Official 8th Generation (2018+) 010B Camry Discussion

[spwolf]

The M20A has already been tacitly confirmed for a handful of European RAV4s. Here are the pertinent passages from last month's Toyota Europe Newsroom RAV4 release for the 2018 Paris Motor Show:

Also in AU, but they will have it as base, with 2.5l going to most others... while europe really does not need 2.5l petrol at all, 2.0l will likely be there as low cost option.

 

[Motor]

Head over to the Toyota USA Facebook page if you want to see what the new TRD Camry & Avalon look like. They've posted two videos and featured the cars as their cover photo. No official specs until the LA Auto Show, of course.

 

[Joaquin Ruhi]

Head over to the Toyota USA Facebook page if you want to see what the new TRD Camry & Avalon look like. They've posted two videos and featured the cars as their cover photo. No official specs until the LA Auto Show, of course.

Here's the cover photo in question:

 

[Joaquin Ruhi]

Speaking of the Los Angeles Auto Show, I finally received an email with the full press conference schedule. As expected, no Lexus press conference, but Toyota will host one, on Wednesday 28 November, starting at 11:05 AM Pacific Time.

The highlight, of course, is the TRD versions of Camry and Avalon, as noted above (fingers crossed they're AWD), but there should be more, namely the already teased and announced Nightshade Special Editions of Camry and Highlander, 2019 Prius mid-life facelift with AWD option and, probably, the North American public debut of the 2020 Toyota Corolla sedan.

 

[Motor]

Here's the cover photo in question:

Thank you. Hopefully, Toyota practiced kaizen on the horsepower front.

 

[mikeavelli]

I'm already preferring the Avalon..didn't expect that...

 

[Joaquin Ruhi]

I'm already preferring the Avalon..didn't expect that...

I was liking the Camry better until I saw the rear in one of the videos:

Not a fan of that overly boy-racer wing at all. Here's hoping it's optional, and that the Avalon is spared from that atrocity.

 

[Gecko]

Yuck.

It could just be early builds, but it seems to me like Avalon TRD is based on the XSE and Camry TRD is based on the SE. TRDs should have been based on Camry XSE and Avalon Touring, IMO, as a top trim. I would not pay extra for a car like this and then not get things like JBL audio, HUD, etc.

Personally, I'd rather have Avalon Touring or Camry XSE... I hate how Toyota makes you choose either sporty driving or luxury features, and those two trims do a nice job of combining luxury and sport.

 

[spwolf]

I was liking the Camry better until I saw the rear in one of the videos:

Not a fan of that overly boy-racer wing at all. Here's hoping it's optional, and that the Avalon is spared from that atrocity.

it is likely optional accessory... but if the vehicle had AWD, wouldnt toyota show a badge somewhere? They usually do it.

 

[Joaquin Ruhi]

it is likely optional accessory...

I hope you're right...

but if the vehicle had AWD, wouldn't Toyota show a badge somewhere? They usually do it.

I've been thinking that as well, unless Toyota decides to equate their TRD models with AWD and skip the separate AWD badge. I'm already mentally preparing for the worst (FWD and a suite of cosmetic and chassis mods, as opposed to the Toyota rival to the AWD Ford Fusion Sport I'd been hoping for).

 

[ssun30]

I would not pay extra for a car like this and then not get things like JBL audio, HUD, etc.

Personally, I'd rather have Avalon Touring or Camry XSE... I hate how Toyota makes you choose either sporty driving or luxury features, and those two trims do a nice job of combining luxury and sport.

Well they got away with doing exactly that to their premium brand. They definitely could do the same for TRDs and nobody can stop them. Even on the TRD Pro they think people are just for the skid plate and roof racks and don't mind losing KDSS, a key off-road feature! Cutting costs while hoarding more profit? Sounds right.

It makes some sense if their goal is to keep price down. People nowadays are more than happy to pay almost $50k for trucks and SUVs with black wheels. They are not very likely to even think about $40k on a Camry, so costs need to be cut somewhere.

 

[Gecko]

AWD is next year.

 

[Motor]

I'm already mentally preparing for the worst (FWD and a suite of cosmetic and chassis mods, as opposed to the Toyota rival to the AWD Ford Fusion Sport I'd been hoping for).

Let's not beat a dead horse and ignore the Fusion.

As for the TRD Camry/Avalon, I feel the same way. A pleasant surprise would be to find out that they're supercharged. I'm going to assume that both cars are nothing more than XSE+'s with the TRD parts catalogue thrown at them.

 

[spwolf]

Let's not beat a dead horse and ignore the Fusion.

As for the TRD Camry/Avalon, I feel the same way. A pleasant surprise would be to find out that they're supercharged. I'm going to assume that both cars are nothing more than XSE+'s with the TRD parts catalogue thrown at them.

there is nothing wrong with F-Sport model - suspension and look updates. It is what germans have been doing for years with AMG Line/S Line /M Sport lines.

