Topic: Spy look at '12 Toyota Camry

[Mike]

Well, it seems Toyota may be putting NASCAR styling cues into their cars (lower front fascia).  Since your racing car 'template' can be very liberal from the actual production vehicle, I would assume this is done to sell more Camry's to Americans?

[Ice]

It's really not that different than what Toyota did with the last Prius redesign.


The reviewers say that it's for aerodynamics.

[Frontier1]

Definitely dullsville. Looks like they just went back to the model before the last one and sad "Right, let's do that again."

Any word on engines - or just carry-overs?  The existing V6 is still one of the best out there, IMO, so it wouldn't shock me if they just hung on to that.

Jaeger

V6 will be a bit more powerful, the 4 is identical to last year.  The Acura like grill is not a compliment.  Oh well we have the Hyundai Sonata and Kia Optima when looks matter and I'm sure other sexy offerings are on the way.  Honestly Toyota we can't even give you an E for effort...sad.

[Ice]

To be fair, last year was when the 2.5L I4 was introduced. It's the newest I4 engine that Toyota has. It's not as cutting edge as the Sonata's GDi powerplant but it is new. The transmission is all new as well. My expectation is that a new powerplant would come mid model for this Camry. That seems to be how Toyota does things.

[rrocket]

Front end treatment reminds me of a Solara

[Oldsguy]

I'll take the new Malibu, please, Alex.

[Ice]

http://www.insideline.com/toyota/camry/2012/2012-toyota-camry-first-drive.html

Inside Line has a really well put together article on the new Camry. Sounds like it checks all the right boxes even if it isn't an enthusiast choice. The hybrid I suppose is the most impressive model of the bunch with 200hp and 40 mpg under the US test. Pretty impressive for a fairly large mid to full sized car.

I'm not disappointed with it... it seems to be good where it should be. But not outstanding which is what the Sonata and Optima were compared to their predecessors. Now the trick will be what Ford comes up with for the Fusion/Mondeo.

[rrocket]

.

I'm not disappointed with it... it seems to be good where it should be. But not outstanding which is what the Sonata and Optima were compared to their predecessors. Now the trick will be what Ford comes up with for the Fusion/Mondeo.

But I'm not sure how well the styling of the current Sonata and Optima will age....

[Ex-airbalancer]

.

I'm not disappointed with it... it seems to be good where it should be. But not outstanding which is what the Sonata and Optima were compared to their predecessors. Now the trick will be what Ford comes up with for the Fusion/Mondeo.

But I'm not sure how well the styling of the current Sonata and Optima will age....

 

[Jaeger]

Cars with bold styling are more likely to raise the question of how well they will age.  But I'm not sure that taking the approach of inroducing a car that looks dated already (new Civic, this Camry) is one that I warm to.

First drive impressions:

http://www.insideline.com/toyota/camry/2012/2012-toyota-camry-first-drive.html

Engines look to be carry-overs.  No more manual transmission (which will no doubt grieve the half-dozen Camry drivers that opted for one).  Rev-matching for the flappy paddles on the SE.

Jaeger

[Ice]

.

I'm not disappointed with it... it seems to be good where it should be. But not outstanding which is what the Sonata and Optima were compared to their predecessors. Now the trick will be what Ford comes up with for the Fusion/Mondeo.

But I'm not sure how well the styling of the current Sonata and Optima will age....

Definitely a valid point. I know Toyota gets panned constantly for their styling but they never do the dramatic or the out there. They stick with a core design and they incorporate some of what is trendy but only just a little. It's good and bad that way

I'm really warming up to the interior. I think it looks really slick.

[rrocket]

Toyota has redfined vanilla. 

And vanilla is the best selling flavor of ice cream....just like this will be the best selling car.

[CanuckS2K]

Toyota has redfined vanilla. 

And vanilla is the best selling flavor of ice cream....just like this will be the best selling car.

Not according to this website.  Sorry Ron, I actually wanted to see what the best selling ice cream was.   

http://www.countryliving.com/cooking/about-food/americas-best-selling-ice-creams-0709

[rrocket]

Toyota has redfined vanilla. 

And vanilla is the best selling flavor of ice cream....just like this will be the best selling car.

Not according to this website.  Sorry Ron, I actually wanted to see what the best selling ice cream was.   

http://www.countryliving.com/cooking/about-food/americas-best-selling-ice-creams-0709

Read the whole thing...it even says Vanilla is the best seller.....


Vanilla

Scoop for scoop, America prefers vanilla. At nearly every major ice-cream company — Edy's, Dreyer's, Häagen-Dazs, Turkey Hill, Blue Bunny, Friendly's, Carvel — this classic flavor sells more than any other.

Also:



1.   Vanilla     29.0%
2.   Chocolate  8.9
3.   Butter Pecan   5.3
4.   Strawberry   5.3
5.   Neapolitan   4.2
6.   Chocolate Chip   3.9
7.   French Vanilla   3.8
8.   Cookies 'n' Cream   3.6
9.   Fudge Ripple   2.6
10.   Praline   1.7

[CanuckS2K]

Ok Ok you got me....I just looked at the numbers 1-5 and didn't read further.  Reading comprehension is always key eh?   

[rrocket]

Ok Ok you got me....I just looked at the numbers 1-5 and didn't read further.  Reading comprehension is always key eh?   

It's not your fault...you were half asleep because this is the Camry thread....

[Mike]

Toyota has redfined vanilla. 

And vanilla is the best selling flavor of ice cream....just like this will be the best selling car.

I prefer French Vanilla....does that mean I need to buy a Avalon or an ES350? 

[EV Dan]

Vanilla can be a lot of fun on the track:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vngPjKrr6Wo
 

[Oldsguy]

I prefer French Vanilla....does that mean I need to buy a Avalon or an ES350? 

That would be a Renault.

[Sir Osis of Liver]