Toyota Camry 2001 test drive - 2004 sedan

Thirty -two pleasures

In the European flagship of Toyota, the Japanese ideas about comfort, reliability and accessibility are connected.
 
The royal bedchamber
You can enjoy the car differently. And I, in general, understand those who live on the principle of gas to failure and change the tires of their 6-cylinder compartment twice a month. I am quite clear to me and the enthusiasm of the great economists, who, like a real fisherman, tells me how so much diesel fuel has drove so many diesel fuel. For some, the attack of violent enthusiasm is caused by the fact that a wife with a mother -in -law, a brother with a matchmaker, a dog with a barbecue, got into a car, and even a place for a bag of potatoes remained. But these songs are not for me. From the car I am thirsty for completely different impressions.
 
The four, who was walking in front of me, finally stopped stubborn, accepted to the right, and I gently trampled the accelerator. Only trees and houses spoke about increased speed, flashed outside the window faster. Oh yes, the speedometer shooter, still sad at the stage, cheered up and dashingly went to the right. Behind the juicy bass ribbons of the radio, a muffled rustle of tires was completely lost. I specifically turned off the music, but even then no extraneous sound could penetrate into the salon of the new Toyota-Kamri, like the rumble of the engine at high speeds or howl of wind around the body racks. Here, as in the royal bedchamber, any noise undesirable for the augustic is destroyed without pity. But the most pleasant thing is in order to become the owner of such a bedroom, it is not necessary to be rich, like a cut.
 
 
Among other things, Camrei has a good visibility. True, external mirrors could be more
 
The elegant lever of the gearbox is covered with genuine leather
   
    

What is how much?
In fact, Kamri is supplied to Russia in only two trim levels, but extremely rich. The cheapest option with a 2.4-liter engine and a mechanical gearbox will cost you $ 27,900. The above amount does not include leather upholstery, cruise control, and an electric drive of seats. All other benefits of civilization are in place: climate control, full electric package, heating seats, rain sensor, automatic turnover of headlights, car radio with CD, ABS and emergency braking system. To equip a 2.4-liter version with a 4-speed automatic will cost $ 1300. If you stop at a three -liter Camry worth $ 36,900, then automatically deprive yourself of the problems of choosing additional options. The Camry top version includes, among other things, a leather interior and a system of dynamic movement stabilization.
You can order your Toyota in four color solutions - silver, gold, green and black. Unfortunately, the supply of the sports version of the SE with a more rigid suspension is not planned.
 
American favorite
This is in close Europe, where almost every city with a population of over 10 thousand people suffers from parking problems, Class E car cannot become a bestseller. On the endless expanses of America from Miami beaches to the Bering Strait, the situation is completely different. And there, for many years in a row, lists of the best-selling cars have been headed by the business class sedans of the Oldsmobile-Katlas-Suupim, Honda-Akord, Ford Thus. The last four years, Toyota-Kamri was listed as the king of Mountain. Europeans, accustomed to a sophisticated appearance, nuances of controllability, prestige of the brand and, of course, all as one supporting domestic manufacturer, did not understand or did not want to understand such success. After all, Kamri never differed in a stunning appearance, nor super -powerful engines, or a complicated suspension that provides the machine with fantastic controllability. Yankees in this regard are much more pragmatic - they are enough for them to be spacious, reliable, inexpensive. Apparently, Kamri combines these simple competitors better than all competitors, which allows her to stay at the top of consumer demand. By the way, Kamri is very successful among American hijackers. For a year now, it is this Toyota model that has been listed in the list of the most criminal machines. What can you do - popularity always has the opposite side.
 
The new Camry, whose European sales began on November 1, promises to become at least no less popular. After all, the car increased in size, received a completely new body, an even more spacious interior, a magnificent engine and at the same time costs cheaper.
 
   
Now the Camry salon cannot be accused of lack of style. The only dissonance is white lighting and green - radio and climate control
      
 
In the huge trunk of Toyota there is a place for large bottles of mineral water
 
The back row of seats is comfortable and spacious without any reservations
 
 
Disguised Lexus
Europeans are not so far from the truth, calling the appearance of Camrei from the scene with gray mediocrity. In fact, the previous generation was not distinguished by special stylistic delights. The newcomer seemed to be more poriginally, but at the same time it is still possible to identify it only on the emblem.
 
