c
compose new post
j
next post/next comment
k
previous post/previous comment
r
reply
e
edit
o
show/hide comments
t
go to top
esc
cancel

Updates from May, 2012

  • Japanese automaker Toyota has retaken the crown as the world’s largest automaker.

    Initial sales reports for 2012 so far suggest that the Japanese brand, which was badly hit by natural disasters last year, is now outselling American rival General Motors.

    Toyota was the world’s largest automaker between 2008 and 2010, but lost its crown to GM after the Japanese earthquake and then flooding in Thailand seriously disrupted its production.

    Related

    Now the brand is back on top, having sold 2.49-million between January and March, compared to 2.28-million by GM.

    Volkswagen, the world’s No. 3, sold 2.16-million, Bloomberg calculated.

    Many observers consider Toyota to be in a better position now than it has been in years — with global gas prices still high, demand for its fuel-efficient vehicles is soaring, especially for the Prius.
    Demand for the model in the United States alone is outpacing the prediction of 220,000 vehicles sold in 2012, Toyota said, with the Prius comfortably selling more in April than competitors such as the Nissan Leaf and the Chevrolet Volt combined.

    Last week it unveiled its first all-electric vehicle, the RAV4 EV, at an electric vehicle show in Los Angeles.

    The electrified SUV is a reprise of one of the world’s first electric vehicles, the original RAV4 electric, with several new enhancements. It’s been developed with the help of leading electric automaker Tesla, and now features a 160 km range and performance equivalent to the gas-powered RAV4.


    8:00 am on May 16, 2012
     

  • DETROIT — Auto suppliers’ relations with Toyota and Honda have soured to the worst level in 11 years, but U.S. automakers have won more trust, a survey showed.

    The two largest Japanese automakers managed to retain the top two slots, respectively, in an annual survey of suppliers about their rapport with automakers that make cars and trucks in North America.

    But their scores fell to the lowest point since the study introduced its “working relations” index in 2002. General Motors and Chrysler continued to occupy the bottom two slots, but they achieved their highest marks yet.

    Related

    The narrowing gap suggests that the six major automakers in the United States are “converging toward mediocrity,” said John Henke, president of Planning Perspectives Inc., which conducted the survey released on Monday.

    Salespeople from 439 major suppliers were polled in late March and early April. There were 564 respondents.

    About 70% of the parts in a car are provided by suppliers, which make everything from seats to screws to sensors. Having good relationships with the supply base can help automakers build better vehicles more efficiently.

    Ford and Nissan held their spots at No. 3 and No. 4, respectively.

    From 2004 to 2008, Toyota and Honda earned high marks from suppliers because of their willingness to work with companies to lower costs. During that period, the three U.S. automakers adopted a more combative approach, which cost them in the rankings.

    But during the recession, Toyota and Honda offered buyouts for employees, leaving them with a less-experienced workforce, Henke said. The supply crunch triggered by the tsunami in Japan last year exacerbated the problem.

    “The buyers, the folks who have the day-to-day responsibilities, just aren’t doing the right thing,” he said. “We’ve had suppliers tell us in a couple cases that they don’t know the Toyota Way. That’s creating some problems for them.”

    At the same time, Chrysler and GM have adopted a more collaborative approach. The gap between top-rated Toyota and Chrysler, which was ranked last, shrank to 48 points in 2012 from 106 points in 2011.

    Automakers with scores above 350 are considered to have a “good” or “very good” relationships with the supply base — much like an “A” grade. A mark below 250 signals “poor” or “very poor” relations. Between those two points is “adequate.”

    Suppliers are more willing to offer discounts and invest in new technology for their favoured customers. They give fewer concessions to automakers that are intractable and unfair negotiators or make last-minute engineering changes that can hurt a supplier’s bottom line.

    For the fourth straight year, not one of the six automakers in the survey showcased a good relationship with the supply sector. It is possible for Toyota and Honda to recover their lost ground within four years, Henke said.

    It can be difficult to restore trust with suppliers, but not impossible. Ford, which ranked last in 2007, jumped to the third spot in 2010 at a time when the entire company was restructuring. It has been in the No. 3 spot ever since.

    GM and Chrysler, the two U.S. automakers that took federal bailouts three years ago, have languished at the bottom of the list since 2008, but have both made strides.

