2022 Toyota Camry
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Toyota Camry
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Toyota’s once best-selling compact sedan still is one of the most promising options you could buy looking at the VFM proposition.
The Camry is in its eighth generation and is one of Toyota’s best-selling cars outside of the RAV4. The Camry went through a major update for the 2021 model year, but little has changed for 2022. Engine options include your choice of a four-cylinder and a V-6, with the latter offering up 301 horsepower, and there’s an optional AWD system.
Latest Toyota Camry news and reviews:
2022 Toyota Camry
The Camry is in its eighth generation and is one of Toyota’s best-selling cars outside of the RAV4. The Camry went through a major update for the 2021 model year, but little has changed for 2022. Engine options include your choice of a four-cylinder and a V-6, with the latter offering up 301 horsepower, and there’s an optional AWD system.
2022 Toyota Camry Hybrid Goes Sinister With new Nightshade Edition
Midsize sedan sales continue to decline as a whole, but Toyota remains committed to this segment. As a matter of fact, the Camry still managess to outsell every single other crossover and SUV apart from Toyota’s own RAV4 and the Honda CR-V. In a bid to keep the Camry interesting, Toyota is upgrading their popular midsize sedan for the 2022 model year.
The Toyota Avalon and Camry Are Now AWD, But I’m More Interested in the Pictures
Toyota is super proud of the fact that it was able to pair the 2019 RAV 4’s AWD system with the 2020 Camry and 2021 Avalon. It’s also proud of the fact that AWD can be specified on most trim levels without adding too much weight (just 165 pounds for the Camry,) but what I’m more interested in are the pictures that Toyota released along with this news.
The Toyota Camry is available in Europe for the first time in decades, sold as a luxury sedan that undercuts the usual luxury sedan suspects on price. The model is a firm favorite not only in America, but also in Russia, yet it has not been available for European buyers who where offered the Avensis sedan instead.
Now that the Avensis was phased out in mid-2018, there is space in Toyota’s Euro range for a large-ish sedan and the global Camry seems like a perfect fit. It is bigger and more expensive than the Avensis, though, and it will not really face off against the Ford Mondeos and VW Passats, but instead a different car that’s very similar to it in terms of formula: the very talented and much loved Skoda Superb, a car that offers the space of a limousine and almost limo-like levels of luxury for a fraction of what an equivalent premium car of the same size would cost.
The Superb is definitely the Camry’s biggest European rival, and once buyers do get accustomed to the Camry being available, these two models will undeniably be cross-shopped. The only problem is the Camry is only sold as a hybrid in Europe and it can’t really compete with the strong powertrain lineup of the Superb - the big Czech sedan even gained a plug-in hybrid version along with the recent mid lifecycle refresh.
The Best-Selling Cars In America This Year Through October 2018
2018 has been a big sales year for automakers in the U.S. From January to October 2018, car sales in the U.S. have reached 14,262,604 sold units. That represents a 0.2 percent increase in total sales compared to the first ten months of 2017. If you take it from that perspective, Americans are buying more vehicles this year than they did last year. But there are a lot of pieces involve in this numbers, too. These pieces paint a more accurate picture of the automotive landscape in the U.S. in 2018. Sales of light trucks — these include SUVs and pickups are up 8.3 percent compared to their sales numbers from January to October 2017.
On the other hand, sales of passenger vehicles, including sedans, are down 13.3 percent in the same period. This tells us that more and more American buyers are buying SUVs and pickups compared to sedans. It’s no surprise, then, that when we compiled the top 10 list of best-selling vehicles in the U.S. in the first ten months of the year, the upper half of that list was dominated by, you guessed it, pickups and SUVs.
Toyota Aims to Add TRD and AWD Badges Across its Whole Lineup
The TRD brand, aka Toyota Racing Development, was once reserved for a few models in Toyota’s range but, now, Toyota seems eager to bring TRD-infused packages to all the models it offers. That will most definitely dilute the feeling of exclusivity that came embroidered in TRD models. On a more positive note, Toyota also plans to bring AWD across the board.
Toyota officially presented the new Camry TRD and Avalon TRD models at the L.A. Auto Show. We knew they were coming since Toyota teased us with a few previews a couple of weeks ago but that doesn’t mean we didn’t feel like Toyota’s two sedans were the natural base for TRD to apply their magic to. Still, with what we know now, it seems less weird than, let’s say, a TRD-ized RAV-4.
2020 Toyota Avalon TRD and Camry TRD
In its continuous pursuit of excitement that started sometime with the introduction of the latest Camry, Toyota revealed two cool cars - the Toyota Avalon TRD and the Toyota Camry TRD. These may be some of the most important products Toyota has ever unveiled. Not per se in terms of sales or market, but in terms of something far more important for us - car enthusiasts. The Avalon TRD and the Camry TRD are what the company wants to show the world - audaciousness.
See, before the latest 2018 Camry, Toyota’s car development process was always led by the engineer. The engineer was at the top of that imaginary car development food chain. For the latest Camry, it was the designer.
"We actually started with that 2-inch doodle," Ian Cartabiano, Toyota California Chief Designer said, "And it became sketch, bigger sketch, bigger sketch, model. But that original intention followed all the way through to the cars. It was totally new for us. There’s always been a designer, but the chief engineer has been the top guy. It was always just 100 percent engineering."
Obviously, not for the latest Camry.
Well, the Avalon TRD and the Camry TRD are basically an ultimate expression of the flamboyance Toyota wanted to express with the latest line of its cars. That was the main idea behind Akio Toyoda’s, Toyota CEO, comment back in January 2017. He said,
“Until now, there were times when Toyota’s cars were called ‘boring’ or were said to be lacking in character,” Toyota CEO Akio Toyoda told reporters of USA Today. “But I now feel that, in terms of driving and design, our customers have begun to favorably evaluate our cars.”
He said it just months after the unveiling of the latest Toyota Camry, a bold design exercise that seemed kinda risky compared with the Toyota styling habits of the past.
So, what do the tricked-out Avalon and Camry TRD bring to the table then?
Toyota Set To Drop More Nightshade Lovin’ at The 2018 Los Angeles Auto Show
Toyota is once again rolling out a lineup of special edition Nightshade Editions, this time at the 2018 Los Angeles Auto Show. Months after introducing Nightshade SE versions for the 4Runner, Tacoma, and Tundra, the Japanese automaker is giving the Camry sedan and the Highlander SUV the same treatment. Both special edition models will be in attendance in Los Angeles before going on sale in 2019.
Toyota to Showcase the 2019 Toyota Camry TRD and Avalon TRD in Los Angeles
The Toyota Racing Development division, or TRD, has finally set its sights on Toyota’s Camry and Avalon sedans. The TRD-seasoned sporty versions will drop at the upcoming L.A. Auto Show confirming Toyota’s drive towards performance cars and trucks.
