Toyota Camry; A Review

 

The success Toyota have had down under with their Camry doesn't need to be spelt out, monumental sales figures over the years speak for themselves.

A lot of the Camry's appeal goes down to the variation of models within the range, even though a wagon is not available now. Both four and six-cylinder variants fill the line-up, ranging from low specification to high specification. The Camry platform has also been the basis for some Lexus models.

Even though the current series has been with us for quite a few years now, Toyota continue to throw the Camry at differing target markets, one of the latest variations to come my way was the Sportivo V6, a 3-litre model with manual transmission, a car for those who like to take control over the gear shifting process.

The Camry Sportivo lists at $38,900 in four-cylinder form, the V6 comes in at $42,000; it is also available as an automatic gearbox model, priced at $44,000.

From the outset the V6/manual combination stands out for its low down engine strength and its ability to haul from slow speed in tall gears, so much so that it can be driven much like an automatic; leaving it in third gear at city speeds doesn't create any unpleasant sensation.

Shifting the five-speeder doesn't require any special effort, the lever glides nicely through the gate with short throws up and down and through the gate. Clutch action is light, there isn't a lot of feel but you do get the impression of progression, take-offs can be made without fear of a stall, and shifts thereafter can be manipulated as quickly as the driver desires.

Toyota's IMZ-FE series V6 produces a healthy 145kW at the top end (5200rpm), with 284Nm of torque available at 4400rpm. Even though the outputs are only separated by 800rpm, they are healthy figures which let the engine work freely and uninhibited. As a consequence, it is lively and exudes a solid feeling of urgency when asked to produce.

Response to accelerator request is decisive with a fuss-free run to the red-line of 6000rpm. When I tested the 3-litre Grande automatic recently, I recorded a 9sec run to reach 100kmh from a standstill. The manual variant clipped around half a second off that time. That may not seem a lot, but it takes a lot of inertia to make up the odd fraction of a second here and there, especially given the weight of the model at 1540kg.

Where the manual variant wins out also is in its lower gearing, it moves quickly off the mark and with 2400rpm engine speed at 100kmh in fifth gear it is far more eager than its automatic stablemate. That all important time of 5.8sec to make 120kmh from 80kmh is a second quicker than the Grande, so it is by far a more lively all round package.

The Sportivo is a car set up for the enthusiastic driver, and as such its four-strut suspension set-up has spring and damper rates a little firmer than the rest of the range.

Toyota New Zealand's engineering teams have specified chassis parameters that encourage spirited motion and cornering behaviour.

Riding on 16in alloy wheels with 205/60 Michelin Vivacy tyres, the Camry Sportivo gets aggressive rubber, while the suspension/chassis package is more than capable of responding to quick cornering request.

The V6 Camry isn't the ultimate performance machine, its size, weight and concept is structured more for versatility than outright performance, but together all of the ingredients come together well for a quick country blast.

Body balance over the suspension is fine, and when aimed at a corner the Camry has accurate steering and reasonably precise corner placement. Understeer looms early as front end weight creates a push mid-corner, but it is minor, the tyres dong their job providing as much grip as possible.

Four-wheel-disc brakes across the entire Camry range are responsible for slowing the big car down and do a good job with strong pedal feel. ABS overrides the entire system, it is part of a comprehensive safety package which includes dual air bags up front, side air bags are fitted to each front seat while three full three-point seat belts look after those in the rear.

Whereas the range-topping models in the new Camry range get lavish interior treatment, the Sportivo has sporty grade lining. Coloured predominantly dark blue, almost black, the suede and leather seats have white stitching, the effect looks good. The front seat backs include embroidered Sportivo logos while, for interest's sake, the driver's seat is electrically adjustable.

Elsewhere, specification levels are reasonably high with climate control, cruise control, keyless entry, powerful audio which includes CD and tape players, leather-wrapped steering wheel on tilt-adjustable column, variable intermittent wipers, electric exterior mirror adjustment, electric windows all round and trip computer.

The latter provided a test average readout of 11.1 litres per 100km. At 100kmh in fifth gear, instantaneous highway returns of 7.8l/100km are quite possible, these equate to imperial figures of 25mpg and 36mpg which are reasonably thrifty returns given engine displacement, car size and weight.

As with the rest of the series, the Camry Sportivo offers large car comfort, rear seat occupants get an enormous amount of leg and head room and the ride back there is supple and compliant.

While the layout of the interior is planned neatly, the Camry still has a conservative image, and Toyota have addressed that by giving the Sportivo silver faced dials, leather-wrapped gearshift lever and sports-style seats. A body kit, substantial rear spoiler and alloy wheels provide a performance car look.

I drove the Sportivo V6 manual shortly after I had dropped off Alfa Romeo's new GT, a car with a similar engine/transmission layout. The GT quickly became one of my most desired cars, and for the Camry to provide me with an enjoyable, fulfiling drive is a credit to the feel and response the engineers have built into the car.

It didn't measure up too bad in comparison to the GT, and if you take into account its price, half of that of the Alfa Romeo, then its value speaks volumes.

Specifications:

Price: Toyota Camry, $42,000.

Dimensions: Length, 4830mm; width, 1795mm; height, 1490mm.

Configuration: V6 transverse, front-wheel-drive, 2995cc, 145kW/5200rpm, 284Nm/4400rpm, five-speed manual; 1540kg.

Performance: 0-100kmh, 9sec.