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Interior Design
While featuring nearly the same external
dimensions as the previous generation, the 2012 Camry offers a more inviting and
spacious interior. A new dashboard design, modified seat locations, redesigned
seats and "lean" door, pillar and headliner trim all combine to add both real
space and greater perceptual spaciousness while also enhancing outward
visibility. Repositioning the driver's seat and the standard tilt/telescoping
steering wheel (tilt has increased 33 percent for greater driver comfort) also
aid forward visibility and enhance the driver's positioning.
The
accelerator pedal and front seats were moved forward, and the rear-seat hip
point was positioned rearward, increasing the couple distance by 0.6-inch;
together with reshaped front seatbacks help increase rear-knee room by 1.8-inch.
The redesigned center console and front edge of the rear-seat cushion increase
rear middle seat legroom by two inches.
Not as obvious are the many areas
where Camry designers reshaped interior trim to increase the feeling of
spaciousness, including the A- and B-pillars, headliner over the rear seat and
door trim. In most vehicles, space is left between the structure and the trim to
yield a "clean" surface. Using a lean-car design approach, the trim more closely
follows the structure beneath it. The result is added space that contributes
much more to a feeling of comfort than the gains in mere millimeters might
suggest.
Three-dimensional construction and contrasting-material textures
give the new instrument panel a feeling of depth, while the shapes themselves
contribute to a more spacious cabin and improved forward sightlines. The
prominently curved center cluster appears to float over the instrument panel,
reducing its visual mass. Soft textures used on the upper instrument panel,
upper door trim, door armrests and center console armrest contribute to greater
comfort in the Camry. Stitching on the instrument panel soft padding and
matching stitching-look trim elsewhere helps to create a sense of luxury.
Aluminum-color and chrome trim are used judiciously.
The Camry LE and XLE
grades feature either ivory or gray seating color; the Camry SE features unique
upholstery in black-on-black or black-on-gray. Newly designed front-seat frames,
higher seatbacks and longer seat cushions enhance comfort. The height adjustment
on the driver's seat offers nearly a half inch greater range than before (total
travel is 2.4 inches). The SE's sporty front seats provide thicker side
bolsters, and the exclusive three-spoke leather-wrapped steering wheel offers
paddle-shift control for the six-speed automatic transmission.
For 2012,
the Camry offers four seat-covering materials: fabric in the LE and XLE; fabric
with SofTex in the SE, standard leather trim on the XLE V6 (optional in the XLE
four-cylinder), and Ultrasuede with leather available for the SE and XLE Hybrid.
Heated seats are standard on the XLE V6 and are available for SE, XLE
four-cylinder and Hybrid with variable temperature control.
The new Camry
provides the added functionality demanded by consumers today, yet keeps its
controls straightforward and intuitive to use. Control knobs impart a
high-precision feel when used. Special attention was paid to function and
comfort with the center console design. Soft kneepads on both sides add comfort
for the driver and passenger; the front section offers a 12V accessory connector
and an easy-to-access USB/input jack port for connecting iPods and other media
devices. A sliding rear console door - rather than the more traditional flip-up
design - enables easier access from either front seat. Two steering wheel
designs, with integrated audio and Bluetooth controls, are featured: a
four-spoke for LE; a leather-wrapped four-spoke for XLE; and a sporty
three-spoke, leather-wrapped wheel for the SE.
All grades now feature a
standard 60/40 split folding rear seatback to expand cargo capacity. The seats
can be lowered by a remote release from the trunk area. Rear-seat side airbags
are standard across the line, and an armrest with cup holders adds comfort and
convenience.
Performance and Efficiency
The revised
2.5-liter four-cylinder engine now offers 178 horsepower, an increase of nine
hp, and 170 lb-ft of peak torque. EPA-estimated fuel economy figures are 25 mpg
city/35 highway, and the 28 mpg combined is two more than the previous
generation Camry. The 2.5-liter engine employs Dual VVT-i (Dual Variable Valve
Timing-intelligent), which controls valve timing on both the intake and exhaust
camshafts for optimal performance and efficiency at all engine speeds. The
Acoustic Control Induction System (ACIS) helps optimize torque over a broad
engine speed range.