The Avalon and Camry sedans are really good cars in their own way but they never really had any claim to performance. Now, however, with the involvement of TRD, that’s all about to change. Both the mid-size Camry and the full-size Avalon have been peaked at in an announcement released by the Japanese manufacturer which states that the new models will drop at the end of the month.
Keep reading to learn more about the TRD Avalon and Camry
Top Midsize Sedans of 2018
SUVs have become the toast of the automotive world these days that it’s hard to argue against anyone who wants to buy one. It’s just that even though SUVs continue to grow in popularity, it can’t replicate the suave styling and sophistication of some of the most popular midsize sedans on the market today. The best midsize sedans are often those that give you the best of all words. They’re stylish, powerful, comfortable, and spacious. Some even combine all those qualities in one package. SUVs have these qualities, too, but they’re often a product of customers needing them as opposed to wanting them.
With midsize sedans, especially the luxury types, you don’t need space because you have a family to fit inside it, you want the space because you want to show off your ride to your friends. Likewise, you don’t need it to be powerful for your next weekend getaway. You want it to be powerful, so it grabs the attention of the people around you. In here is a list of the best midsize sedans of 2018. Pay attention to who made it because there’s a good chance that if you’re in the market for one, you’ll end up getting one of these models.
2019 Toyota Camry Hybrid Announces It’s Ready for Europe at 2018 Paris Motor Show
Toyota hasn’t offered the Camry sedan in Europe for well over 10 years, relying on the Avensis as its top three-box car for the Old Continent. However, at this year’s edition of the Paris motor show, Toyota brought the new eighth-generation model, which it intends on selling here again in the near future.
10 Best Used Cars For New Drivers
While most modern cars pack in the safety features and offer plenty of value-per-dollar, there are some out there that seem to stand above the rest. If you’re scouring the used market looking for just the right ride for your new driver, fear not, as we’ve put together a list that outlines ten models that are just a few years old, but still come with just about everything you could want.
Each entry also includes a rundown on crashworthiness, as tested by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, or IIHS, a U.S.-based non-profit organization that conducts research on almost all new cars.
So with that, read on for our list of the ten best-used cars for new drivers.
Lego Builds A Life-Size Toyota Camry Out Of Plastic Bricks and it’s the Best Full-Scale Build Yet
We love a good Lego build as much as anyone, but this latest project from Toyota is pretty dang ambitious. It’s a life-size creation of the new Camry, and it’s got pretty much every detail of the curvaceous four-door perfectly recreated in brick form.
Continue reading for the full story.
NASCAR Champ Truex Jr. Designs All-Black Toyota Camry for SEMA
Toyota got really busy for the 2017 SEMA Show and its lineup for this year’s event included a handful of bespoke Camry sedans designed by NASCAR drivers. Among those who created their own race-inspired Camry was Martin Truex Jr., who recently clinched the Sprint Cup title behind the wheel of his NASCAR-spec Camry. Built as a homage to his track-prepped car, the production Camry was modified with help from Toyota’s Motorsports Technical Center (MTC) and Misfit Industries.
Much like the race car he used this season, the SEMA-bound Camry is finished in black. But the color is far from being a Toyota palette standard. Crafted by Misfit after going through six different shades, the final paint is covered with a satin top coat for a unique, nearly matte look. What’s more, all existing chrome trim was refinished in durable cobalt Cerakote, which turned the exterior of the Camry completely black. The wheels, which are based on those of Truex Jr.’s race car are also finished in black. But NASCAR’s new champion didn’t stop at new paint, trim, and wheels. The Camry also sports a front splitter, a ducktail spoiler with visible rivets, and a new diffuser with redesigned exhaust pipes with three holes on each side.
The interior matches the sober look of the exterior with black leather with black stitching on the seats and Truex Jr.’s initials stitched on the headrests. Under the skin, the Camry gained an AEM intake system, a TRD exhaust, a custom Tein coilover suspension for lowered ride height and bigger brakes from StopTech. The Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric high-performance tires also add to the sedan’s improved performance.
Needless to say, Truex Jr.’s options for this Camry are a bit too serious as far as exterior updates go, but I must admit I would like to see this package offered on a limited-edition model. High-performance features and black matte paint are the perfect combination if you like subtle looks on beefed-up cars. Of course, a few engine upgrades would be nice too. What do you think? Let me know in the comments section.
2018 Toyota Camry Rowdy Edition II
One of the best-selling sedans in the United States in recent decades, the Camry is known mainly for its solid quality, good bang for the buck, and excellent reliability. It was never among the best looking vehicles in its niche and needless to say, Toyota received a lot of heat for that. This changed with the latest-generation Camry, which arrived with a decidedly sportier exterior design that borrows a few cues from the premium Lexus brand. The new styling was immediately transferred onto the NASCAR race car, which was used by four different teams and driven by more than 15 drivers during the 2017 season. Among them is Kyle Busch, who designed a custom Camry for the 2017 SEMA Show.
In second place in the Sprint Cup standings as of November 1, Busch teamed up with Chuck Gafrarar of Chuck G Fabrication, who collaborated with NASCAR race teams since 2002, to give already eye-catching sedan a bit of a twist design-wise. Busch also delved into the Toyota parts bin for performance-enhancing upgrades and called his creation the "Rowdy Edition II." If you’re not familiar with the term, Busch uses the nickname "Rowdy" after Days of Thunder character Rowdy Burns. He’s actually nicknamed "Shrub," as the younger brother of Kurt Busch (a shrub is a smaller bush, get it?), but let’s face it, the Camry Shrub Edition doesn’t sound as appealing.
Continue reading to learn more about the Toyota Camry Busch.
2018 Toyota Camry XSE Denny Hamlin
The Toyota Camry is a lot of things. Flashy isn’t one of those things. That’s the usual narrative surrounding America’s top-selling model, but just because the Camry has been pigeon-holed as a certain type of car, that doesn’t mean that it can’t spread its wings every so often and break out of its own house, especially when you get someone like Denny Hamlin involved. The 36-year old NASCAR racer may drive a race-spec Toyota Camry in the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series, but at the invitation of Toyota, Hamlin’s trading in his race overalls for a chance to design his own custom Toyota Camry. The result is this stand out piece of work.
Hamlin’s Camry may not be the quintessential Camry upgrade, but it looks the part of one. It has a wide range of custom features, ranging from fancy graphics, shiny wheels, and a wide-body conversion. And, those are just on the exterior of the sedan. Instead, Hamlin’s influence is clearly evident, particularly in the choice of colors the 2016 Daytona 500 winner picked to stamp his personalized touches on the four-door ride. All told, the Hamlin-designed Camry makes up one of the handful of custom-tuned Camrys that are on display at the 2017 SEMA Auto Show. It may not have the visual presence that Rutledge Wood’s Camry has, but it certainly qualifies as the most dynamic build among all the Camrys that were designed by Hamlin’s peers. At the very least, it’s the one that I’d like to have for myself.
