The Camry Grace, intended for the Japanese domestic market, was produced from 1996 to 2001. The car differed from the XV20 generation in the location of the steering wheel, the design of the body and interior, as well as elements of the power plant and transmission. In 1999, the model was modernized: changes affected the elements of the exterior trim of the body and bumpers.

General information about the Toyota Camry Grace car

Toyota concern in the 80-90s. of the last century produced Camry cars of various designs for the domestic and foreign markets. Models for Japan were distinguished by a reduced body width and the outline of external panels, but by 1998, the company's management decided to gradually globalize its products.

The domestic V40 model was discontinued, which was assembled in parallel with the Camry Gracia, built on the XV20 platform for foreign markets. Because of this, the Gracia prefix was removed for sedans, and in 2001, the assembly of station wagons was discontinued.

Car interior and exterior

The all-metal body of the car is equipped with plastic bumpers and headlights with streamlined outlines, rear lighting is located on the wings and trunk lid. On the side surface of the doors there are linings in body color that protect the metal from damage. The manufacturer offered a 5-seater sedan and station wagon with a lifting rear door, on the upper edge of which there was a plastic spoiler that reduced glass contamination. On station wagons, luggage bars were mounted on the roof of the body.

Natural materials and soft plastic were used in the interior of the car. A modification with improved finishing was supplied to customers under the designation Toyota Mark II Qualis (sedan and station wagon), some standard cars were produced under the Daihatsu Altis brand (sedan only).

The split front seats are equipped with manual adjustments (electric drives were offered on expensive versions).

The rear sofa has a separate backrest and cushion that can be folded down to carry long items.

Specifications

The Camry Gracia is a classic middle class sedan. Thanks to the wheelbase increased to 2670 mm, the cabin can accommodate 5 adult passengers. The minimum curb weight of the vehicle is 1361 kg, the total load capacity reaches 600 kg. The design of the rear side members allows the installation of a towing unit designed to work with trailers weighing up to 1500 kg (with a corresponding reduction in dynamic characteristics).

Engine capacity

The plant installed 2 types of gasoline engines on cars:

• in-line 4-cylinder 5S-FE with a volume of 2.2 liters and a power of 140 hp. With.;
• V-shaped 6-cylinder 2MZ-FE with a volume of 2.5 liters and a power of 200 hp. With.

The power units are located longitudinally, fuel is supplied by injectors, and the mixture composition is adjusted by an electronic feedback controller. The exhaust system of the engines is equipped with an exhaust gas neutralizer and oxygen concentration sensors. The engines are equipped with a liquid cooling system with an electric fan and thermostat; parts are lubricated by pump and splash (there is no separate oil system radiator).

Fuel consumption

Average fuel consumption depends on engine size and driving mode:

• a modification with a 2.2-liter engine consumes up to 13 liters of gasoline in the city and about 7 liters of fuel when driving on the highway at speeds up to 100 km/s\h;
• the version with a 3.0-liter unit burns from 12 to 16 liters of fuel in urban conditions (depending on air temperature), and at least 8 liters on the highway.

Fuel tank volume

The car is designed to use gasoline with an octane rating of 95 units or more. The fuel supply is refilled in a plastic tank with a capacity of 70 liters, which is fixed under the bottom of the body in a special niche. Fuel is supplied to the injectors under pressure by an electric pump. A sensor is installed in the tank, informing the driver about the remaining gasoline (with an emergency reserve lamp).

Driving performance of the car

The car is characterized by a smooth ride provided by telescopic hydraulic shock absorbers and coil springs with a nonlinear stiffness characteristic. The front hubs are mounted on a lever and a MacPherson strut with a rotating support; installation of a stabilizer bar is provided. The rear suspension consists of several levers that allow wheel drive.

To adjust the position of the rear tires, a camber lever with a threaded bushing is used; the suspension has a stabilizer.

Brake system

The brake system is hydraulic type with a vacuum booster located in the engine compartment. The drive is divided into 2 independent circuits; in the event of a fluid leak and failure of 1 route, braking is provided by the second while maintaining the high efficiency of the units. The front wheels are equipped with ventilated discs, the rear uses standard solid discs, and ABS is standard equipment.

