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Toyota Stages World Premier of All-New 2007 Camry and Camry Hybrid at 2006
North American International Auto Show
The Toyota Camry, the best-selling car in America four years running and
eight of the past nine years, is completely new for 2007 as Toyota engineers and
designers follow a strategy that refuses to take continued success for granted.
Toyota set out to redefine the new Camry. To accomplish this, Toyota chose to
expand the very definition of Camry and in the process create a new benchmark
for sedans. Designers rethought every aspect of the Camry, from its chassis to
its body, interior, accessories and drivetrain. The result is a world-class
sedan that not only redefines global standards for comfort, performance and
intelligent design, but also is available, for the first time, with Toyota's
Hybrid Synergy Drive.
"With the new 2007 Camry, Toyota once again raised the bar with the family
sedan," said Don Esmond, senior vice president, automotive operations, Toyota
Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc. "Camry's reputation as the gold standard was developed
over more than 20 years of refining this excellent package and this new Camry
continues that reputation."
As designers and engineers refined their goals, they focused on trading what
some owners felt was a conservative image for a more stylish, athletic, modern
image. At the same time, they sought new standards of performance for both
standard and hybrid models.
The challenge was to accomplish a thorough redesign without sacrificing
traditional Camry qualities, including roomy interior, comfortable ride, low
noise levels, and class-leading value. Toyota designers accomplished those goals
by rethinking every aspect of the Camry, with special attention paid to
improving driving dynamics, comfort, low noise and
As interested as drivers will be in Camry’s enhanced performance, refinement,
value and style, they’ll also be interested in its fuel-economy numbers. The
standard four-cylinder CE model has EPA-estimated city/highway fuel economy
ratings of 24/34. Camrys equipped with V6 engines have EPA-estimated fuel
economy ratings of 22 mpg city/31 mpg highway, while the Camry hybrid has fuel
economy ratings of 40 mpg city/38 mpg highway.
Exterior
An all-new exterior design provides the 2007 Camry with a visual impact that
signals a departure from the upright style of its predecessor. This new Camry
shape is athletic and modern, with a long, high-visibility cabin set on a
horizontal underbody with strong, rounded planes and elongated structures. The
wheelbase now is longer than before, and track is wider, with the wheels pushed
toward the extremes of each of the car's four corners.
Under the flowing lines of this sheetmetal is a body structure designed to
absorb collision-impact forces and help minimize impact deformation to the
passenger cabin. High-strength steel is used for B-pillar and rocker panel
reinforcement to help manage overall body deformation in the event of a side
collision.
Inside the passenger cabin, even the seat frames are designed to receive and
help absorb side collision loads and a cross member in the center of the floor
is used for the same reason.
Chassis
While designers optimized the Camry's visual image, they also paid attention to
generating a sense of excitement in the driving experience without sacrificing
ride quality. To do that, they increased wheelbase (109.3 in., up from 107.1
in.) but maintained the same overall length, with a shortened rear overhang.
Even with this lengthened wheelbase, engineers delivered a reduced turning
radius.
Engines and Transmissions
The 2AZ-FE engine, standard across the Camry grade lineup, is based on the
2.4-liter four-cylinder engine from last year, but is substantially upgraded.
This redesign employs optimized intake and exhaust systems, as well as
strategies that reduce internal friction and enhance engine-block/crankcase
rigidity. The result is improved power output with exceptional fuel economy and
reduced noise and vibration levels.
This engine is based on bore/stroke dimensions of 3.48 x 3.78 inches (88.5 x
96mm) for a displacement of 2,362 cc, or 144.1 ci, and develops 158 SAE
horsepower. During their revision of the existing engine, engineers boosted the
compression ratio slightly to 9.8:1, altered the cam profile and paid particular
attention to reducing friction through strategies such as reducing the tension
of the piston rings while increasing their tensile strength. Finally, they
reduced piston weight, optimized the balance shaft, improved sound insulation
performance of the engine cover and improved the engine mounts.
With this engine, Camry buyers have the choice of either five-speed manual or
electronically operated five-speed automatic transmission.
For those looking for more power, the new 2GR-FE engine _Ea 24-valve, DOHC 3.5L
V6 - is available in the LE, SE and XLE. This engine is designed to deliver up
to 40 percent better acceleration over the 2006 model year Camry 3.3-liter V6.
The V6 is based on bore/stroke measurements of 3.70 x 3.27 inches (94.0 x 83.0
mm) for a displacement of 210.9 ci, or 3,459cc, and uses a compression ratio of
10.8:1 to generate 268 SAE horsepower.