In the guise of Kamri, it is much easier to find elements borrowed from other cars than their own branded ones. Mentally cover the hood and trunk of the car. What will happen? Mercedes-Benz E-class-no more or less. The pens, the shape of the doors and the back of the body unequivocally indicate this particular. But to say that the Japanese did not come up with anything new in the appearance of their Euro -Flagman would be unfair. Pay attention to the original ones - I do not remember these in any modern car - substetricians at the bottom of the body. They begin at the front door and rise at the rear wheel arch. Cute. Although in general it should be recognized-the closest opponent of Kamri both in the States and in Russia Nissan-Maxima-QX looks, so to speak, more detailed. But again, this is from the field of conversation for beer - I like it, I don't like it. In addition, one should not forget that it is Kamri that is the basis for the prestigious and designed specifically for the American market of Lexus-SES300. Do you have the courage to call Lexus itself with gray mediocrity?
 
 
Under the ceiling next to the lighting plafon, a compulsory ocher settled
 
In both anti -aligned visors, large mirror size with adjustable backlighting
  
 
Belocamous mansions
If not white -stone, then mansions are definitely. Maybe Europeans, in order to penetrate with the whole charm of Kamri, should at least once sit in the cabin of this car? The internal space is simply huge. It is almost impossible to reach the right door from the driver's seat! The range of adjustments of the seats is one word, bar. And at the back - at least throw your foot on your foot. The three of us can be quite comfortable, unless there is not enough mini-bar with glasses. At the same time, Japanese designers managed to cure the ailment of the previous Camreid - the ceiling pressing on the rear passengers. Which, however, is not surprising, because the car became 7 centimeters higher. With all these benefits, the trunk, as they say, endlessly, without a edge - a little less than 600 liters.
 
And yet - it seems that an excellent master in the interiors finally got a job in Toyota. Previous Camry, to put it mildly, did not differ - it has to be repeated, but inside it really was in the full sense of the word with gray mediocrity. Now - heaven and earth! All governing bodies, including secondary ones, with a music center or climate control, for example, moved from the central console to a dashboard. It not only looks original, but also convenient - the switches are located at the optimal distance from the driver. True, the width of the salon is so great that sometimes you still have to stretch, for example, in order to increase the temperature in the cabin. But past large - with a two -ruble coin - you can’t miss the buttons of the radio with all the desire.
 
The dashboard is also independent. In two huge semicircles of the speedometer and tachometer, the Japanese entered small indicators of the temperature of the coolant and the remainder of the fuel. Witchcraft - now the look does not need to rush along the edges of the tidy in search of the necessary information.
 
In a word, the only thing that can be found in Kamri is the texture of finishing materials. They are of high quality, there is no dispute, and are connected to each other by five with a plus, but certainly not chic. Muar plastic tries to pass itself out of a natural tree - alas, without much success.
 
 
 
When more and not needed
The basic Kamri of the previous generation was equipped with a 4-cylinder 2.2-liter engine. The novelty received a 2.4 -liter engine. However, the main thing here is not additional 200 cubes. The new motor is equipped with a proprietary Toyota VVT-I system. A reasonable system for changing the phases of gas distribution is actually a very convenient thing. Without climbing into technical jungle, you can only notice that it increases the torque at low speeds and increases power at the top.
 
The 2.4-liter Kamri engine develops 152 liters. with. By today's standards, it would seem, not so much. However, in my opinion, no more is needed. Believe the word: this Toyota goes as confidently as if at least 30 more for her hood. Take the wheels on the asphalt - a pair of trifles. However, you can travel literally at a idle speed, and this does not require a jewelry game with a clutch and gas. After 2000 rpm, the engine is already very cheerful to the supply of fuel, and for three with a half -tin, picking up. Want a good advice? If for you the car is not a way of self-expression, but a means of transportation, then you can not pay extra for a three-liter V-shaped six. The power of the 2.4-liter motor is enough for the eyes.
 
Plus, the moves of the lever of the box, which, perhaps, is not quite usually for a solid car, rather short and very clear. A little stretched gear rates allow you to minimize the number of switches. But even if you twist the engine for all the money, passengers will be able to guess only on your tense face. Silence is just amazing. However, Kamri has another quality that amazes even more magnificent sound insulation - smoothness.
 