Transmission

Only 4-speed automatic transmissions with winter mode support were offered for cars. Torque is transmitted to the front wheels, but some vehicles have a V-Flex Time all-wheel drive system. The transmission included a rear gearbox with a viscous coupling; power flowed only when the front drive wheels slipped. On sedans, the V-Flex Time system is found only with the 5S-FE engine; on station wagons, all-wheel drive was offered with engines of 140 and 200 hp. With.

Safety

The design of the supporting body includes deformable elements that absorb part of the energy in a frontal or back-to-back collision. There are metal bars inside the door frames that reduce the risk of injury to the driver and passengers in a side impact. Inside the body pillars and sills there is a high-strength steel liner that increases torsional rigidity. The windshield is made of triplex; the side and rear glazing does not create fragments that can injure the driver or passengers of the car.

Front airbags are standard, and force-limiting pyrotechnic driver and passenger seat belt tensioners are provided. Since mid-1998, the ABS unit has been supplemented with an emergency braking function; the electronics automatically increase the pressure in the circuits when the pedal is pressed sharply.

Some vehicles are equipped with a traction control system that distributes the flow of torque and corrects the engine operating mode.

Characteristics of Toyota Camry / Toyota Camry

More than twenty years ago, Toyota, one of the first Japanese automakers, decided to take the risky step of creating a cross-class car model. Now, for financial reasons, even such giants as Volkswagen or Chrysler are unlikely to dare to do this. And twenty years ago, few could afford this. Toyota could. So, in 1982, the Camry model appeared in the company’s production program.

First generation (1982-1986).

The first generation Camry was born in 1982. However, Camry was first mentioned back in 1980.

Celica 4 door Camry was the name of a rather bulky (length 4445 mm) four-door sedan, based on the platform of the famous Toyota coupe. The engines on the Celica Camry were very mediocre 1.6 and 1.8 liters, both with a lower camshaft. The 1.8-liter engine with a compression ratio of 8.6 developed a power of only 95 hp. Therefore, neither the advanced design for those times, nor the good option of the most expensive version already had power steering, electric windows and electric mirror adjustment did not contribute to the successful sales of this car. So she went into oblivion, leaving her name to the heiress.

So, in 1982 the first Toyota Camry appeared. From its ancestor Celica 4 door Camry, the new car inherited the general structure and style of the body. Large for those times, the three-volume compartment with flat panels and chopped edges was at the peak of popularity. Of course, as far as possible, it was modified; the shape of the false radiator grille, bumpers, front optics, and lights was changed. The body panels and rear wheel arches were also adjusted to make them smaller. But, interestingly, the Camry, compared to its progenitor, has added 45 mm in width and length and 5 mm in height. The dimensions of the new car were 4490 x 1690 x 1395. And most importantly, the base was increased by 10 mm (previously its length was 2500 mm). That is, Toyota designers, as best they could, made the interior space of the car larger.

An interesting detail: initially, the rear-view mirrors were located on the wings according to the Japanese fashion of those times, but later they were moved to their usual place. However, it should be noted that much more is visible in horned mirrors than in ordinary ones, and they disappeared solely due to changing fashion.

In terms of technical stuffing, Camry has gone far ahead of Celica. The base engine for the car was the 1.8-liter 1S series engine, the progenitor of a large series of engines still produced today. At different times, the power of this engine varied from 90 to 115 hp. (on 1S-ELU series). At that time, there was a massive transition from carburetor engines to injection engines, so the injection systems on the 1S were installed with different carburetors (1S and modifications), central injection (1S-I and modifications) and normal distributor injection (1S-E and modifications). This engine had at least one, but an overhead camshaft. A year later, the situation with the power supply changed somewhat; a two-liter two-shaft engine with a capacity of 120 hp appeared under the hood of the Camry. And a little later, lovers of economy were offered a two-liter turbodiesel with an output of 88 hp.

A five-speed manual was chosen as the base transmission, but a four-speed automatic, installed only with gasoline engines, was even more common. However, only Japanese and American drivers could taste all the delights of an automatic transmission. By the way, the versions that went to the United States sometimes differed in interior equipment from the domestic Japanese modifications. The standard includes power steering, electric windows and mirrors, and among the options is traction control, unique for those times. Some cars were equipped with air suspension. Market priorities are also evidenced by the fact that even then the Japanese changed the appearance of the car for picky Americans, making, for example, the bumpers slightly more massive. A five-door hatchback (which was essentially a liftback) was also supplied to the USA, which was considered a rarity in its homeland. Europe, on the other hand, was a secondary market for Toyota and cars were sent there on a residual basis: manual drives instead of electronics, manual transmissions instead of automatics, engines with a power of 90 and 107 hp. With the advent of the second generation Camry, the situation has not changed.

