DETROIT MOTOR SHOW: 2018 Toyota Camry due before year's end

Japan has been confirmed as the manufacturing base for the 2018 Camry, which will arrive in showrooms later this year.

Landing shortly after Toyota completes the shutdown of its Altona car making plant in Melbourne, where the current Camry is produced, the imported version brings a new design, larger proportions and more mature handling — all spun off Toyota’s new GA-K platform.

The eighth-generation model will be offered with three engine choices: a 2.5-litre petrol four-cylinder, a 3.5-litre petrol V6 and a four-cylinder petrol-electric hybrid.

Toyota has also revealed it will discontinue its Aurion nameplate in Australia, simply reverting back to Camry V6.

“It’s a wonderful package for the Australian consumer and will be really suited to our market,” Toyota Australia executive director Tony Cramb said of the new Camry.

“It will take the Camry to new heights in terms of design but also in terms of ride characteristics. It’s a great handling vehicle.”

The new Camry measures 9mm longer than the current version, at 4859mm, and is 19mm wider, at 1839mm. A re-positioned centre of gravity is also achieved thanks in part to a 49mm longer wheelbase and a roof that’s 30mm closer to the ground.

Double-wishbone rear suspension and increased torsional rigidity is expected to afford a sportier ride and handling balance than before. The Camry will roll on 17-, 18- or 19-inch wheels dependent on the variant.

All Australian Camrys will feature a pre-collision safety system, automated emergency braking, adaptive cruise control and lane departure warning.

Inside, new models will feature more soft-touch materials and stitched trim. An 8.0-inch touch-screen will do duty in top-spec models, while a 7.0-inch display will feature lower in the range.

Toyota has eschewed the Camry’s foot-operated park brake for an electric unit, and will also offer a colour head-up display.

Cramb wouldn’t be drawn on the pricing or specification of the replacement Camry.

“It’s too early to say,” he said.

However, he has already tipped the replacement to be as successful as the Australian-built model, which has been driven hard to market in order to fulfil supplier and manufacturing commitments.