Continue after the jump to read more about the Toyota Camry XSE Denny Hamlin
2018 Toyota Camry Rutledge Wood
Racing analyst and former Top Gear USA presenter Rutledge Wood is known for his affinity with plaid T-shirts. He’s also known for having a deep-seated passion for the automotive industry. So, when Toyota was looking for individuals to take the lead in building custom Toyota Camrys for the 2017 SEMA Auto Show, Wood’s name inevitably turned up. So Toyota tapped him to work on his own custom version of the Camry, and the result is a car that reflects the man’s boisterous personality.
I’m not one to pass judgment on something I know little about at this point, but I can tell all of you that Wood’s work on the Camry is the most impactful of the bunch. It’s certainly the most colorful of all the custom Camry’s we’re seeing at SEMA, and the story and the process behind its creation involves the use of certain techniques that you can expect from someone like Rutledge Wood. He may be the only non-NASCAR driver to get a chance at customizing a Camry for this year’s SEMA, but all told, Wood vindicates Toyota’s decision to tap him with a creation that has as much going for it as some of the Camrys that were customized by actual NASCAR racers.
Continue after the jump to read more about the Toyota Camry by Rutledge Wood
2018 Toyota Camry Daniel Suarez
While there are plenty of older builders out there, car modification is inherently a youthful endeavor, don’tcha think? Indeed, how many older individuals do you see out there driving custom cars versus the younger crowd? As such, it makes sense that Toyota asked its youngest NASCAR driver, 25-year-old Daniel Suarez, to have a hand in building this custom Camry. Granted, Toyota is giving several of its NASCAR drivers a chance to customize their own 2018 Camry, but we think Suarez might have a leg up on his colleagues. Funny enough, not only is Suarez’s youthful demeanor an asset but so is his experience. “I grew up in the car customization business,” he explains, “so I’m very hands-on when it comes to this kind of project. I wanted to keep the Camry’s athletic, refined aspect but morph it into a track-ready vehicle.” As such, his revisions to the popular four-door sedan include new body components, a white-on-black paint scheme, a freshened interior, a few extra ponies under the hood, and a sharp suspension set-up.
Suarez currently competes in the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series, driving with Joe Gibbs Racing in the number 19 Camry. He also enjoys the occasional stint in the Xfinity Series behind the wheel of the Joe Gibbs Racing number 18 and number 20 Camrys. The young talent secured a championship win in the Xfinity Series last year – the question is, can his Camry secure some attention at SEMA in 2017?
Continue reading to learn more about the Toyota Camry Daniel Suarez.
Ring in 2018 Already: 10 Models We’re Dying To See When The Calendar Flips A Page
With just a little over two months left before we say adieu to 2017, the wait for all 2018 model releases is hitting fever pitch. We can’t promise to make time move faster than it does, but what we can do is at least prepare everyone for what’s to come when the new year arrives. That said, let me be the first to say that 2018 is going to be a wild year for the auto industry, as old guards are retired, existing nameplates get their redesigns, and most importantly, all-new models are unleashed into the world.
Who knows, 2018 might even be the year when we take a big leap in electric and autonomous technology. A lot of things are at play when the new year rolls around so to keep the anticipation building, do check out this list of some of the hottest and most highly anticipated models to hit the streets next year. We can’t say that we like one of these models better over the other, but at least we’re giving you a good preview of what’s to come. Prepare those checkbooks, ladies and gentlemen, because some of these cars won’t come cheap.
Continue after the jump to read the full story.
2018 Toyota Camry
Initially launched as a four-door version of the Celica in 1979, the Camry became a stand-alone nameplate in 1982. Since then, it has evolved into one of the most reliable and popular sedans on the market, especially in the U.S., where Toyota has delivered more than 200,000 units a year since 1988 and in excess of 350,000 examples since 1996. Currently the best-selling passenger car in North America, the Camry drove into a new generation for the 2018 model year.
While almost all new-generation vehicles get redesigns both inside and out, the new Camry is a massive departure from its predecessor. Not only given a new look, it’s also sleeker, sportier, and more stylish than its predecessor. It looks as if the new Camry was created to bridge the gap between the dull Toyota cars and the premium Lexus offerings. And that’s not a bad idea. As usual, the redesigned exterior is jointed by a revamped interior with new styling and updated technology. Toyota also took care of the drivetrain department by introducing three new engines, including a hybrid. So how good is the new Camry? Let’s find out the answer to this big question in the review below.
Update 6/21/2017: Toyota has announced pricing for the 2018 Toyota Camry, and the entry-level price increased by just $425. Check out the prices section below to learn all about it.
Japan Gets a Cooler Version of the Camry, and it’s Even Offered in TRD Form
When Toyota pulled the sheet off of the 2018 Camry at the Detroit Auto Show a few months back, we were quite literally stunned by what sat in front of us. The crappy econobox from the late 80s and early 80s has officially grown up. So much so, in fact, that we even took the time to compare it to the Mercedes E-Class. It actually fared pretty well. But see, here’s the thing. Over in Toyota’s home country of Japan, the Camry has a slightly different face, and even more important than that, it’s going to be offered in TRD and Modellista form too!
As far as the Japanese version of the Camry, there really aren’t too many differences to note. It does have a different fascia with a much larger grille. As such, it gets rectangular fog lights and a sporty lip at the bottom. The headlights are also more toned and feature clear side markers. Around back, it gets a different rear fascia and a different set of tail lights. Whether or not it’s more attractive is a matter of opinion, but one thing that I can say for sure is that I want to know when we’re getting the TRD and Modellista versions here in the U.S. See, the TRD gets a much larger lip, sportier side skirts and a new lip in the rear as well – basically a four-piece lip kit. There’s no word on any performance enhancements, but with the TRD badge being prominently displayed, I certainly hope there are some. As for the Modellista, it gets some healthy doses of chrome and likely offers up more luxurious materials inside.
Keep reading for the rest of the story
Taking On Ze Germans… In A Camry?!
You know, you can buy a lot of car for not a whole lotta money these days. For example, if it’s straight-line muscle you’re looking for, the Dodge Charger Hellcat and Dodge Challenger Hellcat will put over 700 horsepower at your disposal for a mere $65,000. That’s pretty insane if you ask us, but what about something on the either side of the spectrum, where comfort and style rule supreme? Well, around these parts, you could opt for the Mercedes-Benz E-Class, the German’s mid-size luxury four-door that comes jam-packed with high-tech goodies, top-shelf opulence, and upper-crust flair. Or, as an alternative, consider the new eighth-generation Toyota Camry. No, seriously.
Suffice to say, we’re big fans of the new Camry. So much so, we feel comfortable comparing it to one of Merc’s best luxury barges. The updated Toyota just dropped cover at the 2017 Detroit Auto Show, and we’re convinced it’s got the goods to punch way above its weight.