Second generation (1986-1990).

The second generation appeared in 1986 and was produced until 1990 in Japan and until mid-1991 in the rest of the world.

The dimensions of the car have remained virtually unchanged: 4520 x 1690 x 1395. The Camry has only become slightly longer. Other dimensions, including the wheelbase size, remained unchanged. Toyota designers and marketers correctly calculated that the volume of internal space for a comfortable pastime is quite enough. And it is true. The Camry of the late eighties can compete with the Corolla/Corona of the early nineties and even its later versions in terms of the convenience of the driver and passengers. Stylistically, the car has changed very significantly. Although the flat surfaces fashionable in the eighties remained, the corners were rounded, giving the car a more modern look.

But with the technical equipment in the first year of production, everything was not so good. At first, old units were installed on the cars. These engines, although they were modernized, no longer met the needs of consumers because the weight of the car increased by almost two hundred kilograms. So a year later, a new generation of more powerful and technically advanced engines appeared under the Camry hoods. The power range of the new units was already from 105 to 140 hp. 4S-Fi new 1.8-liter engine with central injection and 16 valves. Single-shaft engines were replaced by the now legendary two-liter sixteen-valve 3S-FE with a power of 136 hp. A 2C-T turbodiesel with a volume of 2 liters and a V-shaped six 2VZ-FE with a volume of 2.5 liters appeared, installed on the Camry Prominent luxury model, which was produced in sedan and hardtop bodies. For the first time, all-wheel drive appeared on Camry cars, which were produced in sedan and station wagon bodies.

Priorities regarding sales markets have not changed. New cars in all their versions received richer equipment. In cars supplied to the North American market, ABS appears in the brake drive. As an option, export Camrys even had manifolds installed that supplied air to the feet of passengers in the back seat! This does not occur even in the most modern cars.

Third generation (1990-2001). International.

Compared to the previous generation, the new Camry has significantly increased in size (4720 x 1770 x 1420) and radically changed its design. There was no trace left of the former flat forms; for the early nineties, this car looked very modern. Among the body features, one can note a huge trunk with a cutout to the rear bumper. There is nothing to say about the new station wagon. An indicator that characterizes the size of this station wagon is the rear door, equipped with two brushes! And another interesting detail: you can remove another seat from the trunk floor, facing the direction of travel. In this case, the passenger who occupies this seat will not experience any inconvenience.

The third generation Camry was produced in sedan, coupe and station wagon body styles. Moreover, sedans for the Land of the Rising Sun and Europe were produced in Japan, and sedans for the USA in Japan and the USA at the new plant in Kentucky TMMK (Toyota Motor Manufacturing Kentucky). Station wagons and coupes for the whole world (including Japan) were assembled only in the USA.

The third-generation models for the domestic market had two gasoline engines of 1.8 and 2.0 liters, which were mainly equipped with automatic transmissions, plus another charged two-liter engine, installed on the GT version and a 2.2-liter turbodiesel. Also, the third generation was equipped with new 5S-FE engines, a sixteen-valve four, with a volume of 2.2 liters and two three-liter V6 engines: 3VZ-FE and, later, 1MZ-FE. The budget 5S-FE is very economical, gasoline consumption in city mode is 9-10 liters, on the highway only 6-7, easy to maintain and quite fast acceleration to 100 km/h with a manual transmission in 9.7 seconds. With a V6 engine and a manual transmission (and an automatic transmission too), the Toyota Camry is like a small jet (0-62mph in 8.8 seconds). In addition, it is a very quiet engine with virtually no vibration. However, the fuel consumption on this engine is 12-15 liters. The front and rear suspensions of the car are independent. The brakes are disc, and the front ones are ventilated.

In 1998, cars were equipped with pre-tensioned seat belts, side airbags, and an immobilizer. The car windshield becomes thicker.

