The all-new 2018 Toyota Camry has been revealed overnight at the Detroit Motor Show and Toyota claims “it almost isn’t fair”… 

TOYOTA IS TALKING big about its all-new 2018 Camry which will arrive Down Under towards the very end of this year (Camry production in Australia will finish this year). Indeed, Toyota, at the unveiling of the new Camry said, “the best-selling car in America for the past 15 years (and one of the best in Australia for the same period), is about to ruffle some feathers. The eighth-generation sedan has gone through a total evolution, from a proven, dependable and safe car to one that also possesses a more exciting and emotional character, thanks to its newfound sporty performance and style”.

The new Camry is built on Toyota’s new TNGA, or Toyota New Global Architecture sitting on what it calls the GA-K platform. It gets a brand-new engine and transmission.

“The all-new 2018 Camry is, without a doubt, the most captivating mid-size sedan we’ve ever produced,” said Bob Carter, Toyota US senior vice president of automotive operations.  “It delivers on everything Camry owners have come to expect… and adds to it, jaw-dropping design, more advanced technology, cutting-edge safety systems, and stirring performance that raises it to an unparalleled level of excitement.”  

“In order to create something that stirs people’s soul, we’ve laid out the concept of a new sedan that provides fun and excitement behind the wheel,” said Masato Katsumata, the Chief Engineer of the new Camry. “In developing the next-generation Toyota Camry, we were able to start with a clean slate, which allowed us to create a true driver’s car.” See, big talk.

Designed using Toyota’s Keen Look design language, the new Camry looks sleeker than the current model with lower hip points, meaning it should be easier to swing in and out of the front and back seats, it’s also around four centimetres shorter than the current Camry.

“Striking character lines around and along the body augment the aggressive front and rear fenders, giving the reimagined Camry a sportiness that’s never before been perceived on this model,” Toyota said.

The interior too has been redesigned and Toyota claims it’s improved the quality of the materials used inside the cabin and employed the “highest grade soft touch and premium materials”.

The front and rear seats have been redesigned to provide improved ergonomics, but we’ll reserve judgement on this until we sit in it. Improved ergonomics on a car that’s predominantly focused at Americans could mean, the seats are broader and flatter…

There’s a new 8.0-inch infotainment and communications system and, depending on the model, a 10-inch colour head-up display, there’s also a 7.0-inch multi-information display between the analogue gauges behind the steering wheel.

The new Camry will be available with three engines, a 3.5-litre V6 and a new 2.5-litre four-cylinder (this one is most likely for Australia) and a new hybrid variant. The two internal combustion engines will be mated to a new eight-speed automatic transmission. The hybrid gets a CVT with simulated six-speed shift points in Sport mode. Toyota claims it will provide Prius like efficiency around town.

The new Camry will offer a raft of active and passive safety systems, including Pre-Collision System with Pedestrian Detection (PCS w/PD), Full-Speed Range Dynamic Radar Cruise Control (DRCC), Lane Departure Alert with Steering Assist (LDA w/SA); and Automatic High Beams (AHB). Select models will also come with standard Blind Spot Monitor (BSM) with Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA). This will be standard on US models.

 All 2018 Camry’s have 10 airbags and both stability and traction controls Electronic Brake-force Distribution, Brake Assist, Anti-lock Braking System, and Smart Stop Technology. All Camry’s also come equipped with a standard reversing camera.

The US will get the Camry in its summer with its cars built locally. Here in Australia, our new Camry will come out of Japan and we’ll have to wait until Toyota’s local Camry factory grinds to a halt later this year. Pricing and final specs will be released closer to the local launch.

Question: Has the Camry had its day? Has our love of SUVs and their alleged practicality confined sedans like it to pages of history?