    Under former purchasing chief Dan Knott, Chrysler made the biggest improvement of any other automaker on the list in the last three years. In 2010, 71% of suppliers described their relations with Chrysler as poor. By 2012, that shrank to 46%, on par with Ford.

    Henke projected that GM and Chrysler could continue to improve their rankings over the next three to four years, but only if the Detroit automakers do not slip back into their old ways as some suppliers have noted.

    “A couple of them said, ‘We helped them out when things were bad; they seem to have forgotten that,’” Henke said.

    © Thomson Reuters 2012


    11:06 am on May 14, 2012
     

  • New York is a vibrant city that is alive even as the rest of the world sleeps. The auto show is similar in many respects. While it may not have quite the cachet of, say, the Detroit or Frankfurt shows, there is always something to tease and a lot to please. Highlights ranged from the Terrafugia Transition, a street-legal airplane, to the latest Dodge Viper, shown above.

    Related

    Here’s a look at what I saw:

    Graeme Fletcher for National Post

    Acura RLX Concept is a stylish sedan that features lightweight construction and the next generation of the company’s Super Handling All-Wheel-Drive system (SH-AWD).

    Acura RLX Concept
    This is a concept in name only if Acura’s past auto show teases are anything to go by. The stylish sedan features lightweight construction and the next generation of the company’s Super Handling All-Wheel-Drive system (SH-AWD). It uses a hybrid powertrain to drive all four wheels while providing the power of a V8 and the economy of a much smaller engine. The front wheels are powered by 3.5-litre direct-injected V6 that’s teamed with seven-speed twin-clutch transmission.

    The rear wheels are driven by a pair of electric motors that have the ability to torque vector — powering up the motor driving the outside wheel while reducing the power to the inside wheel helps turn the car into the corner. The gasoline/electric combination puts a net system output of 370 horsepower at the driver’s disposal.

    There will also be a front-drive version of the RLX that uses active rear-wheel steering to improve the  car’s handling characteristics. The production version will be launched in September 2013.

    Dodge SRT Viper
    With the dulcet tones only a V10 can produce, the 2013 SRT Viper wheeled on stage to a sea of dropped jaws. This fifth-generation model is simply stunning, painted in a brilliant red that has a lustre so deep it looks as though one can dip a finger into the paint. The mid-engine 8.4L V10 puts an estimated 640 hp and 600 pound-feet of torque to the rear wheels through a six-speed manual transmission. The new Viper rides on a reworked version of the previous car’s al dente chassis — torsional rigidity increases by a whopping 50%. A new driver-selectable two-mode suspension system with both street and track settings is available, while the braking is provided by enormous Brembo brakes. In a move for the better, the Viper now earns electronic stability control to go along with the anti-lock brakes.

    Inside, the materials and layout take a big step forward. A new seven-inch customizable instrument cluster display gives the driver a wide range of custom and personal options including an additional digital speedo-meter that sits just below the tachometer. And, if that engine’s sweet siren is not enough to entertain, the Viper will be offered with an 18-speaker harman/kardon sound system.

    Graeme Fletcher for National Post

    The 2013 Lexus ES arrives wearing the company’s new face, the sedan looking like a smaller version of the recently released GS.

    Lexus ES
    The 2013 Lexus ES arrives wearing the company’s new face, the sedan looking like a smaller version of the recently released GS. It also earns a totally new powertrain, LED daytime running lights and a roomier interior. The wheelbase is up 45 millimetres, while the overall length grows by 25 mm. As for power, the ES 350 stands pat with its 3.5L V6 and six-speed automatic transmission.

    The bigger news is the addition of a hybrid model — the ES 300h. It features a 2.5L four-cylinder Atkinson-cycle engine, electric motors and a lithium ion battery, essentially the same drivetrain employed in the Camry Hybrid. As is the norm at Lexus, the ES offers four driving modes — Normal, Sport, Eco and EV. The last one allows the ES 300h to run for short distances relying on battery power alone. Inside, the cabin takes a big step forward and now includes the second-generation Lexus Remote Touch controller, which gives the driver fast and easy access to all key phone, media and navigation functions.

    Graeme Fletcher for National Post

    Arriving in September, the long-awaited 2013 Porsche Cayenne turbodiesel will be priced at $64,500, which is, sadly, almost $10,000 more than it will retail for in the United States.