Since 1999, the Toyota Camry has been offered to customers in five variants: CE, LE, XLE, LE V6 and XLE V6. The cars are equipped with two front airbags and side airbags at the buyer's request, child safety locks and ABS. The base CE comes with a five-speed manual transmission, folding rear seats, a windshield defroster, a tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel and an AM/FM stereo. The LE adds air conditioning, cruise control, power windows and central locking. In addition to the above, the XLE package includes remote door opening, traction control, power front seats, a CD player, heated mirrors, variable-pause windshield wipers and alloy wheels.

Fourth generation (1994-1998). Japan only.

While the first Camry model series was being sold in the United States, in Japan Toyota had already presented the next generation of its hits. The cars, which have grown in size (4625 x 1695 x 1390) and are much more solid in design, have remained true to tradition: the Camry is a kind of budget version of a business sedan. All equipment on the machines remains the same as the previous generation. True, no source of information contains information about the GT version. It looks like it has ceased to exist. Thus, the developers put an end to the dynamic past of the cars and focused primarily on the image qualities of the models. The new cars turned out to be very solid, but they again occupied an intermediate niche in the market; it was no longer class D, but not yet class E. The new Camry already had someone to compete with: Mitsubishi had the Galant, Nissan Bluebird, Honda Accord with its numerous family. However, Toyota marketers were haunted by the full-fledged business segment, which had long been dominated by front-wheel drive, and the Mark / Chaser / Cresta clearly no longer fit into the requirements of customers. Therefore, it was decided to introduce a new, larger model with a well-promoted name to the market.

Fifth generation (2001).

The fifth generation Toyota Camry appeared in Japan in 2000. And the world premiere of the new car took place on September 11, 2001 at the Frankfurt Motor Show.

The new Camry has received a completely new design, the concept of which incorporates all the latest trends, harmoniously combined with the traditional sophistication of business-class cars. Narrow, expressive headlights, a chrome radiator, a cast bumper, smooth lines emphasizing the ideal shape of the car - all this creates the unique look of the new Toyota Camry. The appearance gives a feeling of strength, inspires respect and admiration for the impeccability of forms. The appearance of the car also speaks of its excellent aerodynamics, which means it reduces wind noise, improves acceleration and speed performance, while reducing fuel consumption. The aerodynamic drag coefficient is only 0.28.

The new 2.4-liter sixteen-valve engine with VVT-i system responds very sensitively to the driver’s wishes and driving style. It develops exactly the power that is needed at the moment, with minimal fuel consumption. The extended wheelbase and wide track provide an amazing sense of stability and a guarantee that the car will maintain its trajectory and hold the road perfectly. The new VVT-i (Variable Valve Timing) technology is the basis of Camry's powerful 2.4-liter gasoline engine. VVT-i adapts to the driver's driving style and engine requirements, optimizing the timing and timing of the intake valves. This allows you to maintain maximum efficiency, which delivers exactly the power that is needed at the moment, with minimal fuel consumption and exhaust emissions. A V-shaped twenty-four-valve 6-cylinder engine with a displacement of 3.0 liters provides maximum power with minimum effort. With a torque of 273 Nm at 4300 rpm and a power output of 137 kW/186 hp. at 5300 rpm it delivers 0-100 km/h in just 9.1 seconds and a top speed of 225 km/h. In addition, the new Camry is equipped with a four-speed Super ECT automatic transmission, which is electronically controlled for faster, smoother shifts while reducing fuel consumption.

The interior of the new Toyota has become more spacious. Thus, the car began to meet higher standards for the quality of materials used in the interior trim. The Camry 2.4L VVT-i features premium cloth upholstery throughout the cabin, with leather upholstery available as an option. And for vehicles with the 3.0L V6 engine, leather interior trim is standard. The feeling of exclusivity in the interior is created through the use of leather trim on the gearshift lever, chrome-plated interior door handles, as well as wood trim on the console and control panels. It's really comfortable and cozy inside the car. The interior is carefully thought out. These include comfortable seats, an automatic air conditioning system, electric windows, and excellent sound insulation. By the way, climate control is included as standard on all models. One of the innovations of the new Camry is providing the driver with all-round visibility. The windshield and side mirrors are covered with water-repellent material, the driver's side mirror with a wide viewing angle has a heating system, and the interior mirror is equipped with an automatic dimming system. A multifunction display is installed above the center console. It monitors the vehicle's operating parameters, collecting information from on-board electronic equipment. The display shows all the data necessary for the driver: time, air temperature, trip computer readings, including average and instantaneous fuel consumption, average speed and possible mileage with the remaining fuel.

