Toyota Camry 2001 test drive - 2004 sedan

Invoice

Appearing in 1980, this model became a bestseller - more than seven million cars were sold. Four generations loved her for reliability and comfort. Time will tell if they will love the new Toyota Camry.
A sharp fall in the world (Russia does not count) demand for business class cars in 1990-2000 led to the fact that last year only 128 thousand cars of this class were sold. But some ten years ago the figure reached 566 thousand copies. And Toyota Camry alone covered 3 percent of world sales of classmates. Now the company's marketers believe that the situation is being improved and now is the time to offer potential buyers a larger car at a smaller price.
 
 
Postulates adjustment. Fifth generation Camry is built on a completely new platform, which is manifested primarily in appearance. It turned out to be expressive, balanced, whole and executed dignity. Not without a share not that aggression, but rather consciousness of one’s own power, confidence in it. However, someone resembles someone. Representatives of the company themselves admit that when developing the design of the new Camry, Toyota stylistic solutions embodied in luxury models were used. Read - Lexus. Hence the features appeared, due to which the car looks more solid and more expensive than its classmates, not to mention the previous version.
The matter is not limited to aesthetics. Due to the shape and size of the bumpers, the calculated configuration of all surfaces -from the side mirrors to the edge of the trunk cover -and the minimum gaps between the body elements were the creators of Camry was able to maximize the aerodynamic noises and achieve a record -low aerodynamic resistance coefficient for this class (SC) 0.28. This is even better than the Lexus GS430 (0.29).
The location of the planets. The new Camry is available in two versions, with a 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine and a 3-liter V-shaped six. The first option can be equipped with a 5-speed mechanical gearbox or a 4-speed automatic with a shutdown of an increase in gear-overdrive. The version with the six is \u200b\u200bavailable only in combination with automatic transmission.
Unlike European manufacturers, Japanese do not indulge continental consumers with a wide range of completion. For Camry in Russia, only two standard options are possible. True, his bar is raised very high. The most solid is the version with a 3-liter six. Along with an indispensable set for this class, a set of dynamic VSC stabilization system, antiprop-based Traction Control, an EBD brake distribution system, and emergency reinforcement of BAS braking systems are included in the standard package. . Add here six more airbags, including side curtains for front and rear passengers - it seems to be everything. In addition, the mirrors have heating, as well as a special water -repellent coating and are still folded through an electric drive. And the intra -axial mirror is electrochromatic, selfless. External lighting has a fashionable automatic switching mode with a lack of light, when entering the tunnel, for example, and the wipers are equipped with a rain sensor. Salon finish - skin with elements of a solid imitation of wood.
The version with a 4-cylinder engine is distinguished only by the absence of VSC and Traction Control systems, cruise control and electric drive adjustments. Shoes also differ: instead of rubber 215/60 R16, tires of 205/65 R15 will stand on a simple version.
The new Camry platform has an increased wheelbase by 50 mm, which is why the length of the car increased by 15 mm. And due to the dome -shaped roof shape, the car grew by 70 mm. The internal volume increased by 6.8 percent. Translated into a simple language, this means that now on the back sofa on the site of the boss, a passenger of large dimensions feels almost as free as in the representative of the representative class. The practicality of the car is emphasized by a huge trunk (587 l), as well as folding in a ratio of 1/3: 2/3 of the back of the rear seat.
Carmic debt. For the first field dating, we got a version with a 3-liter engine and automatic transmission. To date, Toyota, apparently, has remained the only automaker who did not affect the passion for all kinds of thrones and 5-speed assault rifles. What's this? Conservatism or subtle calculation? Most likely, both. The company's specialists believe that the traditional 4-speed automatic transmission corresponds to the best engine characteristics, it is enough to supply the electronic control unit for the adaptation program to the driving style. We believe that the main role in this is played by a priority orientation to the American market.
Our trip to the new Camry along the roads of the south of France was short, but it allowed some observations. The car has a very high level of comfort and ease of control for its class. He has excellent smoothness, a comfortable suspension and a powerful elastic engine, the initial torque of which is 230 nm at 1000 rpm, and at 2500 revolutions it reaches 270 nm. We also note soft and accurate gear shifts, the ability of automatic transmission to quickly adapt to driving style and brake the engine on the descent, as well as accurate and informative brakes and steering.
However, at the same time, some oddities appeared in the behavior of the car. There were sometimes lack of sharpness in the borders of numerous turns on mountain serpentines. In a steep turn at speed, the car at first sought to continue the straightforward movement, and then at some point suddenly made a sharp dude in the right direction. The fault of this is Americanized suspension settings. Maybe it should be so: it does not fit a serious businessman to fuss in front of the client. However, the inexplicably large radius of the turn led to the fact that in the narrow city streets, some turns had to be held from the second call. Well, the car did not fit into the streets of the old Nitsa, no matter how we tried. Apparently, there is still what to work on the suspension engineers.
In general, we can say that the new Camry put forward in her market segment a truly new business plan, under which competitors will soon have to adapt one way or another. And in the near future we will definitely force them to cross their swords on the Russian field.
 
Text Andrey Timofeev, photo of the author and Toyota
Model/Modification Toyota Camry 3.0 V6
The country-producing Japan
Sedan body
Number of doors/places 4/5
ENGINE
Basin type with multi -point electronic injection
The location in front is transversely
Working volume (cubic cub) 2995
Number/location of cylinders 6/V-shaped
Power, kW (L.S.) at about./Min. 137 (186) at 5300
Max. torque (Nm at about./min.) 273 at 4300
Gas distribution system/number of valves DOHC/24
TRANSMISSION
Front drive
Automatic gearbox 4-speed
SUSPENSION
Anterior independent type Mcphereson, reptile stabilizer
The rear independent two -leaf, spring -loaded racks, reptile stabilizer
STEERING
Type gear rack with an integral type
Min. The diameter of the turn (m) 11.2
Brakes
Front/ rear circular ventilated/ disk continuous
ABS electronic 4-channel with EBD system
Dimensions/volumes/weight
Length/width/height (mm) 4815/1795/1500
Wheel base (mm) 2720
Tire size 215/60 r16
Alloy wheels, 6, 5JJX16
The volume of the fuel tank (L) 70
Mass, equipped/full 1500-1570/2015
Dynamic characteristics
Maximum speed (km/h) 225
Acceleration to 100 km/h (sec.) 9.1
Economy
Fuel consumption (l/100 km):
city/mixed cycle/highway 15.7/8.3/11.0
The recommended price in Moscow is $ 36.9 thousand.

 

Source: "Autopilot"