But maybe we’re overstepping things a bit. Maybe we’re completely off in the deep end. Maybe. It’s certainly a possibility. But after the response we got when we compared the Camry and the BMW 5 Series, we shrugged our shoulders and went for it anyway.
Continue reading for the full comparison.
Toyota’s Camry NASCAR Racer is Built in America
With Donald Trump officially elected as the 44th President of the United States, automakers have found themselves under a lot of stress thanks to his “build in American or pay dearly” strategy. Well, that actually led to a bit of a theme at the Detroit Auto Show, with automakers giving nods to the U.S.-based production in one way or another. One effort to prove U.S.-production loyalty came in the form of Toyota’s NASCAR racer that looks somewhat similar to the all-new Toyota Camry. Of course, most of the body is fake and all, but from a distance, it looks quite similar. More importantly, however, are the two nods to U.S.-loyalty that are advertised on the car.
First off, there’s a big decal just above the rear windscreen that says “Built in Kentucky.” That’s right, Toyota’s NASCAR racer is actually built in the Southern U.S. But, that wasn’t the only thing that caught my attention. There also a bright green decal around the fuel filler cap that reads “American Ethanol,” a simple but effective way to let everyone at the show know that the Japanese brand relies on American-made ethanol and American citizens to keep its presence on the track known. It makes complete sense, but it leaves on to wonder: Would these decals be there if Trump wasn’t pushing automakers for U.S. production so much?
That’s hard to say, but I have a feeling they wouldn’t be – or they wouldn’t be so prominent anyway. On a side note, since we’re here, I want to point out that it must take a lot of dedication to sit in one of these racers for so long. After getting a good look at the inside, I can tell you that there is absolutely nothing comfortable about them. The seat is hard, and there’s sheet metal everywhere – all with sharp points and thin edges. In case you haven’t had the chance to look inside an actual NASCAR racer, I snagged a few shots of the interior as best I could. You can check those out by clicking the “Photos” tab above, and I suggest you do if you really want to see what NASCAR drivers put up with for hours at a time on the track.
Looking to Buy a BMW 5 Series? Here’s Why You Should Get the New Toyota Camry Instead
Hello BMW fans and welcome to the article most of you will probably spend 10 seconds on average to just scan it before rushing to comments section to give me a piece of your mind. For the blasphemous title above, of course.
How dare I compared a luxurious, powerful Bimmer to a not-so-fast, not-so-good-looking Toyota that only drivers over 45 would buy? Well, have you seen the eighth-generation Camry? If not, have a look at the gallery section to see the photos we just took at the Detroit Auto Show. I’ll be right here...
Good, now that you’ve seen it, you probably agree that the new design is a significant improvement over the previous generation and one of the sportiest midsize sedans built for the U.S. market. If you don’t agree, you’re a BMW fanboy. I’m entitled to my own opinion, right? And no, you cannot compare the Camry to any model with M, AMG, and RS badges.
Continue reading for the full story.
2018 Toyota Camry NASCAR Cup Car
At the 2017 Detroit Auto Show, Toyota unveiled the eighth-generation Camry, the company’s sportiest and most advanced midsize sedan to date. Alongside the new road car, the Japanese carmaker also took the covers off its new NASCAR racer, which will be used in the top-level Cup Series starting this year.
Although it’s by no means new under the skin, the Camry NASCAR is completely new on the outside, featuring all the important design elements seen on the road car. To achieve this, Camry chief designer Masato Katsumata oversaw the project with engineers from Calty Design, Toyota’s North American design studio, and Toyota Racing Development (TRD).
Up front, the road-going and the NASCAR models are almost identical. Of course, the race car is lower and wider and details such as the headlamps, grilles, and vents are only painted, but the nose and the engine hood are true to the car you’ll find in dealerships later in 2017. As with most modern NASCAR racers, the side view is significantly different due to the simulated two-door design, the shorter wheelbase, and the longer rear overhang. The same goes for the rear end, which uses a much simpler bumper and a bigger spoiler due to the series’ aerodynamic regulations.
All told, Toyota’s new NASCAR weapon is as gorgeous as the road-going sedan.
“The collaboration between Calty Design Group and TRD has produced a NASCAR Camry that showcases aggressive styling that is sure to turn heads on the race track and among our fans in Toyota showrooms across the country. Reimagining both the Camry race car and its production counterpart has been a tremendous undertaking and our goal has been to maintain parallel design characteristics so our fans can enjoy driving a Camry that closely resembles the one their favorite NASCAR driver races each weekend,” said Ed Laukes, vice president of Integrated Marketing Operations for Toyota Motor Sales.
The NASCAR Camry will make its track debut at Daytona Speedway on February 18 in The Clash at Daytona, before the Daytona 500 race on February 26. Toyota enters the 2017 NASCAR season as the defending champion after winning the manufacturers’ championship for the first time in 2016. As of 2017, Toyota also won the drivers’ championship in 2015, while Camry drivers have won 95 races since the company joined the series in 2007.
Continue reading to learn more about the 2018 Toyota Camry NASCAR Cup Car.
2018 Toyota Camry Wows Detroit with Gorgeous Design
After some seven years on the market in which it has taken Toyota’s U.S. sales in the midsize segment to new heights, the seventh-generation Camry is being prepared for retirement as a brand-new sedan is coming into the spotlight, Revealed at the 2017 Detroit Auto Show, the eighth-generation Camry is a significant departure from its predecessor and signals the beginning of a new era for the American-made midsize.
Although made extremely popular by its comprehensive standard features list, good fuel economy, solid safety, and affordable sticker, the Camry was often criticized for its bland looks and included in "best cars for older drivers" tops more than once. Toyota is actually struggling with this across the board, but it has managed to roll out more youthful designs with its latest Corolla, RAV4, and especially the C-HR. The previous Camry’s facelift made a few steps in that direction, but the eighth-generation model brings the approach we’ve been waiting for.
Although the new design is clearly evolutionary, the Camry is a lot more appealing to look at. The front grille and emblem are now framed in a body-colored elements, the lower grille is bigger and sportier, the side vents are significantly larger, while the headlamps have more angular design. Pair all of the above with the creased, muscular hood and you’re looking at a midsize that’s anything but bland.
Moving onto the sides, Toyota finally ditched the boring belt line that ran undisturbed from the front fenders to the rear for a more exciting character line that highlights the beefier wheel arches. The two-tone rims and the black window trim gives it a decidedly sporty look you wouldn’t expect from a Camry. Of course, the model shown here is actually an expensive trim and the lower versions will feature more chrome, but I don’t see how a bit of bling would ruin the excellent proportions of the sedan. Around back we can see more features we don’t usually find on a Camry. There’s the protruding spoiler atop the nicely sculpted trunk lid, the new taillights with vent extensions toward the apron, and the revised bumper with quad exhaust pipes and diffuser-like elements.