The updated chassis is the basis for the new Camry's superior stability and handling. The longer wheelbase and wide track allow the wheels to be placed closer to the outer corners of the vehicle. This gives a feeling of stability and guarantees that the car will hold the road perfectly and maintain controllability. MacPherson strut front and rear suspensions provide crisp, immediate response when cornering. Power steering provides the driver with a feeling of confidence through the steering wheel. High steering sensitivity ensures precise vehicle control.

16-inch ventilated front disc brakes and 15-inch rear disc brakes provide effective braking. Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) with Electronic Wheel Force Distribution (EBD) helps the Camry maintain control under heavy braking or when braking on slippery surfaces by preventing the wheels from losing traction. EBD complements ABS by optimizing the distribution of braking force across the wheels. Working together, these systems prevent wheel locking and allow you to avoid obstacles during braking.

Brake Assist BA automatically increases the effectiveness of emergency braking if you brake quickly but do not press the pedal hard enough. This function is implemented by measuring the speed of movement and force on the brake pedals and, if necessary, subsequently increasing the brake pressure. Such assistance is barely noticeable, but irreplaceable, and the degree of its intensity depends on the driver’s action during braking. Vehicle Stability Control (VSC) regulates braking force and engine power to prevent wheelspin when turning on slippery roads or when turning the steering wheel suddenly.

Selective use of brakes on individual wheels prevents understeer and oversteer and helps the driver maintain control of the vehicle. Traction Control (TRC) reacts to wheel slip during acceleration or cornering by automatically reducing engine power and using braking force to eliminate slip and maintain traction. The new Camry has automatic windshield wipers. The automatic windshield wiper system has a rain sensor that actually activates the windshield wipers when water hits the windshield. It is also possible to regulate the intensity of the windshield wipers depending on weather conditions.

The Camry has a strong internal structure. The design, perfectly thought out in terms of safety and advanced technology, will provide a feeling of reliability and comprehensive care for the driver and passengers. Like all Toyota vehicles, the Camry has enhanced crash strength. Front and rear crumple zones, reinforced pillars and side impact bars reduce cabin deformation during a collision and also reduce the risk of injury to vehicle occupants. To protect the driver, there is additionally a retractable pedal assembly, which minimizes the likelihood of foot injuries, and an injury-proof energy-absorbing steering column, which works in conjunction with seat belts and airbags, reducing the risk of chest injury.

All car seats are equipped with three-point inertia-type seat belts, and the rear has anchors that meet international standards for ISO child seat belts. The front seat belts have pretensioners with force limiters that operate in conjunction with the front and side airbags to ensure complete safety for the occupant and front seat passenger. The car can be equipped with side curtain airbags, which increase head protection in a side impact.

In 2003, the best-selling car in the United States for the sixth year in a row was the Toyota Camry.

In 2006, the sixth generation Toyota Camry officially debuted at the Detroit Auto Show.

The length of the car remains the same, but the new Camry is 20 mm lower (1,470 mm) and 25 mm wider (1,820 mm) than its predecessor. The interior space was increased by stretching the wheelbase to 2,775 mm (plus 55 mm). It was possible to reduce the glazing area by raising the lower edge of the door glass. Oddly enough, these changes did not affect the view from the cabin at all, but in profile the Camry became heavier, faster and lost its transparency.

The interior of the car is solid and functional. Camry has everything that is most trivial for a car of this class - only in good materials and the famous quality from Toyota. The central panel, decorated with blue glass, takes on all possible functions and performs them with dignity and diligence. The instruments sparkle even brighter, have increased in volume, are equipped with larger symbols, and the arrows have become even longer for the driver’s convenience. All Camrys are equipped with a standard display showing outside temperature, driving range, average speed, average fuel consumption, and driving distance.

The steering wheel, adjustable for tilt and reach, is trimmed with Karelian birch, leather, and metal at the same time. On the left of the steering wheel is music control, and on the right is temperature control. To combat germs, dust and unpleasant odors, a plasma ionizer is provided that generates positive and negative ions.

