority item for a family car but it has shown its worth on more than one occasion when venturing into unfamiliar areas, particularly at night.While the Camry may not be the most exciting card in the pack it does provide a pleasant, smooth environment in which to wend your way through Sydney's traffic.The engine is strong and has enough punch to handle most situations.Less pleasing has been the height of the driver's seat. The high position has made it difficult to find a comfortable driving position. It could yet prove an issue on a planned interstate drive.TWO MONTH UPDATEKevin Hepworth15jan05It's a situation that was unforseen and certainly unexpected.The Camry is to move on to a new home... and the wrench of parting is palpable.Day in, day out for the past couple of months the Camry has gone about its business unfussed, unflustered and largely unnoticed. Certainly, it has the mark of a car that you can live with.There are still some unresolved issues: the high seating position is a personal dislike one will probably never come to terms with. A bit more travel in the seat's electric height adjustment would be a welcome addition to the generous luxury trim of the car.However, the experience has overall been a positive one.The styling is something that you just have to get used to...or at least learn to ignore.While never likely to get a "Wow, look at that!" out of any passing member of the public – or from the driver – the Azura is comfortable, classy in its own quaint manner, and as reliable as an old friend.Fuel economy from the 3.0-litre V6 has risen a little this round, to a still reasonable 10.9l/100km, but that is a function of lots of town driving and the discovery that if you give it some right foot it will get away nicely.The biggest impression made over the Christmas period was how much space there is inside the cabin and the cavernous boot.A family of five and all their varied Christmas loot was happily swallowed. That is unlikely to be the case with the Mini Cooper S that is to take up residence in the garage.

It is an excellent machine, and would be an international hero if it wore an Audi or BMW badge, but will never run better than third in any Down Under popularity poll.It sits in the considerable shadow of Holden's Commodore and Ford's Falcon, even though it would be a much better choice for most ordinary drivers.The Camry does everything well, nothing badly, and is well priced and equipped. But it still doesn't have the impact, or the Sunday barbecue bragging rights, of a shiny new Commodore or Falcon.Ironically, "our" Camry is doing better overseas.It's the top seller in Saudi Arabia – where it lines up against a Chevrolet-badged Commodore – and foreign sales to 33 countries are outstripping demand at home.Toyota Australia set out to build a better Camry for 2002 and it has done a terrific job – particularly as the final bill, which included an updated four-cylinder-engine factory, was "only" $350 million.We say "only" because Ford has spent $500 million in its attempt to put the Falcon back on track and Mercedes-Benz routinely spends $2 billion on each of its new models.The biggest failing is the car's all-round competence. The new Camry is too good and too nice.Even the styling, bold and aggressive by Toyota's standards – if you don't count the Celica – is somewhat middle-of-the-road in 2002. It will be pretty bold for the 50-somethings, but Toyota Australia wants to get the average age of Camry owners closer to 45.The body basics are identical to the American Camry, but there are plenty of changes for Australia.The headlamps are bigger, brighter and better. The seats were designed locally and sit a little higher to make it easier to get in and out, and even the sound system was tuned for Australian tastes and conditions.Development of the Camry took close to four years – covering 60,000km of on-road testing and many more kilometres at Toyota's Anglesea test track – and dozens of local specialists were involved. The seat designer even fitted the Camry's sports buckets to his rally car and went thrashing around the the mountains to see if they had enough grip and comfort.The changes run all the way through to the model line-up. The push towards younger Camry owners means there is a special set of Sportivo cars with tighter suspension, body kits and some other tweaking, and the old CS, CSi-style badging has been dropped.The Camry line-up now runs from Altise to Ateva and Azura, with either 2.4-litre four-cylinder or V6 engines. Prices start at $26,990 for the basic Altise manual four up to $48,990 for the Azura V6 automatic.But don't go looking for a wagon. Toyota believes people are turning away from station wagons and has dropped the Camry choice, filling its spot with the Avensis people mover.We could go on at length about the Camry, but having covered everything about the car over the past few weeks we were super-keen to put it through its driving paces.On the roadFirst impressions? The new Camry looks good. And it is very, very quiet.It also rides smoothly but with very good body control, and the