The DOHC 3.5-liter V6, available in the SE and XLE
grades, delivers 268 horsepower at 6,200 rpm and 248 lb-ft of peak torque at
4,700 rpm. Enhancements to this engine boost its fuel economy to projected
EPA-estimated ratings of 21 mpg city/30 mpg highway, the best for any current V6
midsize sedan.
The gas-engine LE, XLE and SE models come equipped
exclusively with a six-speed automatic transmission that offers a sequential
manual shift mode using the console shifter. Intelligent control adapts shifting
strategy in response to driver input, with fast kick-down. In addition, the
Camry SE exclusively offers a "D range" sequential shifting, which allows manual
shifting with the new steering wheel paddle shifters even when the console
shifter is in the "D" mode. Also exclusive to the Camry SE, the automatic
transmission features faster shift times when in "S" mode and downshift blipping
control emphasizes a sense of sportiness.
Grade Strategy
The all-new Toyota Camry will offer four different
model grades to choose from. Camry will be available in the entry-level L,
value-driven LE, premium XLE and sporty SE grades. The XLE and SE are available
with four-cylinder or V6 engines.
Advanced Connectivity
Seamlessly integrated into the Camry are state-of-the-art electronics and
enhanced connectivity features. A Bluetooth wireless connection for compatible
hands-free phone calls is standard, now improved by an available automatic phone
book transfer function. Also standard is a USB port that allows playing of music
and video from portable audio devices, using the vehicle sound system and
available in-dash display screen, including full iPod integration.
The
standard audio system on LE, XLE and SE has a 6.1-inch screen and six speakers.
The screen also displays the energy monitor and fuel consumption data, and
functions as the monitor for the available integrated back-up camera (SE and XLE
only) and the Display Audio System. The screen also offers a new value-driven
navigation system and serves as a portal for Entune, Toyota's innovative new
multimedia system. An available HD Radio system enables CD sound quality from
digital FM broadcasts, and has features that maximize analog and AM broadcast
sound quality. The system will include HD Radio with iTunes tagging for future
purchase and SiriusXM Satellite Radio.
The top-of-the-line audio is
equipped with a new seven-inch Premium HDD Navigation system with Entune and
JBL. This system offers a new split-screen feature that allows for
simultaneously displaying navigation and audio information.
Camry also
offers the new JBL GreenEdge audio system that combines an eight-channel
amplifier and door-mounted "acoustic lens" speakers, to provide a high-quality
sound. The GreenEdge amplifier achieves a 66-percent reduction in overall mass
and a 50-percent enhancement in sound efficiency. The GreenEdge speakers produce
a higher output of sound with the same power or less consumption of conventional
models.
Entune Multimedia System
Camry will be one of the
first Toyotas to offer the Entune multimedia system. For the first time ever in
a Toyota automobile, this new system leverages the mobile smartphone to provide
a richer in-vehicle experience with fully integrated access to navigation,
entertainment and information services.
Toyota Entune debuts the
first-ever support for engaging mobile apps, such as Bing, OpenTable, and
movietickets.com, along with accessing useful travel-related services, such as
live weather, traffic, fuel information (location and price), stocks, and
sports. Toyota Entune brings the largest selection of music options available to
a vehicle, including iHeartRadio's 750+ stations, and Pandora's personalized
music service.
The audio systems combined with Entune feature a
best-in-class, advanced conversational voice recognition system that helps the
driver to stay focused on the road by eliminating the need to memorize thousands
of voice commands. The system will also allow for audio read-back and replay
capabilities for text messages, with the ability to respond by pre-set "Quick
Reply Messages" such as: "I'm driving and will reply later."