All of a sudden I feel like shouting "shut up and take my money!"
The cabin also seems like a great place to spend time in. The redesigned dashboard comes with a funky, V-shaped center stack, optimized seating positions, more upscale upholstery and trim, a seven-inch instrument cluster, and a 10-inch head-up display. It also has a new infotainment screen with smartphone-like menus, navigation (standard), on-board Wi-Fi, and an upgraded JBL sound system. The latter two are optional.
Under the hood, there a range of all-new drivetrains. The base model comes with a naturally aspirated 2.5-liter four-cylinder unit that should offer better power and torque than the current 178 horsepower and 170 pound-feet. It may seem surprising that Toyota went all-motor again instead of choosing the turbocharged routed, but the Japanese company claims that the longer stroke and higher compression ratio will deliver best-in-class fuel economy. Next up is a redesigned 3.5-liter V-6, shared with the Highlander and Sienna. Again, output figures aren’t available, but expect more than the previous 268 horses and 248 pound-feet, as well as more than 21 mpg city and 31 mpg highway.
Finally, the Camry Hybrid combines the 2.5-liter four-cylinder with a revised continuously variable transmission that features a new Sport mode that simulates a six-speed transmission. This model also has a new battery pack and Toyota promises "Prius-like city/highway" fuel economy, which should be around 54 and 50 mpg, respectively. The sedan also gained a stiffer chassis and suspension for improved dynamics, but we will talk more about that in our review.
Continue reading for the full story.
Toyota Teases All-New 2018 Camry Ahead of Detroit Auto Show
Toyota has released a teaser shot of the 2018 Camry ahead of the 2017 North American International Auto Show happening in January in Detroit, Michigan. No details were provided with the image other than the descriptor of “all-new.” Yep, apparently Toyota’s hot-selling sedan is getting a ground-up overhaul.
The image might not show much, but what is visible is rather appealing. The new LED taillights have a racetrack-style design that swoops and curves around the light housing. The prominent vertical vent bisects the taillight, created a rather dynamic piece of design. We doubt the vent is functional, but it can’t hurt to hope.
Also clearly seen are sharp character creases running horizontally down the body. Two heavy creases are seen coming off the top of the rear fender and another that runs through the fender, briefly interrupted by the wheel arch. These lines run into the truck lid and give the Camry’s tail a muscular appearance.
Also of note is the C-pillar. It has an interesting C-like shape to it far different than the current Camry. This leads up to think Toyota’s “all-new” claim isn’t just marketing speak. The XSE trim level badge is seen on the truck, denoting this is the Camry’s sportiest model. A tall decklid spoiler is present as well, likely accompanying the XSE badge. The wheels are visible as well and feature machined faced front and dark-painted pockets, all wrapped in low-profile tires.
We’ll have to wait until Detroit to see the rest of the 2018 Camry, but if the rest of the car looks as good as the XSE’s rear quarter, Toyota should have a hit on its hands.
Continue reading for more information.
Toyota’s performance division – known as TRD – has brought five customized vehicles to the 2015 SEMA Auto Show this year. By now, it is clear that none of these vehicles are anywhere near as extreme as some of the vehicles TRD has brought to SEMA in the past. There are some body modifications, but the interior and drivetrain remain almost untouched.
Last year, Toyota and TRD brought us what came to be one of the best sleepers ever designed. It was a Camry that was extensively modified with a custom chassis and a 5.7-liter engine. The body actually lifted off of the frame, hinged at the rear, like a common-day funny car. Well, Toyota has presented another TRD Camry this year at SEMA, but don’t be getting excited just yet – there is no sleeper material here. In fact, at a quick glance, you might not even know the TRD Camry has been modified.
This year, the TRD Camry comes in the form of a 2015 Camry XSE V-6. The sedan has been a best seller in the U.S. for the last 12 years, but it was redesigned for the 2015 model year, so at least it has that going for it. Now that this TRD Camry has been unveiled, let’s take a look at what it brings to the table.
Continue reading to learn more about the Toyota TRD Camry SEMA Edition.
For the past 13 years, the Toyota Camry has been the best-selling car in America, thanks to a well-appointed interior, non-offensive exterior design, acceptable performance figures, and of course, bulletproof reliability.
But to stay at the forefront of vehicle sales for that long requires a constant cycle of refreshes. For 2015, Toyota rejuvenated the Camry by re-engineering nearly 2,000 parts, leaving “only the roof” unchanged. These alterations included new interior materials and equipment, an updated suspension, and revised exterior styling.
Now, Toyota is ready to debut a limited-production, special edition of America’s favorite four-door at the Chicago Auto Show next week. On top of the 2015 redesign, the Japanese automaker hopes to inject the Camry with “an extra dose of both aggressiveness and technology.”
Based on the new Camry SE, this special edition adds several new features to both the cabin and exterior, creating a Camry that, Toyota feels, should stand above the rest.
Updated 07/17/2015: Toyota announced prices for the Camry Special Edition, which will be produced between August 2015 and January 2016. Prices will start from $25,715 and Toyota will build only 12,000 units.
Continue reading to learn more about the 2016 Toyota Camry Special Edition.
As the largest car company in the world, Toyota stands as a titan above the rest of the industry, but it has a pretty big problem: Its customers keep getting older. Toyota has made moves to address the trend in the past, the biggest of which was establishing Scion as a youth-oriented brand, but FR-S aside, that plan sort of backfired.
Now, Toyota might be implementing yet another new strategy to get the attention of millennials. Speaking with Automotive News at the Detroit Auto Show, Toyota General Manager Bill Fey divulged potential plans to leverage the TRD brand (Toyota Racing Development) into a few existing models, most likely starting with the Camry.
"I think we’d probably start with Camry and see if there is a little magic we could work with some of the TRD equity that we have," said Fay. "Camrys are out there during season racing every Saturday and Sunday in NASCAR. So, I think there’s a logical fit there." A Camry TRD could arrive by the end of 2015.
Fay didn’t elaborate much on what a Camry TRD would look like, but did suggest some NASCAR-inspired modifications were being looked at. We wouldn’t expect to find an 850-horsepower V-8 from a Sprint Cup racer under the hood, but a sportier suspension, a more-aggressive appearance package and a slight bump in power seem likely.
Click past the jump to read more about Toyota’s future TRD models.
Toyota’s Hybrid Synergy Drive is already one of the most advanced gasoline-electric powertrains on the planet, but the Japanese automaker is looking to squeeze even more technology into its high-efficiency vehicles, with the use of silicon carbide (SiC) power semiconductors that were developed in collaboration by Toyota, Denso and Toyota Central R&D Labs.