    Porsche Cayenne
    Porsche revealed the long-awaited 2013 Cayenne turbodiesel. Sharing a derivative of the 3.0L V6 employed in the Audi Q7, it produces 240 hp and a phenomenal 406 lb-ft of torque. This is enough to propel the heavy 2,000-kilogram Cayenne to 100 kilometres in a claimed 7.6 seconds — which is about the same as the base Cayenne — but with considerably better fuel economy. Arriving in September, it will be priced at $64,500, which is, sadly, almost $10,000 more than it will retail for in the United States.


    Graeme Fletcher for National Post

    The 2013 Toyota Avalon is one of 19 new or updated products to be released under the Toyota/Lexus/Scion banner this year.

    Toyota Avalon
    The 2013 Toyota Avalon is one of 19 new or updated products to be released under the Toyota/Lexus/Scion banner this year. The new mid-sized sedan is the first from the company to be designed, engineered and built entirely in North America. The Avalon’s design embody’s Toyota’s new kinetic design language. It really is a different direction for the ultra-conservative brand. The flowing lines and sleek greenhouse are fronted by an expressive grille. At the rear there are LED tail lights, discreet spoiler and twin tailpipes. The Avalon will be offered with 17- or 18-inch wheels.

    The cabin picks upon the expressive theme, featuring soft materials, three full colour screens and all the mod-cons including paddle shiters, 10 air bags, heated/cooled front seats and heated rear seats. It also features adaptive cruise control and blind-spot monitoring with cross-traffic warning. As for the powertrain, Toyota simply said the Avalon will be powered by a V6 engine and an automatic transmission. The one thing Toyota did reveal was that the Avalon will feature Eco, Normal and Sport driving modes.

    Graeme Fletcher for National Post

    The 2013 Venza arrives with a new grille, available LED daytime running lights and fog lights, along with smarter-looking tail lights.

    Toyota Venza
    The 2013 Venza arrives with a new grille, available LED daytime running lights and fog lights, along with smarter-looking tail lights. As before, it will be offered with four- and six-cylinder engines that power the front or all four wheels through a six-speed automatic transmission.

    The show also hosted the world premiere of the designed-for-North America Toyota Avalon. Stay tuned for details.


    8:00 am on April 5, 2012
     

  • Car sales in Indonesia leapt 24.2% year-on-year in February as increased supply met pent-up demand among consumers in Southeast Asia’s largest economy.

    Sales of cars in February rose to 86,407 cars, led by Toyota, Daihatsu, Mitsubishi, Suzuki and Nissan, according to data from the Indonesia’s Automotive Manufacturers Association (Gaikindo) on Friday.

    Sales of cars and motorbikes are an important indicator of consumption in Indonesia, a country with 6.5% growth in 2011 and a rapidly expanding middle class.

    On a monthly basis, domestic car sales grew 13.2%, says the association, and revised January sales to 76,365 cars. Average car sales growth in 2011 stood at 18.2%.

    Related

    “It’s more about supply issues. Toyota has delivered its new variant to consumers and Honda has started to recover after supply disruption from Thailand,” Adrian Joezer, analyst at Mandiri Sekuritas told Reuters on Friday.

    Data from Indonesia’s main auto assembler PT Astra International Tbk showed that Toyota sold a total of 33,593 cars in February and grew 15% from a month earlier. Sales of Honda rose 22.6% month-on-month in February to 1,904 cars.

    On Friday, the government and Bank Indonesia issued regulations that set minimum down payments for loans of private cars and motorbikes, both for banks and multi-finances.

    The regulations came a week after the government proposed a fuel price hike plan to parliament to help the state cope with the rising cost of subsidies amid increasing crude oil prices.

    “Most of the consumers are first-time buyers. In 2008, when fuel was hiked by 30%, the impact was only for a month and then rebounded afterward,” says Joezer, adding that buyers of cars are more sensitive to financing liquidity issues.

    Last year, the country booked a new sales record of 894,180 cars, up 16% from 2010.

    “The issue of rising lending rates will give negative sentiment. In February, consumers were still waiting to see the impact of fuel policies,” says Akhmad Nurcahyadi, an analyst at Jakarta-based BNI Sekuritas.

    The worries about increasing transportation costs likely will be seen after the implementation of the new fuel policy and could affect sales in March or April, says Nurcahyadi.


