Toyota introduced today the all-new, seventh-generation Camry, America’s best-selling car for nine years running and 13 of the past 14 years. The 2012 Camry debuts a bold, sophisticated new design with a more spacious interior, improved driving dynamics and an even quieter ride than before. With class leading safety, fuel economy and multi-media technology added in, the end result is the best Camry ever made. Introduced in 1983, the Toyota Camry would later establish the template for the modern midsize sedan, setting benchmarks for Quality, Dependability and Reliability, along with a comfortable, quiet ride.Since that time, Toyota has sold more than 15 million Camry models worldwide.
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 2012 Camry Hybrid meets AT-PZEV (Advanced Technology Partial-credit Zero Emissions Vehicle) standards.New sound absorbing materials in the engine compartment, along with more linear control over engine speed, give the 2012 Camry Hybrid a more pleasing sound under acceleration.
Because there are situations in which the gas engine in the Camry Hybrid shuts off, air conditioning and power steering systems are driven electrically. New efficiency measures in the Hybrid Synergy Drive system include reducing internal losses in the transaxle, improving motor-voltage control, and optimizing the regenerative braking. The proven nickel-metal-hydride battery, located in the luggage compartment behind the rear seats, now features enhanced air-cooling. Its more compact size, along with moving the DC/DC converter to the engine compartment, results in a trunk that is 2.1-cubic feet larger than in the previous-generation Camry Hybrid.
Instantaneous fuel economy is shown with LEDs (light emitting diodes) around the outside of the average fuel economy gauge. The car’s Multi-Information display graphically shows fuel economy in real time and can also show energy flow, and cruising range information.
As before, applying the brake converts the motor to a generator that captures the kinetic energy from the still-spinning vehicle wheels, storing it in the hybrid battery pack. Putting the shifter into “B” uses regenerative braking as a form of engine braking for enhanced control on steep descents. New hill-start assist control helps prevent the vehicle from rolling backward when starting off on an incline when the brake pedal is released.
The Camry LE and XLE feature additional exterior chrome trim, and the SE grade debuts its own lower-body design and exclusive fine-mesh upper grille section. The SE also features three-part lower grille section housing fog lamps, along with black sport trim headlamp bezels. The more prominent rocker panel moldings on the SE cleanly link to integrated front and rear underbody spoilers, emphasizing width, and the trunk lid carries an integrated spoiler.
Accentuating the new body design are four new colors.Two of the colors (Attitude Black Metallic and Clearwater Blue) are all-new to Toyota in the U.S.Attitude Black Metallic blends in a bright blue pigment for an intriguing take on traditional jet black; Clearwater Blue incorporates a silver metallic pigment to lend this hue a glassy, water-like finish.
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.
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.
All new Camry models will be the first to feature Toyota’s latest electric power steering (EPS) control system, which will offer more flexibility to steering-feel tuning.The system regulates power-assist response based on vehicle speed, and for the first time steering-input rate. The vehicle-speed sensing feature will provide light effort during low speeds, changing to moderate effort during higher speeds.
The SE grade will feature a power-assist ratio that provides a more sporty feeling than the LE and XLE.
Also, electricity is only consumed when assist power is necessary, helping to improve fuel economy. Electric power steering is also more environment-friendly, as it does not require hydraulic fluid.
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 225/45R18 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.
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.
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 desiIn 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.
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