Toyota Camry is one of the best seller in the US. In June 2011 Toyota Camry lost its position to Chevrolet Cruze. But Toyota is all set for launching Camry’s latest version by this fall. Company recently released a teaser video in which Toyota CEO Akio Toyoda narrated various features that may come in 2012 Camry. According to Mr.Toyoda, the 2012 Camry “will provide technologically advanced features, a contemporary design inside and out, improved performance and refined ride and handling.” “The best Camry ever,” he further added.
While releasing a high profile teaser video Toyota might have never anticipated that their new kid will make such a low profile debut via a spy video. The Youtube video has been removed by the user. But don’t worry we have some stills from the video. The 2012 Camry will not bring any thing revolutionary in the styling department. 2012 Toyota Camry will be continuation of current design language with some design cues from Lexus brand. Toyota may continue using same engine line up in 2012 Camry as well. Other mechanical elements are same as that of outgoing model.
There will be three variants of Camry on offer, Camry XLE, Camry SE and Camry Hybrid. So do you think the new Toyota Camry can regain it’s lost glory ..?
Stay tuned to Wheelosphere for more details.
Image Source:- Vince Burlapp Cars
No way it could be beaten by Cruze. Camry has a charm of its own and is a trump card for Toyota. Lets see, what it will do off in here…
Posted by Thefundu | July 11, 2011, 9:33 amThe buyer in this market, while liking an attractive/stylish car, also has a tendency to be loyal to the 2 mainstay primary competitors of the segment. Those are the Camry and Accord. The influx of the Sonata and Optima have swayed that some (reliable transport that is competitive, for the first time), but many people in this segment are going to go on reliable transportation from a brand they know and trust. The Camry (and Accord) didn’t get to that arena by lies and deception… it’s the real deal. Whether that image was tarnished enough (i.e. the sudden acceleration lawsuits)… I truly have my doubts. I own an ’07 Scion tC and I consider it one of the best cars I’ve ever owned. If I was personally in the market for a larger 4-door, the Camry SE would be there at the top of the list (then again, so would the ’11 Sonata which my family owns [Limited]; I’d prefer an SE though).
Currently, the 2011 Camry is a bit long in the tooth just as the 2011 Accord is. In fact, while the Accord has the standard and optional features over the Camry (i.e. Bluetooth, Sat/Nav, etc.) the Camry, IMHO, is actually more modern inside/out from sitting in an XLE recently while helping the family shop for their new “larger” car. On content, the current Camry isn’t competitive with the Sonata and Optima in terms of features and functionality, much less on pricing where the Koreans have always stuck it to the rest of the segment (without seemingly skimping on the goods much).
To me, it’s not a matter of Toyota creating an organic jelly bean with flame surfacing to beat out the Sonata/Optima/2013 Malibu, etc… but merely getting the Camry competitive in terms of features and updated to looking reasonably attractive. From the spy photos? Aesthetically it’s an improvement to the current car, it looks fresh if not as radical as the Hyundai. IMHO, it actually looks about as adventurous as the Optima, sans the Optima’s more angled headlight treatment… which isn’t a bad thing as it’s one of the sharpest cars in the segment today IMHO. Don’t expect Toyota to bust out an FR-S/FT-86 sedan as the next Camry. That isn’t what the segment buyers and loyalists would want or feel comfortable with.
What really matters is pricing, standard features, optional features, and whether the Camry can match on performance with it’s generally segment-leading demeanor (even Motor Trend picked it over the Sonata when the Sonata first came out and that’s the outgoing model… might be a bit much IMHO but I can see Toyota getting back to competitive without a radical, earth-shattering change). The current SE with the 4-cyl is undertaxed but adequate in terms of power (I am still shocked they dropped the V6 as an option on the SE in the U.S.). A sporting buyer might be “okay” with the current power, but when they can get an Optima SX or Sonata SE with the 2.0L Turbo for similar coin, many will consider or weigh the option.
If they’re a hardcore loyalist Camry-owner, they probably won’t shift if the features are there even if the price is a bit higher… but if they’re one that will shop, the Sonata and Optima could eat some of Toyota’s lunch if the pricing isn’t there. My guess is that there’ll be a turbo model offered in the Camry at some point soon… if not as a replacement for the V6, at least as an option to augment it. The mileage benefits and power benefits combined make it tough not to jump on that wagon.
It appears that Chevrolet will do much the same with the Malibu, likely tapping into the Buick/Opel parts bin for a hot rodded 2013 Malibu (SS? Current Motor Trend seems inclined to think so) to go alongside the mileage leader in the ECO. My bet is… Toyota will have worked to answer the Malibu as well as the Sonata/Optima with this new car pretty quickly. Yeah it’s not the most adventurous car in the segment, but considering it’s Toyota… I don’t know that I expected anything less here. It does look more modern and visually attractive and IMHO, that’s more than good enough for the typical traditional mid-size buyer if the price is right.
Posted by SPONGEZILLA | August 4, 2011, 3:54 pm