    1:35 pm on March 19, 2012
     

  • TOKYO • Toyota confirmed Wednesday that its world group sales fell below the eight million mark in 2011, losing the firm its No. 1 spot in the global automakers’ league.

    Total sales were 7.95 million units worldwide, down 6%, Toyota says, after supply chains were disrupted by the earthquake and tsunami in Japan, as well as flooding in Thailand. It also suffered from the high yen.

    Related

    The Japanese company had been the world’s biggest automaker since 2008 and sold 8.42 million vehicles in 2010.

    But its 2011 figure leaves U.S. giant General Motors, with 9.03 million sales, in top spot after it emerged from bankruptcy, with Germany’s Volkswagen in second place with 8.16 million vehicles.

    Toyota’s result was also below the 8.03 million total sales recorded by an alliance between France’s Renault, Japanese automaker Nissan and Avtovaz of Russia.

    Toyota’s latest yearly sales figure appeared without comment at the bottom of a company news release announcing that it was increasing its 2012 sales target within Japan by 100,000 vehicles.

    Toyota officials have previously said their focus was on producing quality vehicles, and that “to be first is important, but that’s not the most important thing for us.”

    Toyota brand sales, which include Lexus, were down 6% in 2011, subsidiary Daihatsu was down 7%, while Hino, a smaller corporate unit, saw sales rise 14% last year.

    The automaker now expects to sell a total of 8.58 million Toyota and Lexus vehicles worldwide in 2012, it says, an increase of 21% on 2011.

    The 100,000 boost in the Japan sales forecast to 1.63 million vehicles comes after the government extended tax breaks for environmentally friendly vehicles.


    12:00 pm on January 25, 2012
     

  • Toyota Racing today announced more details of its forthcoming FIA World Endurance Championship participation, including an intention to race two hybrid-powered cars in specific races.

    Related

    The new team, which is based at Toyota Motorsport GmbH (TMG) in Cologne, Germany, will make its race debut May 5 in the Six Hours of Spa-Francorchamps, the second round of the FIA World Endurance Championship. Toyota Racing also intends to enter two TS030 Hybrid cars at the Le Mans 24 Hours June 16-17. Participation in further rounds is yet to be confirmed.

    A driver lineup of Alex Wurz, Nicolas Lapierre and Kazuki Nakajima has already been confirmed for one car while discussions are still ongoing to finalize the driver lineup for the other.

    The TS030 Hybrid is Toyota’s successor to the TS010 and TS020 cars that participated at Le Mans with some success during the 1990s,  TS being an acronym for ToyotaSport.

    Toyota says it is the first manufacturer to confirm its participation in the FIA World Endurance Championship using a hybrid system. The THS-R (Toyota Hybrid System – Racing) powertrain and features a new 3.4-litre V8 gasoline engine and hybrid system with capacitor storage developed by official team partner Nisshinbo.

    The team will use the TS030 Hybrid’s first test to evaluate the front motor and rear motor system within current race regulations. Those regulations limit hybrid systems to recovering a maximum of 500 kilo-Joules between braking zones while restricting deployment to only two wheels.

    Toyota first competed in the FIA World Endurance Championship in 1983. The automaker’s race cars have raced in 13 Le Mans 24 Hours races, finishing second three times.


    3:25 pm on January 24, 2012
     

  • Detroit • An upbeat mood permeated the exhibit floor in Cobo Hall, a welcome change from the gloomy atmosphere of recent shows here. Asian manufacturers were sharing the moment despite the hit many had endured last year from Japan’s earthquake and tsunami, plus the added whammy of severe flooding in Thailand. Sales are bouncing back — and so is the automakers’ optimism. Their reinvigorated drive was reflected in the unveiling of several new products that are expected to grab the interest of buyers in the months ahead. Here are the highlights:

    Related

    Acura
    The biggest splash among Acura’s unveilings was the much-anticipated NSX concept, which shows the direction the brand is heading as it develops a replacement for its original NSX supercar, which faded from the lineup in 2005.