four-cylinder engine is pretty eager.For $26,990 and on-road costs – though our Altise test car also had an automatic gearbox and satellite navigation, taking the base price to $32,290 – it is a good buy and will do the job for many families.It has a slightly sporty feel, is roomy and very well built, and has enough features to satisfy comparison shoppers.Toyota believes the Camry will draw people back to the mid-sized car class, and it could be right.It also helps that Mazda has just launched its attractive and sporty Mazda6 and Holden will lob in an all-new Vectra early in 2003 – moves that will boost competition and also draw more attraction to cars which deserve a bigger following.But we wanted the answer to The Big Question – and the big boast – by Toyota's chiefs.They promised the new Camry would be more than just a four-wheeled appliance."No more fridges," promised Toyota's top Aussie John Conomos, referring to the Camry's reputation as whitegoods on wheels.He is right. It's more than a fridge. But the Camry is still missing the character that will break through into Commodore and Falcon country.It takes a few flaws, or a grumbly V8 exhaust, to provide the personality that many Australians want in their new car. The Camry doesn't have flaws. And it doesn't come with a V8.But, back to the action.The updated and upgraded 2.4-litre four now has 112kW of power and 218Nm of torque, which means it gets along pretty briskly. Toyota also claims a benchmark fuel-economy improvement of 10 per cent, and lower emissions.Our automatic test car made smooth shifts and was pretty sprightly from the lights, although it needed a fair prod on the accelerator to engage the kick-down for overtaking. It was very smooth and we have no reason to dispute the economy claims, though we ran short of time for our own fuel consumption test.The Camry is very responsive in corners, with good steering feel and great feedback. It does just what you want, without any fuss or bother.It turns crisply, sits flat, and the back just follows the front in the tightest turns. That's the sign of a car that's well-designed and well-developed. It's not as challenging as a Falcon or Commodore, and the base car isn't nearly as much fun as the Mazda6, but it does the job and does it well.The Camry is very comfortable and the new dash is clean and efficient. We like the new "half-moon" instruments, and the controls are pretty much standard Toyota.The base car doesn't get a lid for the cupholders, which are deep and useful, but the rest of the stuff – including the CD sound, electric windows and mirrors – is exactly what you need.The aircon, which is now standard, is typically brilliant and we'd recommend the satellite navigation if you do a lot of travelling in unfamiliar territory. One of our team thought the seats were set too high, but that was the only grumble. The sports seats in the Sportivo are great.We tried the Camry in a variety of conditions – from inner-Melbourne bitumen to quick country gravel – and enjoyed its fuss-free driving.It is a very, very good car that has no flaws. Even the people who say it lacks personality have to admit it does the job, and it looks a lot better than any of the four earlier models that have carried the Camry badge.We're predicting big things for the Camry. Toyota has done a great development job and the model line-up – 11 in all – is well specified and attractively priced.The only "if only" is its place in Australia, and how it lines up against opposition, which includes the Falcon, Commodore, Magna, Mazda6 and Vectra.Looking at the bottom line, it's a five-star Camry but slips back to a four-star car when you rate it against such an impressive range of rivals.

The updated and upgraded 2.4-litre four now has 112kW of power and 218Nm of torque, which means it moves pretty briskly and the Sportivo cars can really get along.Toyota also claims a benchmark fuel economy improvement of 9 per cent and lower emissions. The Camry is very responsive in corners, with good steering feel and great feedback. It does what you want, without any fuss or bother.It turns crisply, sits flat, and the back just follows the front in the tightest turns, the sign of a car which has been well designed and well developed.The car is very comfortable and the dashboard is clean and efficient. The new "half-moon" instruments add an interesting touch to the cabin.The base car doesn't offer twin cupholders in the centre console, but the rest of the stuff, including the CD sound, electric windows and mirrors, is exactly what you need.The air-con, which is now standard, is typically brilliant and the extra-cost satellite navigation will be popular with people who travel into unfamiliar country. It's also comforting to have twin airbags, with anti-skid brakes and side bags also on the safety menu.After driving the Camry in a variety of conditions, from lumpy inner-city bitumen to quick country gravel and at Toyota's testing course at Anglesea, it's tough to find any faults. The newcomer is a five-star Camry and that will be more than enough for plenty of buyers.