According to Toyota, the semiconductors used in today’s hybrids and electric vehicles have more electrical resistance than SiC semiconductors, accounting for an electric energy loss of around 20 percent, so switching to the more-efficient SiC semiconductors should result in improved performance from the electric drive components. To find out exactly what kind of improvement that would be, Toyota will begin a year-long test (starting this month in Japan) of a Toyota Camry Hybrid prototype that utilizes a power control unit (PCU) equipped with these new semiconductors.
While Toyota has not revealed when it plans to start using them in production vehicles, it doesn’t seem like it will be ready in time for use in the next-gen Toyota Prius expected to debut later this year.
Click past the jump to read more about the 2015 Toyota Camry Hybrid SiC Prototype.
The best commercial in this year’s Super Bowl won’t even take place during the game, but don’t worry, it will most certainly have cars. NBC Sports has released its advertisement ushering in the 2015 NASCAR season, and it does so with the unwavering Americanism of Nick Offerman – meat connoisseur, wood craftsman extraordinaire and Ron Swanson.
In “America, It’s Time For A Gut Check,” Offerman brings his usual comedy and machismo with one-liners like “Sure everybody at NASCAR gets a trophy/As long as they win the f***ing race” and “Where men and women compete together/Just like they did back in the 18-nevers.” AdWeek says that a 60-second version of the commercial will air immediately after the game, but you can see the full-length version right now. Trust me, it will be the best two minutes you’ll spend today, and you don’t have to be a NASCAR fan to get a kick out of it.
The true point of the ad, of course, is as a promotion for NBC Sports, which picks up coverage of the 2015 season starting on July 5.
Click past the jump to read more about the 2015 NASCAR Sprint Cup season.
As usual, this year’s Super Bowl Sunday will be packed with commercials in what is traditionally the biggest event of the year in American television. With each 30-second ad selling for a whopping $4.5 million on average, you can guess that Toyota paid a hefty amount for the inclusion of the above 60-second spot, which will apparently be accompanied by another one during the big game on Sunday.
Part of the "One Bold Choice Leads to Another" campaign for the 2015 Camry, the Toyota ad above features Paralympic medalist and Dancing with the Stars finalist Amy Purdy taking part in a lot of courageous feats for someone who has no legs. If that wasn’t inspiring enough for a well-made Super Bowl commercial, the entire footage of Purdy is set to Muhammad Ali’s infamous "How Great I Am" speech. As some of you know, the uplifting speech was made right before the "Rumble in the Jungle" boxing event in 1974, which Ali won by knockout against the then-undefeated world heavyweight champion George Foreman.
"We’re very proud of the message our commercial sends about not only making bold choices, but living a bold life, and Amy Purdy represents that in everything she does. Amy inspires us, and to have her make her Super Bowl commercial debut with Toyota is something we’re thrilled about," said Jack Hollis, group vice president of marketing, Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc. The ad will probably strike a chord with those who feel put down by life, but I’m not entirely sure that it will put the rather boring Camry in a more adventurous light. A Lexus or a sportier Toyota would have made a better subject, in my opinion.
It hadn’t been long since my first drive experience with the revised 2015 Toyota Camry. I spent a couple days along the northeastern edge of Florida’s sunny coastline driving every trim level the Camry had to offer. But recently a Camry showed up at my door, ready for a weeklong stint. Remembering back to my first drive experience, I knew the week would be full of pleasant, uneventful driving. This would especially be the case since the week’s loaner was fitted with the swanky XLE trim with near-Lexus levels of luxury.
The car also came loaded with options, including the 3.5-liter V-6, Blind Spot Monitoring, Rear Cross-Traffic Alert, the Entune infotainment system with seven-inch touchscreen, the Technology Package, illuminated door sills, and the rear spoiler.
The Camry proved to be a great fit for the week’s activities that including tooling around town, hauling kids in car seats, and taking a short two-hour road trip for a wedding. So how’d it do? Click past the jump for the rundown.
Click past the jump for more on the 2015 Toyota Camry
This is the coolest Camry you will ever see, hands down. From the outside, the inconspicuous four-door sedan looks just as normal as the next Camry in the parking lot. However, this one has a hidden secret. It rocks a supercharged 5.7-liter V-8 shot with wet nitrous, a six-speed automatic transmission, and the rear axle borrowed from a Toyota Tundra, all nestled within a tube frame chassis.
The only real identifier of this Camry’s high-horsepower potential is the massive 335-series Hoosier drag slicks perched under the rear end. Otherwise, the car somehow looks completely stock. Even the wheels are the standard fair. While the car hasn’t made a run yet, the Toyota engineers expect to see the quarter-mile pass by in 9.80 seconds.
“This Camry is the ultimate sleeper,” says Chuck Wade, Motorsports Technical Center Director. “It definitely has the element of surprise on its side and more than enough muscle to drop the hammer on any unsuspecting car that pulls up,” The Motorsports Technical Center is where all the magic took place over some 11 weeks under the watchful eye of Steve Appelbaum. “This is the most extreme build we’ve ever unveiled at SEMA,” he says.
Click past the jump to read more about the Toyota Camry Sleeper.
Toyota joined the NASCAR series in 2004, putting an end to a 44-year period in which the sport was restricted to American car makers. The Japanese automaker entered the truck series with the Tundra at first, but it joined the top-tier Sprint Cup Series with the Camry three years later. Although it has yet to win a championship in seven years as of 2014, the Camry has become increasingly competitive since its introduction, scoring many wins and attracting major teams and drivers. Toyota managed to finish the 2013 season in second place, ending the series above Ford and below Chevrolet with 14 wins out of 36 starts. You’ve gotta hand it to Toyota as it was only a few points away from becoming the first non-U.S. automaker to win the Sprint Cup since the series’ formation in 1949. As we get closer to the 2015 season, the Japanese manufacturer is introducing an update to the Camry race car, which follows a facelift launched for the road-legal sedan, the best-selling car in America for 12 straight years.
Naturally, the purpose of this update is to transfer the looks of the refreshed 2015 Camry onto the NASCAR track, and it brings no drivetrain improvements whatsoever, as all Gen-6 NASCAR models are built on the same underpinnings. Read on to find out what makes the 2015 Camry race car different when compared to its predecessor.
Click past the jump to read more about the 2015 Toyota Camry NASCAR Race Car.
The Toyota Camry has been in the U.S. since its humble beginnings in 1983. Humility didn’t linger around, however, as Camry sales grew to 128,000 units by 1985. By 1988, Toyota was building Camry sedans in its new factory in Kentucky. Ten years later, the Camry was already in its fourth generation. Now 32 years and eight generations after the original, the 2015 Camry is still experiencing sales growth and gaining popularity, but there is always room from improvement.
I spent two days getting a sneak peek at the redesigned 2015 Camry to see what Toyota has planned for this four-door family stalwart. Talking first hand with the designers reveals more attention to flashy styling and sportier looks. The engineering team mentions things about a more rigid body thanks to extra spot welds and a powertrain that continues without changes.