    However, Acura also took the wraps off its most affordable model — the ILX. This entry-level compact luxury sedan is being touted as the new gateway to the brand, featuring attributes that are expected to appeal to younger buyers with aspirations to move upscale, such as its fresh exterior styling, affordability and attention to environmental issues. When it makes its debut this spring, it will be offered with a choice of three engines — a 2.0-litre four-cylinder, a high-performance 2.4L four coupled to a six-speed manual transaxle and a hybrid powertrain using a 1.5L gasoline-fuelled engine and electric motor — Acura’s first hybrid. It will be built exclusively in the United States.

    Honda
    The ninth generation of the Accord will be a trimmer model — shorter in length and lighter in weight, but still offering the same interior space as the current iteration. The 2013 Accord sedan and coupe, arriving this fall, will also be more fuel efficient, utilizing engines from Honda’s new Earth Dreams lineup introduced at the recent Tokyo Motor Show. The 2.4L 181-horsepower direct-injected four-cylinder will be the first application of these new technologies and it will be coupled to a six-speed manual or an available continuously variable transmission. The new Accord will also offer the first application of a new two-motor plug-in hybrid powertrain that, says Honda, will be capable of driving 15 to 25 kilometres in city driving on electric power alone. The Accord Hybrid will be launched next winter. A re-engineered 3.5L V6 will also be available, matched to a six-speed manual or a new six-speed automatic transmission.

    Hyundai
    We knew it was coming, but Hyundai made it official here — the Veloster is getting a boost for 2013. A twin-scroll turbocharger has been bolted onto the slick little coupe’s 1.6L four-cylinder engine, adding a much-needed 46% increase in power (201 hp in all) and bumping torque to 195 pound-feet starting at 1,750 rpm. With a curb weight of 1,255 kilograms, it’s lighter than two of its prime competitors, the Honda Civic Si Coupe and the Volkswagen GTI three-door. It will be available with a choice of a standard six-speed manual gearbox or an available six-speed automatic with paddle shifters.

    In addition to adding more power, Hyundai has tweaked the suspension to a sportier level, increased the size of the ventilated front rotors by 20 millimetres to improve braking and swapped the standard steering rack for one with a quicker ratio, resulting in crisper response. The Veloster Turbo goes on sale this summer.
    The sporty rear-wheel-drive member of Hyundai’s “fun team” also gets some extra muscle for 2013. As part of its mid-cycle freshening, the Genesis Coupe has been given a new look up front, with a restyled front fascia, grille, headlamps and fog lights plus a new hood. New LED tail lights light up the back end, while LED daytime running lights will be available as an option.

    The big changes, however, are under that new hood. The base 2.0L four-cylinder gets a twin-scroll turbocharger, replacing the current single-scroll unit, and a new intercooler that’s 53% larger. The changes boost horsepower by 30 ponies to 274 and torque is now an impressive 275 lb-ft at just 2,000 rpm. The added power, however, doesn’t impact fuel economy — in fact, it has improved, says Hyundai, with ratings of 10 litres per 100 km in the city and 6.4 litres per 100 km on the highway. The optional 3.8L Lambda V6 has also gained additional power, thanks to the addition of a direct-injection system, which adds 42 hp over the current iteration for 348 ponies in total, plus a 29-lb-ft boost in torque to 295. And, like the four-cylinder, the upgrades in technology and power have also improved fuel efficiency.

    Both engines will be offered with a choice of a six-speed manual transmission or an all-new eight-speed automatic with a Shiftronic manual mode activated through paddle shifters. The 2013 Genesis Coupe will be available in early spring.

    Scion
    The history of Toyota’s participation in motorsports with such models as the 2000 GT, Sports 800 and Corolla GTS (also known as the AE86) has provided the inspiration for Scion’s latest addition to its lineup — the FR-S sports car. This 2+2 coupe, which has been developed jointly with Subaru, is powered by a 2.0L horizontally opposed, high-compression four-cylinder coupled to either a six-speed manual gearbox or a six-speed automatic with paddle shifters.

    The newly developed Subaru boxer engine, which has been fitted with Toyota’s new D-4S injection system featuring both direct and port injection, kicks out 200 hp and 151 lb-ft of torque. The low positioning for the flat engine, combined with the car’s light weight (1,225 kilograms) and compact size (4,230 millimetres in length), gives the rear-wheel-drive FR-S ideal balance — just the ticket for impressive dynamic credentials. It arrives in showrooms in the spring.