The exciting new generation Camry has been created with a deliberate aim of attracting younger drivers to build on its already extensive list of loyal owners.Toyota Australia has spent $350 million and taken four years to create a car it believes is right for the 21st century.With a starting price of $26,990, features ranging from a smooth new body to backseat air conditioning vents just add to the sportier focus on driving enjoyment."Camry spearheads Toyota's drive to regain number one position in the Australian market," says Toyota Australia's senior executive vice-president, John Conomos."Export success is already assured. Demand from our existing export customers is strong and we are in the process of an investigation of new markets in China and South America."Young Australian designers have played a key part in creating the all-new Camry, the fifth generation to wear the badge Down Under.Toyota's manager of local manufacture strategy, Adrian Weimers, says the company has broadened the overall concept of the car to attract buyers in the 25-40-year-old age group as well as retaining its traditional owners who were on average over 40.A key part of this lifestyle-focus change is the creation of the first true sporty Camry, the Sportivo.With its contemporary lines and sporty aero kit it is aimed at creating a unique driving experience attractive to younger people.The Sportivo is the first Camry in the world to have a body kit fitted as standard. The kit consisting of front and rear spoilers and side and rear skirts was designed in Australia."The design of the vehicle is slightly more aggressive on the Sportivo," Weimers says."Inside there is a leather steering wheel and gearshift knob. There are also lots of splashes of metallic finish, with black pearl featuring strongly in the badging."Toyota expects that up to 20 per cent of all new Camrys sold will be the Sportivo.These models also boast tighter suspension settings, Michelin tyres, alloy wheels, sportier bucket seats and foglamps.The V6 Sportivo also has climate control air conditioning, side airbags and alcantara synthetic suede seat trim. "Sportivo is pitched very clearly at winning converts," Weimers says. "The car has been given a distinctly sporting hue."It is also the result of a worldwide survey of driving styles, which showed Australians - despite tight speed limits - have a sportier style and corner more briskly than Americans, Japanese or Europeans.The Toyota research found Australian driving patterns are more similar to those in Europe than America or Japan. It found Australian drivers rarely exceed 120 km/h because of speed limits, but on the open road they are loathe to drop beneath the legal limit so cornering speeds are higher and more aggressive than even in Europe.Backing the new car is an extensive promotional campaign. Sportivo has its own advertisement emphasising its position."You could drop any European brand into that advertisment and it would look right," Weimers says.And, he adds, the across-the-board changes over the previous model Camry are profound."It's a really important part of our launch strategy to get people to understand that the standard specification of the new car is significantly above that of the superseded Camry," Weimers says.The Camry body was designed in Japan, and the American version is already heading for number one in the US, but the local model is very Australian.The "Australianisation" includes everything from the headlamps to the suspension.There is also a new 2.4-litre four-cylinder motor, claimed to be the lightest of its type in the world, which is being built at a new $90 million engine factory in Melbourne alongside the Altona assembly line.The heart of the Camry is its chassis - billed as the "Toyota Modular Platform" because of its flexibility and potential for development of extra models. The chassis is already shared with the Avalon and there is talk of an all-wheel drive model at some time in the future.Topped by a swish new body with lower drag, the Camry boasts a bigger (and quieter) cabin and a boot that's bigger than a Falcon or Commodore.The headlights make a striking statement and, thanks to intensive local development, mean much brighter Camry nights.The lamps are part of a program which has boosted local content to 77 per cent, a Camry record, and covered everything from the seats and sound system to the brakes and suspension."Toyota Australia has had local engineering input in locally manufactured product for more than two decades, but nothing matches the scale of involvement in this new Camry," says Toyota's divisional general manager Max Gillard."This reflects the confidence Toyota Motor Corporation has in TMCA's technical division."The work of the engineers and specialists involved in the car, is reflected in the final line-up. There are 11 Camry models, each of them offering a value-added boost to the final specification.For example the starting-price four-cylinder Altise offers twin airbags, four-wheel disc brakes, air-conditioning, CD player, power windows, electric mirrors, remote central locking and a power socket. And there's a choice of nine exterior colours.All up, the new Camry provides a driving package that deserves the serious consideration of new car buyers.