Walking in the clouds
Have you dreamed of walking in the clouds in childhood? What about traveling on them? Kamri suspension simply fights with his absolute immunity to the quality of the road surface. No kidding. It doesn’t matter that under the wheels - an even, asphalt, stacked by cracks and pits, an uneven primer, uneven primer, broken by the wheels of tractors - Toyota is happy to fight for the comfort of your fifth point. Even if at full speed to catch a serious pothole, nothing terrible will happen. The suspension is very energy -intensive, and everything is in order with its working moves. As a result, it seems that it is simply impossible to make McConson's racks work before breakdown.
 
The amazing softness of the course is combined with not American resistance at high speed. At least up to 160 km/h Kamri and does not think to scour along the road, forcing the driver to adjust the course. Unless the body is important when braking. Kamri does not disappoint in terms of controllability. In that case, it is true that if you are aware: Toyota is not a BMW, not Peugeot and Alfa Romeo. And therefore
 
 
Unfinished headlight washers can easily become a victim of street vandals
  
 
I will ask without pranks!
As with any modern front -wheel drive car, it is easy to find a common language even to a newcomer with Camrei. Toyota honestly admits the owner that she can do well and what is not very good. We have already said about confident holding straight at high speed. Add here a light steering that is slightly heavier with an increase in speed, and very good brakes with a large stroke of the pedal, which allows to adjust the stop up to a millimeter.
 
But the racing track, which is quite understandable, is not the element of the Japanese king. Do not think bad - Kamri is being controlled very reliably. And this is expressed not only in the correct front -wheel drive reactions - the demolition of the front axle when exceeding the speed in the bend and restore the trajectory during gas discharge. It is pleasant that Toyota, just before the transition of the stability threshold, honestly warns the driver about this with a noticeable roll and a squeak of high -profile rubber. Like, the owner, be a god of God, you cannot demand from the car all thirty -three pleasures at once.
 
And in fact, it is impossible - all the more so, and the first thirty -two are enough.

Second term
There is no doubt that in the States the main bestseller of recent years will be re -elected for the next term. There is nothing to think here - the new Camry has become more and cheaper. With the same degree of probability, it can be assumed that Europeans, at least for the most part, are unlikely to accept the flagship of Toyota to their hearts - too large. But in Russia, options are possible. At first glance, Kamri is the most economically profitable business class car in our country-only outdated Opel-Omega is cheaper. But unequivocally, we will not risk the honorary title of the leader of sales, holding the great sacrament of the Russian soul in his mind.
 
Toyota Camry 2.4
general information
 
Body
5-seater sedan
 
Equipped mass, kg
1470
 
Complete mass, kg
1935
 
Length x width x height, mm
4815 x 1795 x 1500
 
Base, mm
2720
 
Front/back, mm track
1545/1535
 
Maximum speed, km/h
210
 
Acceleration 0-100 km/h, with
9.4
 
Fuel consumption, l/100 km
6.9/11.7
 
Fuel supply, l
70 (AI-95)
 
 
Engine
 
 
Location
Front transversely
 
Design
 

4-cylinder, in order, in order
with two camshafts in the head of the block,
with distributed fuel injection
 
The number of valves per cylinder
4
 
Cylinder diameter X piston stroke, mm
88.5 x 96
 
Working volume, SMZ
2362
 
Compression ratio
9.6: 1
 
Power, L.S. (kW) at rpm
149 (112) / 5600
 
Torque, kgsm (nm) at rpm
22.2 (218)/3800
 
 
Chassis
 
 
Transmission
front -wheel drive
 
Transmission
5-speed mechanical
 
Suspension:
 

Independent, at the racks of McExeson,
the reptile stabilizer
 
Steering
REMENCH with hydraulic power steering
 
Brakes
  
 
front
Disk ventilated
 
behind
disk
 
The size of the tires
205/65 R15
 
 
BEHIND
A spacious attractive interior, excellent smoothness, which seems to be a more powerful engine, excellent sound insulation, competitive price
VS
Deprived of branded features
 
Mikhail Medvedev, photo Maxim Goncharov
 

 
 

A source: Magazine "Limousine" [08/01]