In general, the Camry is now aimed at a younger audience, somewhere in the mid-40 range. That’s not to say those on either side of the median age won’t find appeal in the car. That is especially true with the Camry’s new, sporty trim level: the XSE. A unique grille, bespoke 18-inch wheels, and upgraded interior materials separate it from LE, SE, and XLE trims. The hybrid version is still available with its Atkinson Cycle, 2.5-liter, inline four-cylinder. For those looking for some extra punch, the venerable 3.5-liter V-6 returns as well.
Click past the jump for the full review
The Toyota Camry is one of the hottest sedans out there, leading the sales category for sedans for the last 12 years. Being around since 1979, the Camry has been through a total of 10 generational changes with the most recent taking place in 2011. A refresh came just a couple years later, but for 2015, Toyota put the Camry through a redesign that is worthy of being the next generation. All told, the new Camry is more exciting to drive, has a quieter cabin, and is far more appealing to look at. Highlights include new fascias, new body panels all the way around, a newly designed grille, and new exterior lighting. Inside, the car got better materials and an inductive charger dock for properly equipped smartphones. Changes were limited to the interior and exterior, with the same drivetrain components carried over from the 2011 generational shift. That isn’t necessarily bad, though – all three engines perform well for what they are and offer pretty impressive fuel economy as well.
Needless to say, the Camry doesn’t exactly set any records on the race track. But, for what it is, it’s rather luxurious inside and offers upscale passenger comfort and predictable technology. Stepping into the sales discussion, Toyota has sold a total of 1,235,351 Camrys in the U.S., Canada, and Australia between the 2011 and 2013 model years. That’s pretty impressive, right? So will the heavily refreshed Camry ready to continue on where the 2014 model left off as one of the best-selling sedans in the world? Well take a look at our full review of the 2015 – 2016 Camry below to decide for yourself – it certainly won’t disappoint.
Updated 09/02/2014: Toyota announced prices for the 2015 Camry set to be put on sale in late September. Prices will range from $22,970 for the LE trim and up to $29,980 for the Hybrid XLE version. Details after the jump.
Click past the jump for the low down on the 2015 Toyota Camry
Okay, folks, the 2014 New York International Auto Show is in the books, and we saw more debuts than we could even keep up with. We saw all of the big boys come with at least one key addition to their lineups, but we also had a few misses. For example. we were hoping to see the Hellcat option for the Challenger and Charger, and some extra information on the next-gen Miata — not just a glimpse at its chassis — neither of which happened.
As with every year, we are set to bring you the best and worst of the NYIAS, but we’re changing things up a bit. This year, each of our esteemed staffers has chosen their favorite and least favorite of the show and let you know why they loved or hated each one — some of us even had complete opposite opinions. Included in the list below is the Dart-ized Charger, the even-more-retro Challenger, a concept from Land Rover and even a "dirt cheap" Aston Martin.
There were a lot of vehicles to choose from, and we may have missed one that you loved or hated. Let us know in the comments below what car you loved or hated the most from the 2014 NYIAS.
Click past the jump to read about our favorite and least favorite debuts in New York.
Do you want a Toyota Camry Hybrid that looks less boring? Toyota believes you do, and so for the 2014.5 lineup, Toyota is releasing the Camry Hybrid SE Limited Edition. This is the same 40-plus-mpg Camry Hybrid you know and love, but it has been given an extra dose of visual pizzazz, thanks to a full body kit that includes a unique front fascia, new headlamps, side rockers, rear bumper and valence, and a rear spoiler. The SE Limited Edition also comes with 17-inch wheels and low-profile tires.
If this looks like the perfect new car for you, you need to run to the dealership immediately, as Toyota says that only 5,000 of these will be built. Since it is based on the standard Camry SE, the SE Limited Edition Hybrid will be offered all the same great colors as the SE, but will feature unique badging to identify its significance.
I have a hard time believing that there is a huge market of buyers that were holding off on purchasing a Camry Hybrid based on looks alone, but Toyota is a multi-billion dollar organization and I am not. They probably know best.
The Camry Hybrid SE Limited Edition will carry a sticker price $27,845 — a $1,500 premium over the standard car — and it will be available with an upgrade package that adds a moonroof and the Display Audio stereo with Navigation. Price for the Upgrade package is $2,215.
Click past the jump to read more about the standard 2014 Toyota Camry Hybrid.
As the defending champions of the Toyota Dream Build Challenge, Kyle Busch Motorsports certainly has to live up to if it wants the title to stay in its garage. This year, Busch is taking a step down to let one of his NASCAR drivers pick up the mantle.
And so it is, Parker Kligerman takes the reigns from Busch and with the help of KBM, he worked on the 2013 Toyota Camry and plunged headfirst into giving it a rally look.
The car itself is billed as the CamRally, and true enough, Kligerman turned it into a true rally racer, complete with Toyota’s vintage red, orange and yellow racing color combination to go with a host of rally-oriented performance enhancements. HID driving lights from Lightforce were also installed on the sedan, while a unique window sheet material comes courtesy of 5-Star Racing Windows. And for that distinctive look, the CamRally sports a special logo designed exclusively for this model with Kligerman’s racing number 77 prominently featured on the logo.
Inside, the racing seats are rally-spec, as are closed racing windows, the standard roll cage, and heat protection, all of which adds functionality to the CamRally’s rally identity.
Performance upgrades were also part of the CamRally’s equation with Kligerman and KBM putting extra emphasis on giving the Camry a variety of engine modifications. Turbochargers have been added from Turbonetics with an intercooler system coming from Spearco. Intakes and an air filter are also new from Custom DSE and K&N, rounding out what’s looking like another winning program from Parker Kligerman and the folks from Kyle Busch Motorsports.
Click past the jump to read more about Parker Kligerman’s Toyota CamRally
NASCAR The Game: 2013 is the third installment of the popular PC game series, after the 2011 and Inside Line versions. The latest game was unveiled in the summer of 2013 and starting this week-end it received the final paint scheme DLC packs, ‘Summer Heat’ and ‘The Long Run to Homestead’.
With the new paint schemes, NASCAR The Game:2013 now offers a total of 80 alternate paint schemes for today’s hottest teams and drivers like Dale Earnhardt Jr., Kyle Busch, and Jimmie Johnson. Each paint scheme is grouped by race packs and is priced at $6.99.
The new NASCAR The Game:2013 is the perfect race game for any NASCAR fan out there and it puts the racers into the driver’s seat of America’s favorite motorsport. Players will enjoy the new Gen 6 model cars that supports an updated and enhanced paint booth tool. In the new game, players can take their own shot at being crowned the Sprint Cup Series Champion by starting a competitive season as a rookie and racing against their favorite drivers in career mode.
Click past the jump for a list of the entire NASCAR downloadable collection.
