Toyota Unveils 2012-MY Camry and Camry Hybrid

HOLLYWOOD, CA — Today, Toyota unveiled the six model grades of the MY-2012 Camry and Camry Hybrid, including the entry-level L, value-driven LE, premium XLE, and sporty SE grades. The XLE and SE are available either with a four-cylinder or six-cylinder engine. The Camry Hybrid is offered in the LE and XLE grades. The Camry has been America’s best-selling car for the last nine years. Toyota has sold a total of 15-million Camrys worldwide since the model was introduced in 1983.

You can see our photo gallery of the new Camry here.

Powertrains and Performance

The 2.5L four-cylinder engine offers 178hp and 170 lb.-ft. of peak torque for an EPA-estimated 25 mpg city/35 mpg highway. The DOHC 3.5L V6 — available for the SE and XLE grades — delivers 268hp and 248 lb.-ft. of torque at 4,700 rpm. The V-6 is designed to deliver an EPA-estimated 21 mpg city/30 mpg highway.

The Camry Hybrid’s revised Hybrid Synergy Drive powertrain, including a new 2.5L four-cylinder engine, can deliver an EPA-estimated 43 mpg city/39 mpg highway/41 mpg combined, yielding, according to the company, a more than 30-percent boost in fuel economy in the EPA city and combined driving cycles, compared to the previous generation, and a 650-mile range. This is due, in part to the new Hybrid powertrain, lighter vehicle weight, and optimized aerodynamics. The new hybrid system produces a combined 200hp.

The Hybrid’s EV Drive mode allows the driver to operate the car on the electric motor alone for up to 1.6 miles at lower speeds — below 25 mph. The EV indicator illuminates when the vehicle is being propelled solely by the electric motor. As in the previous hybrid model, ECO mode optimizes throttle response and air conditioning output to prioritize maximum fuel economy. A Hybrid-exclusive instrument cluster with Hybrid System indicator and fuel consumption indicator helps the driver to operate the vehicle as economically as possible. Instantaneous fuel economy is shown with LEDs around the outside of the average fuel economy gauge. The car’s multi-information display graphically shows fuel economy in real time and can also show energy flow, and cruising range information. The Hybrid employs regenerative braking and a hill-start assist control helps prevent the vehicle from rolling backward when starting off on an incline when the brake pedal is released.

Exterior and Interior

The 2012 Camry has new exterior and interior features. Among the new exterior features are standard fog lights on the XLE and SE grades, additional exterior chrome on the LE and XLE grades, and a lower body-design and fine-mesh upper grille section on the SE. The 2012 Camry will also be available in four new colors.

The new interior has more space with the same exterior dimensions as the Camry’s previous generation. This includes a new dashboard design, modified seat locations, redesigned seats and “lean” door, pillar, and headliner trim. The repositioned driver’s seat and standard tilt/telescoping steering wheel increases comfort and visibility. In the backseat, passengers will have an additional 1.8 inches of knee room.

The Camry has four seat covering material options: fabric in the LE and XLE; fabric with SofTex in the SE, standard leather trim on the XLE V6, optional in the XLE four-cylinder, and Ultrasuede with leather available for the SE and XLE Hybrid. Heated seats are standard on the XLE V6 and are available for the SE, XLE four-cylinder, and Hybrid with variable temperature control. All vehicle grades feature a standard 60/40 split folding rear seatback to expand cargo capacity.

Reflecting the rest of today’s world, the MY-2012 Camry includes several state-of-the-art electronics and connectivity features. A Bluetooth wireless connection for compatible hands-free phone calls is standard, improved by an available automatic phone book transfer function. The standard audio system on the LE, XLE, and SE has a 6.1-inch screen and six speakers. The screen also displays the Camry’s energy monitor and fuel consumption data, and functions as the monitor for the available integrated back-up camera (available for the SE and XLE only) and the Display Audio System.

The audio system is equipped with a new seven-inch HDD Navigation system with Entune and JBL. The system offers a split-screen feature that allows for simultaneously displaying navigation and audio information.

In addition, the Entune can support mobile apps such as live weather, traffic, and fuel information (including location and price).

The MY-2012 Camry will boast reduced noise throughout the entire cabin. This was done by adding noise-suppressing insulation to muffle wind and road noise to make in-cabin conversation more comfortable and productive.

The Camry has improved handling and ride features. This includes a stronger, yet lighter, body, a stiffened cowl section, and better suspension. In addition, the MY-2012 Camry will be the first to feature Toyota’s latest electric power steering (EPS) control system, which regulates power-assist response on vehicle speed and steering-input rate.

All Camry grades features a newly developed all-season tire designed for an optimal balance of fuel economy, handling, quietness, ride comfort, and braking performance. The LE grade features standard 16-inch wheels; the SE comes standard with five-spoke 17-inch alloy wheels and the V6 SE offers 18-inch wheels. The latter feature is a twist-spoke design with 225/45R18 all-season tires. Camry SE models will also include tires that have more grip. The Camry XLE comes standard with 17-inch alloy wheels featuring a 10-spoke design.

Safety Features

Emphasizing its tradition of safety, the MY-2012 Camry will include 10 standard airbags: dual-stage advanced SRS front airbags, front and rear seat-mounted side airbags, side curtain airbags, and a driver's and front passenger’s knee airbag.

Like all Toyota models, the Camry will feature Toyota’s Star Safety System standard, which includes Vehicle Stability Control (VSC), Traction Control (TRAC), Anti-lock Braking System (ABS), Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD), and Brake Assist. It also features the standard Smart Stop Technology brake-override system. An electronic tire pressure monitoring system is standard equipment.

An additional safety system — Safety Connect — is also available. This system can access a call center with a live operator who can dispatch police and emergency vehicles. The system combines automatic collision notification and a stolen vehicle locator feature.

The Blind Spot Monitor uses sub-millimeter wave radar to detect vehicles in the driver’s blind spots. When the system detects a vehicle in the adjacent lane, it alerts the driver using indicators on the side mirrors. If the turn signal is on when there is a vehicle in the driver’s blind spot, the indicator on the corresponding mirror will flash.

In vehicles equipped with one of the display audio systems and backup camera, when the vehicle is shifted into “reverse,” the audio display will show a rearview camera image along with an overlay of positioning lines representing the parking space and distance to obstacles.