Toyota reveals its newest crown: The 2012 Camry

MANILA, Philippines - There’s something about ‘crowns’ and Toyota—and by that I am not even referring to the 10th Triple Crown sales milestone that the company recently celebrated in the Philippines. Instead, I am talking about how Toyota has actually first come out with a car called the Toyota Crown way back in 1955 and how it has since used the ‘crown’ term as an inspiration for many of its succeeding sedans—“Corolla” is actually Latin for ‘small crown,’ while “Corona” is Spanish for crown as well. And did any you know that the Camry is the phonetic transcription of the Japanese word kanmuri, which also means ‘crown?’

And in addition to that bit of trivia, I’m sure many of you are excited to hear the latest Toyota news: that the new 2012 Camry is finally out and ready to shine in the local automotive scene!

Indubitably one of Toyota’s iconic vehicles, the new Camry sports a more aerodynamic shape based primarily on the company’s “New Era Sedan” key development concept. The sleek, sculpted body is matched with expressive HID headlamps and sporty 17-inch alloy wheels that give the vehicle a more assertive stance.

Toyota’s new premium luxury sedan comes in three variants: the 3.5 V6, the 2.5V and the 2.5G, with the 3.5 boasting a powerful 3.5-liter 24-valve DOHC Dual VVT-i (variable valve timing) V6 that spits out 277 ps at 6,200 rpm and a maximum torque of 346 Nm at 4,700rpm. Meanwhile, the 2.5-liter variants (up from 2.4 from the previous model) feature a 4-cylinder inline, 16-valve DOHC (dual overhead camshaft) engine with Dual VVT-i good for 178 ps at 6,000 rpm and 231 Nm of torque at 4,100 rpm.

New and notable is the fact that all variants are now complemented by a 6-speed sequential automatic transmission that allows the driver to always have the right gear ratio regardless of driving speed and conditions. The sequential manumatic function allows the driver more manual gearbox-like control.

Inside, the new Camry is luxuriously spacious and teeming with handsome trim and fancy stitching. It uses a Smart Entry and Start system that employs a ‘smart key’ to lock and unlock the doors, and a push button to start the engine. The steering wheel is crafted in leather with wood-grain material and incorporates all the usual multimedia buttons that provide easy-access convenience to the driver.

The Camry also has separate air-conditioning temperature control not just for the driver and passenger but for the rear passengers as well. And as a further enhancement, Toyota introduces what it calls Nano-E Technology, an air-cleaning system that balances the surrounding air’s ratio of positive and negative ions. It also contains a plasma cluster that prevents the absorption of mold, fungus and dust.

On top of the usual ABS and BA (Brake Assist) systems, the Camry also features Vehicle Stability Control (VSC) technology that detects tire slippage and helps improve stability when driving on slippery roads. It also employs an Adaptive Front Lighting System (AFS) that regulates the headlamp beam pattern in the direction the driver points the steering wheel. SRS airbags are standard for both driver and passengers while additional side and curtain-shield airbags are available for the top-of-the-line model.

The new Camry may not be a complete revamp of its predecessor, but is a model that offers much-welcome functional improvements and a sleeker appearance. All variants are available in white pearl color options, and are priced as follows: 3.5Q at P2,082,000, 3.5Q White Pearl at P2,097,000, 2.5V at P1,681,000, 2.5V White Pearl at P1,696,000, 2.5G at P1,451,000 and 2.5G White Pearl at P1,466,000. Other available shades include silver metallic, beige metallic, gray metallic, medium silver metallic, dark steel mica and attitude black.