New Camry: Them's the brakes

A NEW locally-developed braking system is one of the key changes in Toyota's drive to raise the local content of the new 380N Camry, which goes on sale in September.

The local content level of the current 660T four-cylinder Camry hovers around 55 per cent and the V6 about 48 per cent. Toyota Australia is keen to raise the four to about 65 per cent and the V6 to 55 per cent.

The eventual target is the Holden Commodore which, according to the NAFTA measurement system, has local content of 68 per cent.

What's the importance of local content? Control of cost primarily, as there is no messy foreign exchange variable to worry about.

But Toyota is claiming the shift from Japanese brakes to the 380N's local system developed with PBR has also resulted in performance advances to tie in with its aim to make the new Camry a more sporting vehicle.

"We've localised the full brake system," said Toyota Australia product engineer Brett Evans. "Callipers, rotors, park brake everything. It's been the most hectic two years of my life.

"The last model where we had local brakes was 15 or 20 years ago, so it's a big step for Toyota Australia." Working with Toyota in Japan, Mr Evans and his team aimed to improve brake performance, pedal life and brake pad life with the new system.

They claim to have cut braking distances by a substantial two metres from 100km/h, to around 44 metres.

In terms of components, the system consists of:* Brake pads. They are a unique material and are 20 per cent larger than the units used on the current Camry. Toyota claims pad life is more than doubled from the current model, as well as reduced black dust, increased durability and reduced harshness and shudder* Single piston callipers. They are developed using some components shared with competitor vehicles, but the cast-iron front and aluminium rear housing are unique to Toyota* Rotors. Compared to the current Camry, they are the same diameter on the front and at the rear up by one inch. Testing paid particular focus to withstanding extreme temperature and temperature change* PBR "Banksia" single shoe parking brake. This is the first time this sytem has been installed on a Toyota and is one of the first applications on a front-wheel drive vehicleThe Bosch ABS system is carried over and there is no sign of electronic aids like brakeforce distribution or emergency brake assist..

Seats

THE seats of the current Camry have been constantly criticised for their lack of support. It is a criticism Toyota has taken to heart, with an all-new standard seat to be introduced with the 380N.

Toyota Australia also gained approval to develop a unique sports seat for use in the Australian-built Camry only.

While the standard seat looks like the international version, its characteristics have been revised for local conditions. Comfort has been addressed with a changed shape, hardness and density, the cushion has a revised profile to improve holding characteristics and the upper back support revised to improve pressure distribution.

The hip point has also been raised by 40mm with the aim of improving visibility, easing entry and exit, increasing leg room and providing "a more natural seating position".

The sports seat has higher bolsters on both the base and back which uses padding about 50 per cent harder than the seat centres, while both front seat passengers get adjustable lumbar support - a feature restricted to the driver on the normal seat.

Seat-mounted side airbags are also available for all sport and normal Camry models for the first time. Dual frontal airbags will be standard across the range.

In the rear changes include swapping sides for the 60/40 split-fold a lock strap release for the seat back replaces the button slimline L-shaped headrests and a comfort guide to move the lap-sash seatbelts away from smaller passengers' necks.

Two levels of rear seat will be offered, a version with a separate headrest with an armrest and cupholder in all bar the entry model, which gets an integrated headrest.

At launch there is no plan to match the Holden Commodore and new Barra Falcon in having powered seat height adjustment. It may be introduced when a facelift is due.

Headlights

WHILE the styling of the new Camry's one-piece multi-pocket headlight is identical to overseas Camrys, local development has boosted performance to suit Australian conditions.

Working with Hella, Toyota Australia has improved evenness of spread to 15m on low beam and increased penetration to 218m on high beam for country road driving.

The performance improvement, which outstrips overseas variants of the Camry, was achieved by enlarging the size of the reflectors and deepening the pockets within which they sit.

Two version of the headlight will be offered, the standard version with a chrome bezel while sports variants will have a "black-out" finish for a more aggressive look.

New technology for the Australian Camry headlight includes multi-reflectors - which reflect the light from the bulb rather than a lens cut pattern - and a polycarbonate clear lens.

Electronics

ENHANCED electronics means the 380N Camry gets a group of new features including integrated keyless entry with increased rolling code security illuminated entry and alarm and key operated remote boot entry.

The Camry will also be boosted by a multi-function display with entry level models getting a clock and three-memory speed alert. Higher grades get those two features plus distance to empty, distance to destination, instantaneous fuel economy, average fuel economy, fuel used and average speed.

Audio systems have been completely redone with the adoption of new Fujitsi Ten technology. Four units are available:* Entry level is a four-speaker CD and AM/FM tuner* Mid-grade is a six-speaker 3-in-1 unit comprising CD, AM/FM tuner and cassette player* High grade is a six-speaker system which adds a six-CD changer into the head unit* Optional for all levels is DVD-based satellite navigation, twinned with the six-CD changer, which is mounted in the bootThe Camry will also shift to a glass antenna from a retractable item, a move mirrored by Ford with the forthcoming Barra Falcon.

For more on the new Camry, go to more stories published in Future Models dealing with the chassis, suspension and Toyota's plans to position it as a more sporting model.