The new-look Toyota Camry is more than just a car. It's also a reflection of a stronger youth push at Brand T and a plan to bring younger customers into the Camry family.Toyota Australia spent big on the car and decided very early that it needed to be a body and soul makeover.So the basic shape is much more angular and aggressive than any previous Camry, while the cabins have been tweaked to make them more stylish and luxurious."The Camry is always going to be a damn good car- that's its advantage," says Danny Lazzari, a colour and trim specialist who helped lead the local design team."Camry has always offered a value package, but with New Camry we've taken it well away from a commodity. There is a lot more style."The single biggest difference is that the car is sportier. Compared with the previous Camry, the new model is much more distinctive - a theme we've tried to replicate on the exterior as well as the interior."Lazzari is only 34, although he has been at Toyota Australia for 12 years, and says his age has helped with the latest design brief.He is a real fan of the Sportivo Camry, which has been given a separate model line-up for the first time."Our objective with the Camry was to get younger people to appreciate the car. Our current customers are older so we needed to lower our buyer demographics," he says."With Sportivo, we will get the age demographic even lower. However, we must also be aware of our current loyal and trusting owners. Camry has one of the strongest groups of repeat buyers in the industry."The Australian development team began their work with a Camry designed as a world car, and with plenty of scope for local tweaking and tuning.The Sportivo, the most aggressive and youthful model in the 2002 line-up, is the most obvious Australian development."The whole Camry Sportivo package is outstanding both inside and out. I think we've hit it right on the head," says Lazzari."The Sportivo seat is the feature I am most satisfied with in the new Camry. The seat works well and it looks really good with the suede side bolsters."Because Lazzari specialises in colour and trim, he knows the value of the paintwork on the new Camry."If you look at the new car against the old one, the body gives the colours a totally different character - even white," he says."The body is sharper and crisper. The highlights are much more defined, rather than being soft and nondescript."A classic example is red. On the superseded car the demand for red was decreasing, but we expect it to rise on the new Camry. The new colours we've added - Platinum, Racing green, Cascade blue and Pacific blue - are much more youthful. They have a lot more mica and the angles on the body assist in highlighting the character of the colours."From an overall paint colour point of view the Platinum and Pacific blue have been well received. Platinum is proving a very popular colour with customers in the Middle East as well as Australia, so we're happy that it's working well internationally."Inside the Camry, Lazzari again emphasises the modern colour tunings."We've gone for more contrast, especially on the Sportivo," he says. "We have a darker grey crash pad and door uppers, while retaining the lighter grey on the lower half of the interior."There are a lot of design details happening with consumer products that you now see in the new Camry - painted metallic finishes and satin chrome. People are comfortable with the finishes they like at home also being used in their cars." Lazzari says the lag between consumer products and cars is decreasing. It used to be four to five years but now it's only one or two."The same thing happens with fabrics," he says. "If you look at house interiors they are now generally monochromatic, with texture and three-dimensional effects. Fashion has moved away from florals and prints."The emphasis is on the contrast level, rather than the colour itself. We are looking at tone ahead of colour." On the new Camry the design work extended all the way down to badges and graphics, which are new for 2002."We created new graphics for the new names. Altise, particularly, I'm very proud of that graphic," Lazzari says."There is a lot of motion in the designs. When we took the concepts to Japan they were really impressed with our proposals."That gave Toyota Japan the confidence to let Toyota Australia design the badges as well as all the trims for the Middle East."Toyota Australia develops and builds the Camry for the booming export market in the Middle East.