    Sharing the stage was a competition version of the FR-S, which will be driven in the 2012 Formula DRIFT series by veteran Ken Gushi. The car, a joint venture between Scion Racing and the performance products firm GReddy, packs 600 tire-shredding horses under its hood.

    Toyota
    There’s a new sibling in the Prius family of hybrids — the Prius C (for city). It’s basically Prius Lite, a smaller, lighter but impressively efficient five-door hatchback particularly suited for urban use. Its combined fuel consumption rating is just 3.7 L/100 km, says Toyota. The C’s length is 485 mm shorter than the standard mid-sized Prius — 3,995 mm overall. It’s also 246 kg lighter. The powertrain consists of a 1.5L four-cylinder and a 45-kilowatt electric motor that combine for a total output of 99 hp.

    This new subcompact also opens the door for young buyers on a budget to gain access to hybrid technology, with a starting price in Canada of less than $21,000. It should arrive in showrooms in March.


    4:32 pm on January 13, 2012
     

  • Alexandra Straub

    Tokyo • In the foothills of Mount Fuji, at the legendary Fuji Speedway, journalists received a sneak preview and seat time in the Scion FR-S, scheduled to be in Canadian showrooms next spring.

    First seen as a concept at this year’s New York Auto Show, the FR-S — which stands for Front-engine Rear-wheel drive Sport — will be the fifth model to join the Scion stable in Canada.

    Related

    The prim and polished two-door coupe oozes sportiness from its pores. The FR-S’s profile styling is inspired by Toyota’s 2000GT (hence the low stance of the hood and roofline), while the vehicle draws its heritage from the AE86 Corolla, more commonly known in Japanese as Hachi-Roku, meaning 8-6. The FR-S is called the FT-86 in Japan.

    The AE86’s most recognizable characteristic on the FR-S is the upward protruding front fenders that showcase the 86 piston emblem. Combined with an aerodynamic silhouette and a set of 17-inch alloy wheels, this Scion is not business as usual.

    As I grasped the sport steering wheel and my body was enveloped by the extremely low to the ground driver’s seat, the checkered flag waved and the I was off. Thanks to its ultra-low centre of gravity — it boasts the lowest hip point of any Scion production vehicle — and a dynamically tuned front MacPherson strut and rear double-wishbone suspension, the FR-S’s road-hugging abilities inspired confidence on a slick and slippery track.

    In true sports car fashion, turning off the Vehicle Stability Control (VSC) is an option, although we were encouraged by the brand’s representatives to leave it on due to the somewhat adverse track conditions. Had it been sunny and dry, the lack of the computer nanny would have no doubt added another dimension to the FR-S.

    Power comes from a zesty  naturally aspirated 2.0-litre engine, the product of a symbiotic relationship between Toyota and Subaru. Mounted front mid-ship, it is touted as being the world’s first horizontally opposed D-4S engine
    created from the combined DNA of Subaru’s newly developed engine technology and Toyota’s D-4S direct-injection technology.

    This is no unholy union. The system allows for both direct and port injection, resulting in a preliminary specification of 200 horsepower and 151 pound-feet of torque. Harnessing that power comes in two transmission choices: a close-ratio six-speed manual or a six-speed automatic, the latter complete with steering wheel-mounted paddle shifters.

    On the track, power is delivered smoothly and promptly through both transmissions. While personal preferences steer me toward the manual, I found the six-speed automatic to be almost as impressive. The weight of the steering balances comfort — ideal for everyday driving — with firmness, in case you find yourself at the Fuji Speedway, or any track at that.

    As for the cabin, the FR-S sticks to the functional, a clear indication the designers don’t want the driver to be distracted by a plethora of buttons that typifies many a modern sports car’s centre stack. Rather, it’s to the point and straightforward. That said, it lacks a little flair for my taste. Then again, the FR-S’s attractive exterior makes up for it more than adequately.

    The attention to detail in the steering wheel and seats has not been overlooked. With a steering wheel diameter of 365 millimetres, it is the smallest in a Toyota vehicle. And, according to the engineers, the wheel was “optimized with exhaustive feedback from test drivers to enhance steering performance and grip.”

    Up front, the FR-S seatbacks and cushion surfaces are designed to provide maximum support during acceleration, and the seat shape is contoured so one’s elbow doesn’t interfere with the driving operation.

