FIRST DRIVE ~ 2012 Toyota Camry
PICTON, On.: The 2012 Camry represents the single largest launch in the history of Toyota Canada.Eclipsing the $5 million spent in 2006 to promote the Yaris, Toyota is leaving no medium untouched to get out the message. From an eight-page glossy broadsheet newspaper insert with 2.5 million circulation, to a national magazine and broadcast deal with Rogers, to Twitter/Facebook/Internet and announcing it as the official car and truck supplier to the Winnipeg Jets, Toyota clearly intends to reinforce its position in the mid-size sedan segment where it has been the top seller for 13 of the last 14 years.
And at one of the largest assemblages of Canadian automotive journalists I have seen under one roof, Toyota Canada president and CEO, Yoichi Tomihara, said the woes of the past are behind Toyota and, “we are back in the car business ... and I love it.”
To prove the point, he announced Toyota/Lexus/Scion will have no less than 20 new or refreshed models on the road by the end of 2012.
Toyota calls the 2012 Camry its “New Era” sedan. For some 30 years, the Camry excelled at providing reliable and sensibly priced mid-size ride and comfort – and it still does.
But for 2012, Toyota, to my surprise anyway, is talking about the Camry also offering “emotional appeal” not just with stylish interiors and exteriors but a sense of something more.
For instance, with 10 standard airbags, Toyota believes the driver will feel glad he/she is keeping passengers safe or, with claimed best in segment fuel economy, will feel good about reducing his/her carbon footprint.
The first emotion I felt concerned the interior size of the new Camry. With the front seat all the way back, I could just touch the pedals while the backseat legroom would do justice to an airport limousine.The other emotion buyers will feel is relief in terms of their wallets.
Prices have been reduced across the board from $800 up to $2,700 depending on the model, while content has increased dramatically. An example is $4,000 of added equipment on the topline XLE-V6.
There are five Camry models starting with the LE ($23,700), SE ($26,950) and XLE ($29,900) all with a 2.5-litre, DOHC inline four-cylinder producing 178 hp and 170 lb/ft of torque. Fuel consumption is listed at 8.2/5.6/7.0L/100 km city/highway/combined.
Next are the SE-V6 ($29,900) and XLE-V6 ($33,700) with a 3.5-litre DOHC V6 making 268 hp and 248 lb/ft of torque while returning 9.7/6.4/8.2L/100 km city/highway/combined.
There is one transmission, a six-speed automatic. With a second generation of people who have never learned to drive a manual, there is really is no need for a manual.
The other Camry in the mix is the Hybrid in LE and XLE trim with 200 net horsepower.
It uses a 2.5-litre gasoline engine with CVT transmission instead of the previous 2.4-litre. In LE form, fuel consumption is listed at 4.5/4.9/4.7L;/100 km city/highway/combined. Prices have yet to be announced so I will be driving this in the future in a separate road test.
In addition to the 10 aforementioned airbags, all Camrys come with Toyota’s Star Safety System which includes Vehicle Stability Control (VSC), Traction Control (TRAC), Anti-lock Braking System (ABS), Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD) and Brake Assist (BA). It also features the standard Smart Stop Technology brake-override system. An electronic tire pressure monitoring system is standard equipment. There are really too many detail improvements to discuss here but one is “vortex generators”, one between each outside mirror and the A-pillar and one at each rear taillight. Gleaned from Toyota’s F1 program, they force air to flow closer to the body thus reducing drag.
While the suspension remains coil springs over MacPherson struts at the front and multi-link rear, the geometry is much changed. A lot of work was done to reduce pitch while cornering and stability were reworked for what Toyota calls a “flat ride.”
I drove the SE, LE and, primarily, the SE-V6.
With its 56 extra body welds and revised suspension, the V6 is very entertaining with its paddle shifters that automatically blip the throttle when shifting down.
But for my money, the 2.5-litre is the one to have.
During the press launch in the Picton area, I took off on my own for a few hours because I know the area well.
Roads there are good, but narrow and the Camry is a big car but because it tracks as well as it corners, it felt more like a European sedan than one aimed primarily at North Americans.
With the leaves turning seemingly before my eyes, the Bloomfield, East Lake and Cherry Valley areas of Prince Edward County never looked so lovely.
The 2.5-litre was very responsive aided by the six-speed automatic that shifted up and down so smoothly I had to look down from time to time to see what gear I was in.Another nice touch was the standard audio system with a 6.1-inch screen and six-speakers. It displays energy use, fuel consumption, and if you go for the SE or XLE, there is a back-up camera.
Integrated in the choice of two steering wheels is a one-thumb click switch on the left spoke that controls a number of functions meaning you don’t have to take your eyes off the road or hands off the wheel.
Driving back to Toronto in the LE as a passenger, I had a better chance to look at the fit and finish of the interior.
There were many little things such as the stitching around the main instrument binnacle, the way the B-pillar is bowed out to give more space between the seat and the door and more cup and beverage holders than I could count.
Finished in a two-tone upper black and lower beige with matching seat and door trim beige, that LE is the one I’d be looking at.
Yes, as Tomihara-san said, Toyota is back but this time it’s up against strong opposition such as Ford Fusion, Hyundai Sonata, Chevrolet Malibu and Kia Optima with the Koreans, in particular, taking no prisoners when it comes to content and cost.
But Toyota has not been the mid-size segment leader for 13 out of the last 14 years by accident.
With its reputation for build quality and content-for-the-dollar, the 2012 Camry has what it takes to make the leader for the 15th year.
BODY STYLE: mid-size sedan.DRIVE METHOD: front-engine, front-wheel-drive
ENGINE: 2.5-litre DOHC inline four-cylinder (178 hp, 170 lb/ft); 3.5-litre DOHC V6 (268 hp, 248 lb/ft)
FUEL ECONOMY: Regular, 2.5-litre, 8.2/5.6/7.0L/100 km city/highway/combined; 3.5-litre, 9.7/6.4/8.2L/100 km city/highway/combined
CARGO VOLUME: 425 litres (15.0 cu ft)
PRICE: 2.5-litre, LE ($23,700), SE ($26,950) and XLE ($29,900); 3.5-litre, SE-V6 ($29,900), XLE-V6 ($33,700)
