Tuesday, December 14, 2010

Toyota Camry, the best-selling car in America 2007

nice camry pic
 nice car pic

ncie camry car pic

The Toyota Camry, the best-selling car in America four years running and eight of the past nine years, was new for 2007. Designers and engineers tried to get a more stylish, athletic, modern image, while increasing performance for both standard and hybrid models — without sacrificing traditional Camry qualities, including a comfortable ride and low noise levels.

Gas mileage is quite good even without the hybrid: the four-cylinder CE model has city/highway fuel economy ratings of 24/34. The V6 cars have fuel economy ratings of 22 mpg city/31 mpg highway, while the Camry hybrid is rated at a rather nice (if not Prius-like) 40 mpg city/38 mpg highway.

The wheelbase is longer, and the track is wider, with the wheels pushed toward the extremes of each of the car’s four corners, to increase cornering capability without stiffening the shocks. The body structure was designed to absorb collision-impact forces. High-strength steel for B-pillar and rocker panel reinforcement manages body deformation in the event of a side collision. 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.
2008 Toyota Camry 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.

The chassis was made more rigid by connecting the cowl front to the upper suspension towers. Additionally, the Camry’s hood, fenders and their brackets, and cowl are designed to crumple and absorb impact energy.

Wheels for all four Camry grades were upgraded to a sixteen inch mininum; the SE gets aluminum 17-inch wheels with six spokes, optimized for brake-heat dissipation. Brake discs were enlarged for improved feel and stopping power. Up front, ventilated 11.65-inch discs are used, with solid 11.06-inch discs at the rear. A new brake pad provides a 10% higher coefficient of friction for increased stopping power. Finally, Toyota’s Brake Assist, an electronic function that senses an emergency stop and applies increased braking power once the driver touches the brake pedal, is standard.

Front suspension is via MacPherson struts. At the rear, a dual-link strut system helps provide an optimal balance between smooth ride and secure handling. To help improve the Camry’s handling and driver feel, all lower control arms were lengthened, all spring, shock-absorber and antiroll-bar values, and all suspension geometries, were rethought and recalibrated.

The revised chassis was lab-tested using specs simulating the road surfaces in every country in which Camry is sold. Then, to add real-world verification to their new design, engineers road-tested the new suspension design for more than 600,000 miles in more than a dozen countries.
2009 Toyota Camry Grades

The CE gets many standard features, including a tilt and telescopic steering wheel, a six-speaker 160-watt digital AM/FM/CD audio system with an auxiliary audio jack, 16-inch wheels, seven airbags, a vehicle immobilizer, and four-wheel disc brakes. The Camry LE adds a long list of features, including an in-key remote keyless entry and eight-way-adjustable power driver’s seat. A V6 engine with dual exhausts is also available.


As was the case in previous years, LE and XLE use basically the same chassis specs while the SE uses springs, antiroll bars, shocks and bushings with firmer, sportier values than those used in the other two grades. But for 2007, the SE is 0.4-inches (10mm) lower, and a V-shaped brace added between the trunk and cabin, with stabilizing braces added to the underbody, increase the body’s torsional rigidity. Underbody aerodynamics were also examined, to smooth the airflow under the car, and also to increase the speed of the airflow. Engineers also carefully adjusted the balance between front and rear downforce. The result is better stability at elevated speeds.

Features standard on the SE include sporty 17-inch aluminum wheels, its own distinct black, honeycomb-style grille, ground effects body enhancement, smoked tint halogen headlamps, unique sport-trimmed interior in dark charcoal or medium gray with a leather-wrapped, three-spoke steering wheel and amber-colored optitron gauges.

The XLE’s list of standard features includes an upgraded dual-zone automatic climate controlled system with steering-wheel controls, a premium 440-watt JBL audio system with Bluetooth™ technology for hands-free calling, wood-style trim, moonroof, rear reclining seats, fog lamps and 16-inch aluminum wheels. Four-cylinder models are equipped with standard special seat fabric designed to be gentle on the skin, while V6 models feature standard leather-trimmed seats.

Options available on select Camry grades (not all options are available on all Camry models!) include a tilt/slide moonroof, heated seats, voice-command DVD navigation system, leather-trimmed seating, rear spoiler, Vehicle Stability Control and a Smart Entry and Smart Start system with push-button start that allows drivers to lock, unlock, or start the car just by carrying the Smart Key on his/her person.

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