Business Sep. 05, 2011 - 03:30PM JST ( 3 )

TOYOTA CITY —

Toyota Motor Corp on Monday launched the redesigned Camry. With this redesign, the Camry has evolved into a new ERA1 sedan with luxurious styling and a bold presence. 

All Japan-market models are equipped with a hybrid system that uses a newly developed engine to provide outstanding fuel efficiency and drive performance, achieving the prestige and environmental performance befitting the Toyota brand’s flagship mid-sized sedan.

The original Camry debuted in 1980 as the rear-wheel-drive Celica Camry. Since the launch of the global-strategic front-wheel-drive sedan in 1982, cumulative sales have surpassed 14 million vehicles, and the Camry has earned an excellent reputation around the world. The Camry has maintained an unshakable status in the United States, where it has been the best-selling passenger car for nine consecutive years.

The upper grille and headlights combine to emphasize the broad and solid front view of the raised hood and to create a striking front mask.  The openings in the upper grille have been refined for better aerodynamics while the grille is thicker and has a plated finish. Together with the enlarged openings of the lower grille that enable improved cooling, the redesigned grilles create a front view that integrates luxury with innovation.

The roofline gives the impression of forward-angling character lines on the door shoulder section, while the trunk-end emphasizes the flow from the spoiler to the rear form, producing a dynamic side view that maintains aerodynamic performance.

The rear bumper extends beyond the vehicle’s corners and a plated garnish visually passes through the combination taillights to create a broad and stable rear form.

Airflow improving “aero-corners” are strategically placed in front of the front wheels and behind the rear wheels. The new two-grille front design uses a smaller upper grille and a larger lower grille that improve cooling efficiency by enhancing aerodynamic flow via reduced resistance.

Aero-stabilizing fins that incorporate a Formula One racing technology known as “vortex generators” are used at the door mirror mounts, contributing to handling and cruising stability.

All new Camry models for the Japan market feature the Toyota Hybrid System (THS) II, combining a newly developed 2.5-liter Atkinson cycle combustion engine (2AR-FXE) with reduction gear. Superior aerodynamic performance (with a coefficient drag value of 0.28) and reduced weight achieve fuel efficiency of 26.5 km/l under the Japanese Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (MLIT) 10-15 test cycle and 23.4 km/l under the JC08 test cycle—the highest levels for vehicles of similar gasoline-engine displacement.

Fuel efficiency exceeds the existing Japanese 2010 standards by 25% and meets the new 2015 Japanese fuel efficiency standards under the Law Concerning Rational Use of Energy. In addition, emissions are 75% lower than the 2005 standards under the MLIT approval system for low-emission vehicles, which is currently the strictest standard in Japan for emissions. Thus, the Camry qualifies for Japanese government tax reductions and subsidies for environment-friendly vehicles.

The price ranges from 3.04 million yen to 3.8 million yen.