Toyota is coming back to this year’s SEMA Auto Show, and it’s bringing along the Dream Build Challenge for an encore run.
Last year, the competition was won by NASCAR racer Kyle Busch, who took home the title for his work on the 2013 Toyota Camry, or as he later on christened it: the Rowdy Camry.
This year, another NASCAR driver, Parker Kligerman, will team up with Kyle Busch Racing to be one of the four participants in the complete custom build of four unique Toyotas. In the case of Kligerman, he has the task of using another Camry and create a rally-inspired version that has been dubbed the "CamRally".
Meanwhile, freestyle skier Simon Dumont will be teaming up with Oakley to work on a Toyota 4Runner, or as it will be built and called, the "Ultimate Dream Ski 4Runner".
Representing the world of Supercross are a pair of the sports biggest stars, Justin Brayton and Josh Grant, both of whom will collaborate with Joe Gibbs Racing Motocross to build the "Let’s Go Moto Tundra" pickup.
And finally, BMX rider Drew Bezanzon has the Toyota Corolla all to himself. He’ll still get help from Skullcandy to build what we can only imagine to be an audio box on wheels, thus its aptly named handle, the "Corolla Crusher".
All four entries will be in attendance at the SEMA Auto Show where just like last year, the fans get to decide which build stands out ahead of the pack.
Click past the jump to read about last year’s winning build, the 2013 Toyota Camry Rowdy Edition by Kyle Busch
The 2013 Camry Hybrid takes the core Camry attributes to another level of sophistication and brilliance. Put simply, there are a thousand reasons why buying a new Camry has become a reflexive behavior for millions of Americans. Then again, there are more than a few nasty traits about the new Camry Hybrid, but none of them are deal-breakers for typical car shoppers.
So how has this Kentucky-bred Toyota dominated the sales charts for so long? It can’t simply be the bulletproof reliability, but that certainly helps. There are legendary mechanic’s anecdotes about running Camry engines that have never had an oil change in ten years, but keep humming along. For every whine about the Buick-style ride and handling, there are a million drivers who appreciate its anodyne driving style.
For 2013, the Camry Hybrid receives some interior enhancements, like softer plastics just a year after going on sale. With sales numbers above 350,000 units a year - every year - more than 50 new Camry’s will roll off the assembly line in just the next hour.
Please hit the jump for the full review of the 2013 Toyota Camry Hybrid.
Valentino Rossi is best known for being a seven-time MotoGP world champion, so his racing credentials on anything involving two wheels is pretty much unmatched.
But what happens when you put Rossi behind the wheel of a vehicle with four wheels? Well, we found out when the Italian speedster participated in a PR stunt with Kyle Bush that was organized by Monster Energy at the Charlotte Motor Speedway.
Rossi driving Busch’s Toyota Camry NASCAR racer seems like an odd team up, but anybody who knows Rossi understands the talent of this man and how he can handle anything you put in front of him, including a 650-horsepower V-8 stock car.
After a few practice laps, Rossi gunned the car and even posted an impressive top speed of 185 mph, good enough to put him in the middle of the field. Now, that’s pretty impressive.
Click past the jump to watch a video of Rossi’s run around the Charlotte Motor Speedway and read the quotes from Rossi and Busch after the event
One of the really cool things about watching NASCAR races, at least for those who are more into the aesthetic side of the proceedings, is checking out the sponsors for each team.
So, if anybody has ever wondered how these teams dress up their cars, Joe Gibbs Racing is here to provide you with the answer.
The solution is a vinyl wrap, which has been used by a growing number of racing teams to emblazon their respective sponsors’ logos. In the case of Kyle Busch and his No. 18 Toyota Camry NASCAR Sprint Cup race car, the sponsor is M&Ms, and if you didn’t know, the chocolate maker employs colorful branding.
So, the Joe Gibbs Racing Team decided to show us how they were able to turn the Camry from a bland matte black stock car to a certifiably colorful, ready-to-race machine. Check out the time-lapse video and watch how the magic unfolds. A normal procedure takes a little less than two hours. This video lasts for just over three minutes.
Well worth the watch.
Anytime you can add the word "rowdy" to the special edition tag of a car, there’s no reason why you shouldn’t do it.
That’s exactly what Kyle Busch and Detroit Speed & Engineering did to the Toyota Camry SE. Named after Busch’s "Rowdy" handle on the NASCAR circuit, the Rowdy Edition Camry was made to exude an abundance of style and substance.
There’s no denying that this Camry doesn’t look the part of a regular model, something Busch wanted to do to make the car stand out. Together with DSE, the Nascar driver decided to give the Camry SE a slew of body modifications, including the official "Rowdy" colors — red, white, and black — to go with a hand-formed, custom widebody kit; custom front and rear belly pans; DSE-designed and fabricated front air splitter and rear air diffuser; a custom, true dual exhaust system; and a new set of 18-inch Formula 43 RAD14 wheels wrapped in BF Goodrich G-Force Sport Comp 2 tires.
Inside, Busch and DSE made use of red and black leather Lexus IS F bucket seats while also adding an Advent Otocam3 DVD with rear-seat Michael Neighbors monitors.
Needless to say, Busch appears to be impressed with his body of work, calling the car something that "we should run at Daytona and Talladega.”
“Our approach to the build was to make a car with the stance, attitude and handling of a road-race car while retaining the functionality of a production Camry,” Busch adds.
The Rowdy Edition Camry will be going to the 2012 SEMA Auto Show as part of the Toyota Racing Dream Build Challenge. Together with its three other competitors — Clint Bowyer’s Tekked-Out Prius, Alexis DeJoria’s converted Tundra, and Antron Brown’s modified Sequoia — the car will vie for the title and the $50,000 check from Toyota that will go to the driver’s chosen charity, which, in the case of Busch, will be the Kyle Busch Foundation.
UPDATE 11/09/12: Big congratulations to Kyle Busch’s Toyota Camry Rowdy Edition for winning the Toyota Racing Dream Build Challenge at the 2012 SEMA Auto Show!
Toyota has announced a special edition Camry SE Sport Limited Edition which will arrive at Toyota dealers by Labor Day weekend. The new Camry will have a starting price of $25,995 and be offered in four exterior paints -Pearl White, Barcelona Red, Attitude Black and Blizzard Pearl - combined with a choice of black or black/ash interior. Models painted in Pearl White will only be built for three months starting on September 12, 2012 and ending on November 12, 2012.
The new Camry SE Sport edition will be offered with an impressive list of standard equipment, including 18" alloy wheels with a smoked finish, 8-way power seats, power sunroof, and a Display Audio (6.1-inch touchscreen) with Navigation and Entune.
The special edition Camry will also be offered exclusively with the revised 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine that delivers a total of 178 HP and 170 lb.-ft. of peak torque. The engine will be mated to a a six-speed automatic transmission.