The dual camshafts, which are chain-driven, employ Dual Variable Valve Timing
with intelligence (Dual VVT-i) for optimal cam timing _Eand therefore maximum
power production - at all RPM levels.
Engineers improved airflow through every element of the engine's intake tract.
This includes improving air-cleaner shapes, intake ducts and the intake manifold
and cylinder head intake ports. In addition, valve openings were enlarged and
exhaust pressure loss was reduced from the exhaust manifold to the muffler.
Engineers modified the shape of the Camry's taper-squish combustion chambers to
make maximum use of that air. And they provided exhaust manifolds that
incorporate catalytic converters for greater efficiency.
Harnessing this engine's output is an all-new six-speed automatic transmission
that uses 21 percent fewer parts than the conventional five-speed automatic
transmission it replaces. This new transmission, which can be shifted
sequentially, relies upon a newly developed gear train that uses a Ravigneaux-type
compound planetary gear for reduced size, weight and friction.
This new transmission also uses a quick-response, low-friction clutch pack for
enhanced fuel economy; an ultra-flat, low-inertia torque converter for high
transmission efficiency; a set of high-response, low-slip clutch packs and new
electronic and hydraulic control systems that incorporate an intelligent shift
control that learns driver's driving style and selects gears based on that
style.
As a result of this development, transmission kickdown response was cut to 0.5
seconds, more than twice as fast as the response of the transmission this new
one replaces.
Audio
The standard audio system in the 2007 Camry incorporates an AM/FM/six-disc
in-dash CD changer with six speakers and uses a four-channel digital amplifier
that produces 160 watts of output. Additionally, all audio systems are capable
for reading CDs with MP3 files.
Safety
All 2007 Camrys come equipped with an Antilock Brake System (ABS), Electronic
Brake-force Distribution (EBD), and Brake Assist. Vehicle Stability Control (VSC)
with traction control, an electronic system that controls engine output and
brake application on individual wheels to help control loss of traction in
turns, is available as an option.
Dual-stage advanced SRS airbags are standard on all Camry models. Standard
seat-mounted side airbags and side curtain airbags help provide coverage for the
length of the passenger compartment. A driver's knee airbag also is standard.
Camry Hybrid
Toyota extends its hybrid leadership by making its exclusive Hybrid Synergy
Drive available in the 2007 Camry. Hybrid Synergy Drive consists of dual gas and
electric power sources that are complementary and produce a combined 192
horsepower. This system varies power between gas and electric, or both, as
needed.
The first half of this system consists of the 2.4L four-cylinder 2AZ-FXE
Atkinson-cycle engine, which generates 147 hp and is coupled to a continuously
variable transmission (CVT). The second half of the Hybrid Synergy Drive
equation consists of a small, specially developed electric drive motor that
produces 45 horsepower, an ultra-small inverter with a specially designed
compact battery and a transaxle to provide the economy and seamless performance
hybrid drivers seek.
In addition to its groundbreaking Hybrid Synergy Drive, Camry Hybrid comes with
a long list of standard features. These include a tire-pressure monitoring
system, halogen headlamps with automatic on/off, a premium JBL audio system with
an auxiliary audio jack and Bluetooth® technology, cruise control, a tilt and
telescopic steering wheel, dual-zone automatic climate control heating and air
conditioning, an eight-way-adjustable power driver's seat, a 60/40 split
fold-down rear seat, 16-inch aluminum wheels, heated outside rear-view mirrors
and much more.
Additionally, the Camry Hybrid is equipped with an "ECO" button that limits
energy consumption by the HVAC system and under certain conditions can help
improve fuel economy.
Because there are situations in daily driving in which the gas engine in a
Toyota hybrid is completely shut down, air-conditioning and power-steering
systems are driven electrically, rather than by the engine. This ensures these
features will continue to operate, whatever the status of the Camry Hybrid's
drive system.
Finally, special attention was paid to the vehicle underbody with the use of
wheel spats and underbelly pans resulting in a low coefficient of aerodynamic
drag (Cd) of 0.27, which helps increase fuel economy.
Warranty
The 2007 Camry and Camry Hybrid are covered by Toyota's 36-month/36,000-mile
basic new-vehicle warranty that applies to all components other than normal wear
and maintenance items. Additional 60-month warranties cover the powertrain for
60,000 miles and corrosion perforation with no mileage limitation.
The Camry Hybrid also has an eight-year/100,000 mile warranty that covers the
hybrid–related components, including the HV battery, battery control module,
hybrid control module, and inverter with converter.
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