2018 Toyota Camry Spied: Normalness in a New Generation

[gymratter]

A new platform sheds weight from the next Camry.

What It Is: One heavily concealed prototype of the all-new 2018 Toyota Camry sedan.

Why It Matters: Sales for mid-size sedans like the Toyota Camry, Honda Accord, and others may have waned a bit as crossovers rise in popularity, but the quietly competent Camry remains wildly popular among consumers. With more than 429,000 of them sold last year, the Camry is not only the bestselling Toyota model, it’s the bestselling passenger car in the USA. So yeah, it matters.

A new platform sheds weight from the next Camry.

What It Is: One heavily concealed prototype of the all-new 2018 Toyota Camry sedan.

Why It Matters: Sales for mid-size sedans like the Toyota Camry, Honda Accord, and others may have waned a bit as crossovers rise in popularity, but the quietly competent Camry remains wildly popular among consumers. With more than 429,000 of them sold last year, the Camry is not only the bestselling Toyota model, it’s the bestselling passenger car in the USA. So yeah, it matters.

Platform: The Camry will ride on Toyota’s new TNGA modular platform that made its production debut with the 2016 Prius and which will provide the basis for about half of Toyota’s vehicles by decade’s end. The TNGA bits have done wonders to tidy up the Prius’s dynamics, so we’re cautiously optimistic for the Camry when it makes the switch as well. Weight-reduction measures also are part of the plan, and we’ve heard that aluminum is being used for the hood and sundry other places in the structure.

Obviously, this prototype doesn’t reveal much about the new production car, except that it has four wheels, some windows, and panels that tape can stick to. But the proportions look familiar; given the Camry’s leadership position in the marketplace, don’t expect the design to take too many risks. We will probably see an evolution of Toyota’s recent Angry Birds front-end styling as seen on the refreshed 2017 Corolla, a theory supported by some strong bumper contours we can make out beneath the camouflage. One interesting aspect of the new car is a dropped shoulder line beneath large side windows, bucking the industry trend of thick-waisted bodies and slit-like windows. The low shoulder appears to extend all the way back while the roof and C-pillars drape down into a flat, tapering trunk. Other noteworthy details are the low, broad chin, door-mounted side mirrors, and taillamps that mimic those of the Avalon.

Powertrain: As with most other recently redesigned mid-size sedans, it’s likely that the next-generation Camry will offer only four-cylinder engines. A naturally aspirated four-cylinder will serve as the base engine—possibly an updated version of today’s 2.5-liter engine—and, as previously reported, a derivative of the turbocharged 2.0-liter found in the Lexus NX200 crossover will replace the venerable 3.5-liter V-6 as the uplevel powerplant. The Camry hybrid again will be offered for the eco-conscious.

A TRD-tuned version is less certain, but such a model would take on Ford’s new, 325-hp Fusion Sport. Early last year, Toyota brass suggested that as part of an expansion of TRD’s role in the company, such a thing could appear in 2016, and a tasty SEMA concept provided a nice idea of how that version might look. No such Camry model has been offered previously.

Competition: Honda Accord, Mazda 6, Nissan Altima, Chevrolet Malibu, Hyundai Sonata, Ford Fusion.

Estimated Arrival and Price: The 2018 Camry will be ready for mass consumption sometime in 2017. Given the Camry’s preeminence in the U.S. market, it would make sense for it to make its official debut at America’s preeminent auto show, Detroit North American International Auto Show in January. Prices likely will not rise much, if at all, from the Camry’s current low-$20K to mid-$30K price range, as straying too far upward would threaten Toyota’s sales supremacy.

http://www.caranddriver.com/news/201...py-photos-news




Renderings

[turtlefeeder]

more fish face from Toyota xD

[Tcoat]

Originally Posted by turtlefeeder

more fish face from Toyota xD

They really are into that croppy nose thing as well.

[FX86]

Originally Posted by Tcoat

They really are into that croppy nose thing as well.

[DAEMANO]

With exception to the silver render a couple posts up, I actually think Toyota is on the right track. Still, it'll take a few years to dial in their new design approach (much like they've done with Lexus). It's important to remember that Toyota is trying to re-energize itself from the soulless but reliable tri-boxes of the 90's and early aughts. Stylistically they're looking to the future while still trying to retain some sense of the organic.