Exceptional Handling and Ride
A more rigid body structure, revised
front suspension, redesigned rear suspension and aerodynamics all help to imbue
the new Camry with greater straight-line stability and crisper steering
response, while also enhancing overall ride comfort. Handling stability, more
than just conveying a sense of driving enjoyment, also greatly influences the
driver's feeling of security.
The 2012 Camry body structure uses a
greater amount of high tensile steel (440 Mpa or higher) than before and even
stronger high tensile strength sheet steel (590 Mpa or higher), resulting in a
stronger but lighter body than the previous model. A flared design on the doors
and fenders enables use of slimmer but stronger construction. High tensile
aluminum bumper supports are lighter yet stronger than before. Newly developed
plastic for the bumper covers and cowl louvers reduces weight as well.
The stiffened cowl section increases suspension-area rigidity, suppressing
twist. The front-suspension towers are directly connected through the cowl to
increase rigidity, and the attachment method and reinforcement braces have been
strengthened. The all-new rear underbody and rear subframe increase lateral
force control and torsional rigidity.
The McPherson-strut front
suspension now uses inversely wound coil springs that enhance straight-line
stability. Shock-absorber damping and stabilizer-bar thickness have been
optimized as well. The rear suspension retains the proven dual-link strut
configuration of the previous model but has been redesigned with new geometry
(increased toe-in during cornering and braking) and retuned components to
enhance cornering stability. Coil springs, bushings, stabilizer-bar and
shock-absorber damping have all been revised.
All Camry grades feature
newly developed all-season tires designed for an optimal balance of fuel
economy, handling, quietness, ride comfort and braking performance. The LE grade
features standard 16-inch wheels; the SE comes standard with five-spoke 17-inch
alloy wheels and the V6 SE offers the first 18-inch alloy wheels on a Camry. The
latter feature is a unique twist-spoke design with 225/45 R18 all-season tires.
Camry SE models will also include tires that have more grip. The Camry XLE comes
standard with 17-inch alloy wheels featuring an elegant 10-spoke design.
Safety and Security
All 2012 Camry models are equipped with 10
standard airbags: dual-stage advanced SRS front airbags, front and rear
seat-mounted side airbags, side curtain airbags and a driver's and front
passenger's knee airbag. The front-passenger's knee airbag and rear-seat side
airbags are new to Camry.
The Camry's body structure is designed to help
absorb collision-impact forces and help minimize impact deformation to the
passenger cabin. High-strength steel is used for B-pillar and rocker-panel
reinforcements to help manage overall body deformation in the event of certain
side collisions. The seat frames also are designed to help absorb side collision
loads. The inner-hood structure and front-edge construction are designed to help
reduce pedestrian injuries in a collision.
Like all Toyota models, the
Camry will feature Toyota's Star Safety System standard, which includes Vehicle
Stability Control (VSC), Traction Control (TRAC), Anti-lock Braking System
(ABS), Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD) and Brake Assist. It also
features the standard Smart Stop Technology brake-override system. An electronic
tire pressure monitoring system is standard equipment.
Another available
safety system, Safety Connect, can access a call center with a live operator who
can dispatch police and emergency vehicles. The system combines automatic
collision notification and a stolen vehicle locator feature, which can track the
location of the stolen vehicle via GPS and help guide police to recover it.
The new available Blind Spot Monitor uses sub-millimeter wave radar to
detect vehicles in the driver's blind spots. When the system detects a vehicle
in the adjacent lane, it alerts the driver using indicators on the side mirrors.
If the turn signal is on when the there is a vehicle in the blind spot of the
driver's intended lane, the indicator on the corresponding mirror will flash.
The driver can switch off the system, if desired.
In vehicles equipped
with one of the display audio systems and backup camera, when the vehicle is
shifted into Reverse, the audio display will show the image of what the camera
captures, along with an overlay of positioning lines representing the parking
space and distance to obstacles.
Toyota Camry XLE: Photo Gallery, Review (1/2) and Specifications