First look: New Toyota Camry revealed in the US

TOYOTA has played it typically safe with its seventh-generation Toyota Camry that was revealed overnight in the United States ahead of its global roll-out, including Australia where it is set to go on sale in November.

Near identical in most critical dimensions to its predecessor, the new mainstream mid-sizer has evolutionary design changes that are clearly aimed at maintaining the status quo in its major market, the United States’ conservative heartland where it is number one.

More details of the Australian version of the Camry are due to be announced by Toyota in Melbourne today, but expect it to be essentially the same as the North American version that gets an upgraded 133kW 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine that ultimately will be made in Australia for the local model built at Toyota’s Altona plant in Victoria.

The engine will provide a healthy performance boost over the current 117kW 2.4-litre unit on the Aussie Camry while also lifting fuel economy from the current combined rating of 8.8 litres per 100km to 8.4L/100km.

Left: Toyota Camry interior. Below: Camry hybrid.

Performance and economy will be enhanced by reduced bulk, with Toyota shaving about 70kg off the base weight of the American model, and even more – about 100kg – from the hybrid version that will be launched in Australia in the first half of 2012.

Weight reductions were mainly achieved by applying more high strength steel in critical areas of the body, as well as reducing the size of the fuel tank in line with fuel savings.

Toyota revealed that the hybrid powertrain is new, combining a newly designed Atkinson-cycle four-cylinder engine and re-engineered electric powertrain for a total 147kW of power – sufficient to propel the car to 100km in less than eight seconds and make it the performance leader of the range.

As well, the new Camry Hybrid can drive in all-electric mode for up to 2.4km if driven with a feather foot.

Sixteen-inch wheels are standard on all of the US models, along with intermittent wipers, air conditioning, cruise control, electric power steering, tilt-telescoping steering wheel, Bluetooth connectivity, power door locks, mirrors and windows, and AM/FM/CD player with six speakers and iPod connectivity.

Whereas the current Australian Camry has six airbags, the Camry revealed overnight has 10, as well as traction control, ESC, ABS with electronic brake force distribution and larger four-wheel disc brakes.

GoAuto will have more on the new Camry later today.