To my eye, the worst fish faces come from the manic grins produced by Mazda.



In the meanwhile Honda seems to think looking towards the future involves tacky oversized everything. In my mind Honda's designs are heading to the 1950's on a downhill slope wearing rocket skates.

[Tcoat]

Originally Posted by DAEMANO

With exception to the silver render a couple posts up, I actually think Toyota is on the right track. Still, it'll take a few years to dial in their new design approach (much like they've done with Lexus). It's important to remember that Toyota is trying to re-energize itself from the soulless but reliable tri-boxes of the 90's and early aughts. Stylistically they're looking to the future while still trying to retain some sense of the organic.

To my eye, the worst fish faces come from the manic grins produced by Mazda.



In the meanwhile Honda seems to think looking towards the future involves tacky oversized everything. In my mind Honda's designs are heading to the 1950's on a downhill slope wearing rocket skates.

But mazdas looked so happy for so long. Almost toooo happy if you know what I mean

[FX86]

Originally Posted by Tcoat

But mazdas looked so happy for so long. Almost toooo happy if you know what I mean

they were on drugs for a decade...now they are experiencing withdrawal symptoms

[Tcoat]

Originally Posted by FX86

they were on drugs for a decade...now they are experiencing withdrawal symptoms

Or worse drugs.

[FX86]

Originally Posted by Tcoat

Or worse drugs.

on the other hand the new 86 looks like it tasted something nasty

[vh_supra26]

We may have just got our first look at the upcoming 2018 Toyota Camry thanks to NASCAR's close tie-up with the automaker.

During a recent presentation with drivers, a Camry NASCAR was displayed on stage sporting a heavily-revised front fascia compared to the current car, revealing a much more aggressive and in-your-face design.

Of course, the styling adopted by NASCAR entrants slightly exaggerates those of the road cars they're inspired by but even still, some significant differences are apparent. For starters, completely revised headlights are fitted with three L-shaped LED daytime running lights incorporated into each headlight cluster.

Additionally, the 2018 Camry's grille is vastly different to the outgoing model and reminiscent in shape to the spindle grille used by Lexus. Additionally, a new set of air intakes draw further attention to the front-end.

Compared to the current model, the 2018 Camry will be drastically lighter thanks to its use of the company's modular TNGA platform. Powertrain details are sketchy but a hybrid version is inevitable as is a four-cylinder aided by a turbocharger. A naturally-aspirated 3.5-liter V6 should continue to power high-end models.

http://www.carscoops.com/2016/09/has...n-of-2018.html

[DAEMANO]

Originally Posted by Tcoat

But mazdas looked so happy for so long. Almost toooo happy if you know what I mean

Seriously... this was just plain manic and slightly terrifying.

[Cole]

Originally Posted by DAEMANO

With exception to the silver render a couple posts up, I actually think Toyota is on the right track. Still, it'll take a few years to dial in their new design approach (much like they've done with Lexus). It's important to remember that Toyota is trying to re-energize itself from the soulless but reliable tri-boxes of the 90's and early aughts. Stylistically they're looking to the future while still trying to retain some sense of the organic.

To my eye, the worst fish faces come from the manic grins produced by Mazda.

[IMG]http://pictures.topspeed.com/IMG/crop/201609/mazda-mx-5-miata-sup-7_600x0w.jpg[IMG]

In the meanwhile Honda seems to think looking towards the future involves tacky oversized everything. In my mind Honda's designs are heading to the 1950's on a downhill slope wearing rocket skates.

[IMG]http://st.motortrend.com/uploads/sites/5/2015/10/2016-Honda-Civic-Touring-rear-three-quarter-in-motion-04.jpg[IMG]

Indeed.

I like what Toyota is trying to do, but as you said, they need to iron it all out. I remember when Lexus did their redesigns with the giant grilles. I hated them at first, but they look great now.

[FX86]

[Hot-Lava_Dave]

Can't wait to get my ass kicked on the road by these.....