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Return of the king
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The new Toyota Camry is all set to enter India. Siddhraj Singh gives it a once over
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This car is no longer an over-inflated Corolla but an entity on its own, more in sync with Lexus
EYE CANDY The new Camry looks contemporary, completely European and stands apart from its rather staid and unprepossessing predecessor
Ten million sold - no, this is not the figure of Big Macs sold by McDonald's - this is the astonishing number of Camrys sold by Toyota since its 1980 debut. It's been the best selling car in the United States for seven out of the last eight years. Built in seven countries, it's sold in countless others, including India.
Original sinner
In India, however, the Camry has not enjoyed the success McDonald's has, or for that matter, any of the other Toyota cars. The high price (including the 104 per cent import duty) has driven the Camry beyond its ideal bracket. Sales have largely been to high-end hotels which pick up the cars cheap using their EPCG licence, paying only 5.5 per cent duty. But of late, these too have become scant - let's face it, how many hotels are there which can afford a fleet of Camrys even at half price? Despite the shortcomings on its PR and sales front, the current Camry is no slouch. Its engineering is pure Toyota - it is refined, oozes quality and comfort, and though not a racer at heart, has quite respectable performance. In this fickle and materialistic world where looks are as important as overall dynamics, the Camry's decisively bland, conservative styling didn't go down too well. It was perhaps due to this that it was tagged a boring and predictable buy. Toyota aims to change that with the seventh-generation Camry.
All-new winner
It's no longer an over inflated Corolla but an entity on its own, more in sync with Toyota's luxury brand, Lexus. A winged grille is flanked by narrow projector headlights, giving the car sharp visage. Door-line creases, a BMW 7-series inspired boot lid and angular taillights all add to the strictly European design aesthetics.
The dimensions of the new Camry have also been changed. Its wheelbase is now 56 mm longer, and the front and rear tracks get an additional 30 mm each - this combined with the original overall length gives it an aggressive stance.
Pop the hood open, and you noticed the new, old engine. I say this because it's the same 2.4-litre, four-pot, DOHC 2AZ-FE engine, but with bucketloads of upgrades.
Already one on the most refined engines in its class, it now get an advanced intake manifold, a reinforced cylinder block, lighter pistons, slightly higher compression ratio (9.8:1 from 9.6:1) and revised intake timing to help increase the redline to 6200 rpm.
Power is up from 154 to 158 bhp, but India will most likely get a detuned 148 bhp unit. Torque is up to 22.6 kgm, enough to move the 1500 kg sedan with ease.
At low revs the engine softly rolls along, but make use of the revs and it will reward you with smooth acceleration. Power delivery is through a 5-speed auto or manual, as you choose. While the manual is smooth like butter, its tall shift lever is awkward and feels out of place. A detuned version of Toyota's 3.5-litre V6 - the 2GR-FE - is also likely to make an appearance, to battle with the Accord's V6.
This 24-valve DOHC V6 makes 268 bhp internationally, but the figure will be lower here to cope with Indian fuel conditions.
Comfort is a prerequisite for a sedan this size and class. The old Camry was quite good at pampering its passenger, and so the McPherson struts in front and dual-link strut system at the rear are carried on, though the lower control arms are longer and the spring and damper rates have been revised.
The passengers can easily feel the importance given to them. From the floating ride and plush seats to the airy cabin, all add to the experience.
Larger wheel size (16-inch, up from 15) allows larger brakes to be utilized. The Camry now has 296 mm ventilated discs up front and 281 mm solids behind.
The standard Toyota Brake Assist system applies maximum braking pressure when it detects emergency braking, while anti-lock brakes (ABS) and Electronic brake-force distribution (EBD) are standard, with Vehicle stability control (VSC) also available.
The Camry, like all front-wheel drive vehicles, suffers from understeer under power, but not excessively. Compared to the outgoing model, the new car is more communicative, with better steering, firmer ride and excellent road holding.
The use of high strength steel in the body adds to torsional rigidity and provides a stronger crash structure. Add to this multiple airbags (including a driver's knee bag), anti-whiplash headrests and the host of the pre-mentioned driver aids, and you get one safe car.
Pampering stuff
Quality interior appointment is what you would have come to expect from the flagship model of a brand like Toyota.
Beautifully crafted instrumentation adorns the two-tone dash. Creature comforts like dual zone climate control and a high-end audio system with Bluetooth telephony, iPod integration, mp3 compatibility and JBL speakers are all set to feature, though this audio system might be replaced by a locally sourced one for India.
Rear passengers receive an increase of legroom to 973 mm from 960 mm, and the top-of-the-line models receive recline-able backrests.
Toyota has long been synonymous with quality - they have managed to infiltrate the backyard of America and have beaten the Americans at their own game - pickups.
With the new Camry, they have managed to build yet another showcase of their talents in engineering and vehicle integration.
Set to launch this month, the Camry's estimated price is Rs 21 lakh (ex-showroom), a tad higher than its competitors.
But with a fresh modern design combined with world-beating dynamics and packaging, the Camry is sure to turn heads in the industry.
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