    On the track, the 2013 Scion FR-S demonstrated it has the inspiration from the past and the DNA of the present to make it a fun-to-drive and emotionally engaging rear-wheel-drive sports coupe.

    Canadian pricing has yet to be announced.


    9:00 am on December 11, 2011
     

  • The reason the Toyota Camry has been North America’s favourite family sedan for donkey’s years is simple — it has done everything expected of it well. No, it does not stand out in any particular area, but, when the family needs to get from A to B, it does it in style, holding five adults realistically and with the trunk space needed to
    accommodate their luggage (15.4 cubic feet). The new Camry sticks to Toyota’s time-honoured formula — although some will suggest this is to the detriment of the latest version.

    First, no one is going to mistake the seventh-generation Camry for anything other than a Camry. This means a rather staid look that’s more about packaging what’s on the inside than it is about giving the exterior look any real visual punch. The toe-the-line style is a surprising move given Buick’s radical reinvention, some sweet-looking entrants from Hyundai and Kia, not to mention those competitors on the near horizon — the next-
    generation Ford Fusion (it will be shown at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit in January) is a stunner and there’s a new Honda Accord on the way. Any and all would dearly love to conquest a Camry customer.

    There are no quibbles with the new interior style, which is upscale and inviting to the eye. The materials are very good, as is the overall comfort and quietness and, with the exception of a couple of anomalies, the layout is first-rate. It’s obvious Toyota spent a great deal of time getting it right. The front seats are very accommodating (sadly, be prepared to pay if you want them heated), there are no blind spots to speak of and there is enough rear-seat legroom that the Camry qualifies as limo-like — the sculpted nature of the front seatbacks adds 45 millimetres of knee room to an already spacious ride.

    The anomalies are minor but out of step nonetheless. First, the audio control module on the left side of the steering wheel looks like an afterthought, which runs contrary to an otherwise integrated execution. The second anomaly is just plain odd. Look at the centre stack and it is not immediately obvious the Camry XLE arrives with a standard navigation system as there is no button to push. Rather, one has to push the App button, tap the map icon on the touch-sensitive screen and then confirm that one will obey the rules of the road and drive accordingly. Only then does the map appear. The methodology transforms what was a one-step operation into a chore.

    Where Toyota needs to be taken to task is under the hood. With the exception of an extra gear in the manumatic transmission, the Camry’s motivation carries over from the previous generation. The test car arrived with the base 2.5-litre four-cylinder. It puts out 178 horsepower and 170 pound-feet of torque and it does not sound overly thrashy in the process. While the numbers are far from outstanding, there is enough at the driver’s right foot to deal with the cut and thrust of a morning commute, including passing a slower car when the need arises. The tester trotted to 100 kilometres an hour in just more than nine seconds and managed the more important 80-to-120-km/h dash in six seconds. Loading the car up with passengers does blunt the edge, but it’s not enough to fret over.

    The four-cylinder is also remarkably good on gas given the size of the car is it moving — a test average of 9.2 litres per 100 kilometres was much better than I expected. All of this stated, the four-cylinder engine does make the uplevel 268-hp V6 an important option if you’re shopping for more than acceptable.

    The new transmission works very nicely and showcases the engine in its best light. However, there is yet another anomaly. Whenever the manual mode is selected, the gearbox downshifts from sixth gear to fourth — without regard for speed. Invariably, this puts it in the wrong gear, which forces the driver to manually correct an automated move. Why is there an automatic function in the manual mode? It makes no sense whatsoever and effectively renders the manual side redundant for me.

    When it comes to ride quality, the Camry is a Japanese Buick. It takes a mighty gnarly bit of road to get the suspension to feed any jostling back to the passengers. In this regard, the Camry is first-rate. The flip side sees the overall setup being a little too soft to provide any real sense of handling. Certainly, the amount of roll is limited to a handful of degrees and the feedback afforded by the electrically assisted steering is all it should be, but the overall driving sensation does not spur the driver onward to the next set of sweeping curves. In fairness, a big part of the mushy feel/feedback came down to the snow tires the test car was wearing. They allowed the Camry to slip into understeer long before it would otherwise.

    So, carping aside, is the Toyota Camry about to lose its favourite status? I think not. The quibbles are, in the grand scheme of things, minor in nature and not enough to put a dent in the Camry’s popularity.


    8:58 pm on December 9, 2011