Camry to bow out with a bang

Toyota will launch its final two Australian-made models in May, when the Camry is released with a major midlife makeover that will be more like a full redesign, followed within weeks by a more subtly upgraded Aurion.

The facelifts can't come soon enough for Toyota's two homegrown sedans, which will remain in production for just two and half years before the Japanese giant closes its Altona factory at the end of 2017, after which a new-generation Camry is likely to be imported from Thailand.

The Camry has been Australia’s top-selling mid-size car for two decades, with more than 850,000 produced here over the last 28 years, but Camry sales are down eight per cent to November this year, when the Aurion's showroom popularity has slumped more than 25 per cent.

The Camry has also been North America’s most popular car — period — for the past 12 years, but the extensive changes were fast-tracked to keep the Camry fresh as US sales slow in the face of newer mid-size sedan rivals like the Mazda6, Nissan Altima, Subaru Legacy (Liberty) and Ford Fusion (Mondeo), which goes on sale here in March, as well as the upcoming Hyundai Sonata (due here in February).

Toyota Australia in August last year received $30 million from the federal government to help fund production of its final Camry, with the vast majority again expected to be exported to the Middle East.

Ford Australia has just released its final Falcon and Territory models before the Broadmeadows plant closes in October 2016, while Holden is expected to release a revised Cruze early next year and a final MY16 Commodore update late next year, before closing its Adelaide factory doors in late 2017.

Local details were scarce when the facelifted Camry debuted at the New York motor show in April, when Toyota said the Melbourne-made version was unlikely to receive all of the near-2000 new components fitted to the US model.

However, Toyota Australia has now confirmed that while the Aurion will receive only a "minor upgrade", our Camry will brandish the "full facelift" – with only a few exceptions.

That means an all-new body except for the roof, adding 45mm to its length and making the 2015 Camry a radically different vehicle from the new model released here in December 2011.

Toyota says additional spot welds improve body rigidity and ride quality, while 10mm-wider wheel tracks and retuned suspension take the Camry’s handling “to a whole new level of responsiveness”.

The latest Camry, which went on sale in the US in September, is also said to be the quietest ever, thanks to improved window and door seals, 30 per cent more carpet insulating material and redesigned wing mirrors to reduce turbulence and noise.

Toyota Australia has confirmed its facelifted Camry will receive retuned suspension, and it’s also likely to come with the US version’s upgraded electric steering, which is said to deliver better on-centre feel, better straight line stability and more response, while a new two-stage brake booster is said to improve brake feel.

While all models there come with LED daytime running lights as standard, North America’s new top-shelf Hybrid SE and XSE models receive a unique mesh grille and fascia treatment, 18-inch wheels, unique shock absorbers, firmer bushings, stiffer springs and unique steering tune, “making it the sportiest Camry yet”.

For Australia, next year's Camry should also bring a host of new driver safety aids including Lane Departure Alert, Adaptive Cruise Control, Pre-Collision System, Auto High Beam and Blind Spot Monitor with Rear Cross Traffic Alert.

But while the Camry brings an aggressive new look, changes for Australia will be minimal inside and underneath, where there will be carry-over 2.5-litre petrol and hybrid powertrains.

And because the interior upgrades will be "market-specific", our Camry may not come with the US model’s new instrument panel featuring a new 4.2-inch TFT screen flanked by three-dimensional Optitron gauges, displaying a range of trip computer, audio, navigation and communications functions.

In the US, Toyota claims the 2016 Camry offers the most upscale interior in its segment, including soft-touch materials throughout, new seat trims ranging from premium cloth to genuine leather and Ultrasuede with contrasting French stitching. Satin chrome interior highlights complete the more upmarket cabin.

It's also unknown whether Toyota Australia's next Camry will bring the North American model's new centre console with larger-capacity tray housing 12-volt and USB power outlets, or the option of LED low and high-beam headlights or a first-in-class wireless charging system for compatible smartphones.