The luggage compartment volume of 534 liters in expensive versions is reduced to 504, which makes it possible to adjust the backrest by 8 degrees. But the seats with non-adjustable backrests fold in a 60:40 ratio.

The 2.4 liter 4-cylinder petrol engine was modified by changing the cylinder head and exhaust system. The power of the power unit increased from 158 to 167 hp. s., the level of vibration and noise has decreased, fuel consumption has decreased (6.9 l/100 km on the highway and 9.8 l/100 km in the city).

New 3.5 liter V6 engine producing 277 hp. accelerates the car to hundreds in 7 seconds. In the maximum configuration, a six-speed gearbox is added to this engine. Toyota engineers managed to save 21% of parts in it compared to the previous five-speed. The new gearbox has reduced the car’s reaction to a sharp press of the gas by half - to 0.5 seconds.

All new Camrys are equipped with ABC, EBD, electronic brake force distribution and brake assist. Expensive versions are complemented by exchange rate stability systems and traction control. Finally, if you try to take a corner at too high a speed without taking your foot off the accelerator, the electronic system itself will throttle the engine and brake the necessary wheels.

The new product also boasts dual-zone climate control controlled from the steering wheel, and the 440-watt JBL audio system can exchange information via Bluetooth. The brake discs on the new Camry have been enlarged by an inch, following the transition to a larger disc radius from the R15 to the R16. In addition, new brake pads are used with a 10% increased friction coefficient. The electronic emergency braking system evaluates the speed at which the pedal is pressed and automatically develops maximum braking force.

Safety systems include seat belts with pretensioners and overload limiters. Two-stage front, side and curtain airbags provide protection along the entire length of the cabin. Camry is equipped with a safety steering column. Head protection is provided by energy-absorbing materials. The seats provide protection against whiplash injuries to the spine and head.

In 2011, Toyota presented motorists with a restyled Camry model. The new model is distinguished by interesting shapes, modern design, solidity and comfort, as well as the introduction of new technologies. The dimensions of the car are quite impressive: the car is 4825 mm long, 1825 mm wide, 1480 mm high, and the wheelbase is 2775 mm. The main differences from the 2008 model are updated headlights: both front and rear lights and fog lights. In addition to the design change, the taillights have become LED, which is in line with global trends. The design of the front part has become more respectable and expressive due to the modified radiator grille. The side mirrors are harmonized in color with the car body, equipped with turn signal repeaters for greater safety, and treated with a special hydrophilic coating that does not allow water to linger on the glass. They are also heated and foldable for greater convenience.

The cabin has even more comfort and space. Camry has some of the best sound insulation in its class and a unique set of multimedia equipment. In the vastness of Russia, the model is offered in Comfort trim levels (in two transmission options - manual and automatic), Elegance, Elegance + and Prestige. The interior in all trim levels is stylishly decorated with wood-effect inserts and equipped with an electrochromic rear-view mirror, which was created specifically to help the driver so that cars driving behind do not blind him with headlights. All trim levels have multi-zone climate control and an air filter with ionizer on board. All basic trims also have rain and light sensors. The new on-board computer will delight you with its versatility. The steering wheel is power-assisted and contains control buttons for the audio system, Bluetooth and air conditioning. For the convenience of forgetful drivers, the car is equipped with a buzzer reminding of forgotten keys in the ignition and a warning system for headlights not turned off. The richest equipment will delight you with a steering wheel and gear shift lever with wood inserts, and a smart Smart Entry & Push Start system.

The car is presented with a new 2.5-liter four-cylinder petrol engine producing 181 hp. and an improved 3.5-liter petrol six-cylinder V-shaped engine with a power of 277 hp. The engines are paired with a 6-speed automatic transmission.

For the safety of the driver and passengers, all trim levels have ABS with electronic EBD and BA (emergency brake assist). But only cars starting with Elegance + are equipped with the VCS and TRC stability control systems - traction control. But all modifications are equipped with an additional brake light, disc brakes on all wheels and front seats equipped with a special system to prevent neck injuries. The Camry comes standard with front-seat airbags, while higher-priced trims also include side airbags and driver's leg airbags.

From 2011 to 2014, the Japanese made a number of minor improvements and updates: a basic version with a two-liter engine appeared, configurations were revised, several options were added, and at the same time the 277-horsepower gasoline V6 was derated to the “tax” 249 horsepower.

