On August 23, 2011, Toyota unveiled its seventh-generation brainchild, the 2012 Toyota Camry. The updated car received a new design, a more spacious interior, improved dynamics and a quieter ride compared to its predecessor. In safety, economy and multimedia class, the new Camry is the best Toyota has ever created. First launched in 1983, the Toyota Camry became the "template" for today's midsize sedans, defining quality, reliability and convenience criteria for many years. Since then, the car has sold more than 15 million units worldwide.
"The 2012 Camry combines important qualities for a car such as - comfort, performance, reliability and safety, all combined with an attractive design," said Bob Carter, vice president and general manager of the Toyota division. "Competition in the midsize sedan class is strong, so we're making sure the Camry provides continued leadership and expands its appeal."
The 2012 Toyota Camry offers a choice of three engines, each of which has been upgraded for improved fuel efficiency and responsiveness. The 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine now has 178 hp, 9 more than in the previous version, and a maximum torque of 170 Nm. Fuel economy estimates are 9.4l/100km in the city and 6.72l/100km on the highway. The 2.5-litre engine uses Dual VVT-I technology, which controls valve timing on both intake and exhaust valves for optimal performance and efficiency at all engine speeds. Acoustic Induction Control System (ACIS) helps optimize torque over a wide engine speed range.
Exterior design.
The 2012 Camry has a simple, yet sleek, modern look that emphasizes the wide, lower stance compared to previous models. Strongly curved doors and moldings (chrome in the LE and XLE classes) give the Camry a more distinctive look.
The headlights, which merge with the bumper, have more dynamic shapes with a pronounced curvature. Fog lights are standard on the XLE and SE classes.
The LE and XLE Camry models feature additional chrome exterior trim; the SE class has its own exclusive lower-body design and a fine-meshed grille at the top.
For 2012, new colors were added to the Camry's new body design, including Attitude Black Metallic and Clearwater Blue.
Interior of the car
With virtually the same dimensions as the last generation, the new Camry has a more attractive and spacious interior. The new dashboard design, modified seat location, pillars and headliner create a feeling of more space and roominess. A change in seat position and standard steering wheel tilt (33 percent more tilt) help improve visibility and the driver's seat.
The accelerator pedal and front seats have been moved forward and the rear seats slightly backward, increasing the distance between them by 1.5 cm. The center console and the front edge of the rear seat have been redesigned, increasing the rear seat legroom by an average of 5 cm.
Three-dimensional designs and contrasting material textures give the new dashboard a sense of depth, while the shapes themselves contribute to the feeling of a more spacious cabin and improved front visibility. The curved lines on the dashboard visually reduce its weight. Soft textures, door trim, door armrests and a center armrest contribute to increased comfort in the Camry. Soft upholstery and neat trim stitching help create a sense of luxury. Aluminum and chrome trim are used judiciously.
The seats in the Camry LE and XLE models are ivory; the Camry SE has unique black or black and gray upholstery. The design of the front seats with higher backrests and larger cushions increases comfort levels. The driver's seat height adjustment has increased by almost 1.3 cm.
The 2012 Camry offers four seat upholstery options: cloth in LE and XLE, cloth with Softex in SE, standard leather trim on XLE V6, and Ultrasuede® with leather for SE and XLE Hybrid. Heated seats are standard on the XLE V6.
Special attention has been paid to the functionality and comfort of the center console. The front section has a 12V socket and USB port for connecting players and other multimedia devices.
Folding rear seat backs allow to increase cargo space. Side airbags as well as a rear armrest with cup holders add comfort and convenience.
Performance and efficiency
The DOHC 3.5-liter V6 engine is found on SE and XLE models. It has 286 hp and 6200 rpm, with a maximum torque of 248 Nm reached at 4,700 rpm. Improvements in this engine are primarily in terms of fuel efficiency: 11.2l/100km in the city and 7.8l/100km on the highway.
The V6 uses a camshaft chain drive and a Dual VVT-I intelligent variable camshaft timing function. To improve efficiency, the V6 is equipped with a new, lower viscosity oil and a special fluid that helps it reach operating temperature faster in cold weather.
The LE, XLE and SE models are equipped with a six-speed automatic transmission that offers a sequential manual shift mode via the shift console.
Standard features in the 2012 Camry
Modern electronic technology and extensions are integrated into the 2012 Camry. Bluetooth technology for wireless telephone communication, as well as automatic transfer of the telephone book, are now standard features. Also, standard is a USB port that allows music and video playback from portable audio devices using the vehicle's audio system.
The standard audio system on LE, XLE and SE models has a 6.1-inch screen and six speakers. The monitor screen also displays energy and fuel consumption data, as well as integrated rearview camera functions (on SE and XLE only) and an audio system display. In addition, the screen features a navigation system that is integrated with Entune (Toyota's innovative multimedia system).
The Camry also offers the JBL GreenEdge™ audio system, which combines an eight-channel amplifier and door-mounted speakers for high sound quality.
Entune multimedia system
The Camry is one of the first vehicles to feature the Entune multimedia system. This new system uses a smartphone to provide integrated access to navigation, entertainment and information services.
Thanks to the support of a range of apps in Entune, the driver has access to information such as weather, traffic, fuel prices, promotions and sports.
The audio system combined with Entune is an advanced conversational voice recognition system that helps the driver focus on the road, eliminating the need to memorize thousands of voice commands.
Quiet Indicators
Toyota engineers have taken care to reduce noise levels in the car. Wind and road noise are usually noticeable to drivers and passengers. Low noise figures (in decibels) do not always mean a subjectively quiet interior. Passengers' perception of quietness also depends on the type and frequency of sound.
Measures that have been taken to suppress wind noise include door seals, optimized placement of soundproofing materials, the use of foam in doorways, special acoustic windows, and special hood mounts.
Exceptional drivability and smooth running
A stiffer body structure, revised front suspension, and redesigned rear suspension, fill the new Camry with more stability and clearer steering, increasing overall ride comfort.
The 2012 Camry's body is made of high-strength steel (440 MPa or higher), making the model harder and lighter. Specially designed bumper and hood louvers also reduce weight.
McPherson struts in the front increase stability on straightaways. The rear suspension retains the proven Dual-Link strut configuration from the previous model, which has been redesigned with new geometry (increased convergence during cornering and braking) improving cornering stability.
Aerodynamic airflow control elements under the car also contribute to a smoother ride.
Safety
All 2012 Camry models are equipped with ten standard airbags. Rear airbags and front knee airbags are new for the Camry.
The Camry's body structure is designed to help absorb impact forces and minimize the impact on cabin deformation. The car uses high-strength steel, and the seats are designed to help absorb the stress of a side collision. The internal structure of the hood and front end is designed to reduce pedestrian injury in a collision.
Like all Toyota models, the Camry will be equipped with Toyota's Star Safety System™ as standard, which includes Vehicle Stability Control (VSC), Traction Control (TRAC), Anti-lock Braking System (ABS), Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD) and Emergency Braking System. Electronic tire pressure monitoring is standard equipment.
Another available safety system, Safety Connect, will help contact an operator in case of an emergency to help send police and ambulances to the victims. The system combines automatic collision notification as well as in the event of a stolen vehicle. It will help you track the location of your stolen vehicle using GPS.