NEW YORK MOTOR SHOW: Toyota Australia's last Camry
Final Melbourne-made Camry emerges in US, will miss new safety and multimedia techToyota has unveiled the last Camry it will build Down Under. The debut took place in the form of the launch of the US-market’s facelift of the eponymous medium sedan at the New York International Auto Show overnight.
The Camry’s airing follow Chevrolet release of the first images of the last Cruze Holden will build in Australia earlier this week.
Both facelifted models will enter production next year before Holden and Toyota close their Australian factories in 2017.
And while the mildly updated Cruze appeared without fanfare or even a press presentation at today’s New York motor show, the most comprehensive midlife makeover ever seen for a Camry was given star billing.
Just over two years after its Australian release in December 2011, the Camry receives a mid-cycle upgrade more akin to an entire model change, bringing almost 2000 new parts including a bold new front-end design, an almost complete reskin (the roof is carried over) and a host of new multimedia and safety technologies.
Alas, Toyota Australia, which in August last year received $30 million from the federal government to help fund production, has confirmed none of the new infotainment or driver aid technologies will be fitted to our Camry.
Instead, Australia’s 2015 Camry will come with a carryover interior and the same 2.5-litre petrol and hybrid powertrains, wrapped in a new body that should ensure up to 70 per cent of production at Altona continues to be exported to the Middle East.
It will be followed soon after by an even more mildly updated 2015 Aurion.
The Camry has been Australia’s top-selling mid-size car for two decades and the North America’s most popular passenger car outright for the past 12 years. But the extensive changes revealed today 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 and Ford Fusion (Mondeo) -- as well as the upcoming Hyundai Sonata and Subaru Legacy/Liberty.
Apart from the more aggressive new exterior skin that adds 45mm to its length, the US Camry scores what Toyota claims is the most upscale interior in its segment, including soft-touch materials throughout the cabin.
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”.
While more sporting new XSE and Hybrid SE premium model grades join the US range, all 2015 Camrys score LED daytime running lights and the option of LED low- and high-beam headlights.
Inside North America’s (but not Australia’s Camry) is a new centre console with a “high-tech, upscale” look and a larger-capacity console tray with 12-volt and USB power outlets, plus the option of a first-in-class wireless charging system for compatible smartphones.
Within the US model’s new instrument panel is a 4.2-inch TFT screen flanked by three-dimensional Optitron gauges, displaying a wide range of trip computer, audio, navigation and communications functions.
New seat trims range from premium cloth to genuine leather and Ultrasuede with contrasting French stitching, while satin chrome interior highlights complete the more upmarket cabin.
The 2015 Camry, which goes 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 says its facelifted Camry will receive retuned suspension, but it’s unclear whether it will come with the US version’s upgraded steering and braking systems.
Toyota said the US electric power steering system was tuned 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.
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”.
Completing the 2015 US market Camry upgrade will be new safety technologies including Lane Departure Alert, Adaptive Cruise Control, Pre-Collision System with Auto High Beam, and Blind Spot Monitor with Rear Cross Traffic Alert.
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