On August 26, 2014, as part of MIAS, the premiere of the European version of the updated Toyota Camry sedan of the 2015 model year took place. It is noteworthy that the restyled version of the Camry 2015 for North America was shown back in April 2014. The new product sports a more aggressive appearance, has a new base engine and a noticeably improved interior.

Key changes in the appearance of the sedan occurred in its front part - the car received a narrowed radiator grille, neatly combined with fresh optics, which acquired LED sections, a completely new front bumper with a wide air intake and small round foglights. All this made it possible to make the Camry 2015 look more sporty.

The body profile has remained virtually unchanged - a long hood and a solid stern, a flat roofline with a powerful rear pillar, large and convenient doors for entry to the first and second rows with a subtle window sill line rising to the rear of the body, large radii of the wheel arches. New details include elegant rear-view mirrors with LED turn signal repeaters, and the original and stylish design of R17 alloy wheels. The rear of the updated Toyota Camry sedan has acquired a new bumper with smooth lines and transitions, the lampshades of the side lighting equipment have slightly changed their shape and acquired LED filling.

The changes made not only gave the exterior more aggression, but also improved the aerodynamics of the car, while the dimensions remained virtually unchanged: sedan length - 4850 mm (+25 mm), width - 1825 mm, height - 1480 mm, wheelbase - 2775 mm, road clearance (clearance) – 160 mm.

The developers have worked no less extensively on the interior of the updated sedan. The interior has changed for the better. Instead of a brutal four-spoke steering wheel, there is a neat three-spoke one, the edging of the gear lever was made of darker plastic, and the shade of the wood inserts was changed. The instrument panel has also become more modern, in which there are still 2 dials for the tachometer and speedometer with scales for the coolant temperature and fuel level indicators inscribed in them. And between them appeared a 4.2-inch on-board computer display. The climate control unit has also been updated - the buttons have become larger, the display backlight has changed. Round temperature selector knobs are a thing of the past. The center console has acquired a more formal look thanks to the presence of a new multimedia system with a touch screen.

Basic versions of the Camry are content with the Toyota Touch 2 system without navigation (6.1-inch diagonal). Top configurations received a seven-inch display. The manufacturer has significantly expanded the list of optional equipment; in particular, a windshield with functions for heating the resting zone of the wiper blades or the entire surface is now available. In top-end equipment options, the sedan received position memory for seats, mirrors and steering column, heated rear seats, blind spot monitoring systems and automatic switching of lights from high to low, as well as wireless charging for a mobile phone.

Already in the database, the car has an impressive list of electronic assistants, including ABS, EBD, BAS, ASR and ESP systems. In more expensive trim levels, the sedan is additionally equipped with a blind spot monitoring system and an assistant when leaving a parking lot in reverse.

We also worked to improve the sound insulation of the cabin. The Japanese added insulation to the front doors and updated the floor covering.

The 2015 Toyota Camry sedan gets a new base engine that's more fuel efficient. The place of the 148-horsepower unit was taken by a 4-cylinder in-line aspirated engine with a displacement of 2.0 liters, combined fuel injection and a new mechanism for adjusting valve timing, thanks to which the engine can operate both in the Otto cycle (main mode) and in the economical Atkinson cycle with later closing of the intake valves (at low loads). The maximum power of the base unit is 150 hp, and its peak torque is reached at 4600 rpm and is equal to 199 Nm. The junior engine is coupled with a 6-speed automatic transmission. From zero to hundreds, this modification accelerates in 10.4 seconds, the maximum speed reaches 210 km/h, and the average fuel consumption in the combined cycle has decreased from 8.3 to 7.2 l/100 km. The other two engines are a 2.5-liter four with 181 hp. and the 249-horsepower 3.5-liter V6 remained unchanged. All three engines fully comply with the Euro-4 environmental standard and run on AI-95 gasoline.

Toyota Camry 2015 is based on a front-wheel drive platform with a front independent suspension based on McPherson struts and a rear independent multi-link suspension. During the restyling, the suspension was significantly reconfigured, with additional preparation for Russian roads, which should increase its reliability and at the same time improve comfort in the cabin. The electric power steering has also been reconfigured, making it much easier to drive the updated sedan. The front axle wheels are still equipped with ventilated disc brakes. The rear wheels are equipped with simple disc brakes. The diameter of the brake discs is 296 mm at the front and 281 mm at the rear.

In the basic “Standard” configuration, the 2015 Toyota Camry has halogen optics and LED running lights, fog lights, a light sensor, 6 airbags, 2-zone climate control, fabric interior, full power accessories, electrically adjustable and heated side mirrors, adjustable according to front row seat height, heated front seats, height and reach adjustable steering column, parking sensors (front and rear), immobilizer, central locking with remote control, as well as an audio system with 6 speakers and a 6.1-inch touch screen.

Starting with the Classic trim level, the sedan is offered with leather upholstery, an eight-way power-adjustable driver's seat, lumbar support and a four-way power-adjustable passenger seat. In general, for Russia, the 2015 model year Toyota Camry will be offered in 9 trim levels: “Standard”, “Standard Plus”, “Classic”, “Comfort”, “Elegance”, “Elegance Plus”, “Elegance Drive”, “Prestige” and “ Lux."

The restyled version of the Camry 2015 is assembled at the Toyota plant in the Shushary industrial zone near St. Petersburg.

Equipment Toyota Camry Gracia

The standard equipment of Camry Gracia cars included a natural velor interior. The factory provided several color options. On expensive versions, genuine leather trim was offered, and linings imitating polished wood were provided on the instrument panel and door trims. A radio with a display and a cassette player was used on basic versions; on some cars, a multimedia center with a laser disc player was used (speakers were installed at the bottom of the doors).

All doors had electric window drives, remote adjustment and heated rear-view mirrors were provided. On request, a sunroof with electrical position adjustment was used. In addition to manual air conditioning, a climate control system with a liquid crystal information display was used. The steering column was manually adjustable, central locking and fog lights were standard equipment. The basic version came with stamped wheels with a diameter of 14″; upon request, cast wheels with a diameter of 15″ were installed.

Advantages and disadvantages

Main advantages:

• simple design of engine and transmission units;
• high reliability and maintainability;
• low noise level when driving;
• rich configurations;
• air conditioning as standard.

Disadvantages of the car:

• long runs;
• right-hand drive;
• insufficient ground clearance;
• paintwork defects;
• corrosion of body elements;
• increased fuel consumption.

Camry body

The paintwork of the body of the Toyota Camry VI, like the iron, is of high quality. Chip areas and bare areas are not prone to corrosion. True, the wiper arms quickly lose their attractiveness, swelling after forty thousand kilometers traveled, that is, after about a couple of years of operation. Similar problems occur with the paintwork on wheels. In pre-restyling models, cracks may appear at the bottom of the front bumper, resulting from minor collisions.

Reviews from car owners

Dmitry, 28 years old, Irkutsk

In mid-2021, I purchased a Camry Gracia with a 6-cylinder engine. After the purchase, the injectors and throttle valve needed to be cleaned, and the front wheel drives were replaced (due to torn covers). It is necessary to install a new windshield and headlights (the transparent elements are covered with a network of scratches formed over 23 years of operation). Gasoline consumption in the city reaches 16 liters in winter, in summer it is possible to keep within 12 liters. On the highway, the car moves steadily up to a speed of 150 km/h; at a calm pace, the car burns up to 8 liters of fuel per 100 km.

Oleg, 41 years old, Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky

I was the owner of a Camry Gracia station wagon, which I bought at an auction in Japan in 2007. After completing customs documents, I carried out maintenance and corrected defects in the body, painting several elements. The car was used for 10 years, the mileage during ownership was more than 140 thousand km. I changed the levers and rubber joints in the suspension several times, and installed new air conditioning pipes. At the time of sale in 2021, the body had small areas of surface corrosion where stones had been hit.

Offered units

The engines of the sixth Camry are highly reliable, as they are equipped with a chain drive with a service life of about 300 thousand kilometers. Therefore, the 2.4-liter engine overheats quite rarely. The “sore spot” of the Toyota Camry VI is considered to be the drive belt tensioners, which “die” at the hundredth thousand kilometers, giving themselves away with “clicks”.

3.5-liter versions of engines operating in tandem with an automatic transmission “eat up” about 16 liters of fuel in the city, and also half as much on the highway. Their 2.4-liter counterparts are content with 14 liters in the city and 8 liters outside.