 

[Motor]

 

[Ian Schmidt]

That's the kind of marketing they should be doing for the new RC (and should have been doing for the GSF and ISF).

 

[ssun30]

Avalon launched in China. FAW still doesn't unveil its official name. Maybe they are still having a hard time deciding between a direct transliteration (which is consistent with the rest of their lineup) and the rumored 'Asian Dragon' name.

The 'Asian Dragon' name has been confirmed by FTMS official website.
http://www.ftms.com.cn/Activity/avalon-warm-up-3rd/

The rumored 2.0L trim will not be available, which makes sense considering every competitor in the segment has at least a 2.5 or 1.8T engine. A 2.0 will encroach too much into Camry's territory.

 

[mikeavelli]

https://www.caranddriver.com/news/2...c=socialflowFBCAD&utm_campaign=socialflowFBCD

No more power but tons of braces and new springs and bigger brakes. Different interior touches too

 

[Motor]

Toyota Racing Development Turns Up Heat for Camry and Avalon
https://pressroom.toyota.com/releases/toyota+racing+development+turns+up+heat+camry+avalon.htm

• Toyota’s First-Ever Camry TRD and Avalon TRD

• Track-Tuned Chassis Upgrades

• Aggressive Cat-Back Dual Exhaust

• Exclusive Matte-Black 19-Inch Alloy Wheels

• Calty-Designed Aero kit

• Unique TRD Interior Trim

• Limited Availability

Toyota is once again bringing its racing pedigree to the road as it unveils the Camry TRD and Avalon TRD, two sedans with an appetite for curves and a distinct exhaust note bristling with attitude. With aero-enhanced styling by Calty, Toyota’s U.S. design studio, and chassis performance fortified by Toyota Racing Development (TRD), these revved-up Camry and Avalon models are the track-tuned sedans that enthusiasts have been asking for.

Many Toyota enthusiasts already know the equity behind the TRD badge seen on the brand’s hardcore, off-road-ready pickups and SUVs. Conquering the Baja, however, is just one of many feats won by TRD vehicles across the motorsports spectrum. Now, TRD brings its track tuning to sedans that blend greater agility, precision and body control with attention-grabbing design and everyday drivability.

When Toyota introduced the new-generation 2018 Camry, sales of the sporty SE and XSE versions spiked. A year later, Toyota introduced the all-new 2019 Avalon, which came in an available XSE grade for the first time ever. These sedans are stylish and fun to drive. And Toyota is pushing the limit even further with Camry TRD and Avalon TRD, both with greater track-inspired handling performance and styling. These models include all standard content from the Camry SE grade and Avalon XSE grade, combined with exclusive TRD chassis enhancements and tuning.

Camry TRD and Avalon TRD will both be model year 2020 and available in fall 2019.

Roaring to Go

The new Camry TRD and Avalon TRD embody TRD’s holistic approach to vehicle enhancement. Notably, both are powered by Toyota’s renowned 301 horsepower DOHC 3.5-liter V6 and 8AT with sport mode and paddle shifters. The V6 breathes easier with a specially-tuned cat-back dual exhaust, giving both models a throatier idle and acceleration sound.

“Track-tuned” means exactly that. TRD engineers developed the dynamic characteristics through extensive testing at Toyota Arizona Proving Ground, TMC Higashi-Fuij Proving Ground (Japan), and MotorSport Ranch (Texas).

Thicker underbody braces increase torsional rigidity and unique coil springs lower both vehicles by 0.6 inches for a reduced center of gravity. Specially tuned shock absorbers and 19 x 8.5 inch matte black alloy wheels complete a suspension package that improves body control, handling agility, and steering precision. The front brakes are larger with 12.9-inch diameter rotors and dual-piston calipers compared to 12.0-inch rotors and single piston calipers found on XSE grades. Brake performance was also tuned to provide more direct feedback, matching the sporty dynamics of the vehicle.

Calty gave both models striking aero elements, taking advantage of the edgier designs of the new-generation Camry and Avalon and aggressive stance of the TRD-modified chassis. The aerodynamic body kit, which includes the front splitter, side aero skirts, trunk lid spoiler, and rear diffuser, blends a bold styling element and improves high speed vehicle stability to aid in driver confidence. Add that with the red pinstriping, red painted brake calipers, and red TRD badging and both sedans have a road-hungry look.

These TRD sedans will continue to deliver all the quality, dependability, and reliability that is synonymous with Toyota. Both models will come standard with Toyota Safety Sense-P, a suite of advanced driver-assist technologies, among these Pre-Collision Braking.

Camry TRD

Toyota’s commitment to enthusiast drivers is apparent in the level of detail that TRD and Calty poured into these models.

On Camry TRD, the matte-black 19 x 8.5-inch alloy wheels are a half-inch wider, yet 3.1 pounds lighter (each) than the 19 x 8.0-inch alloy wheels on the XSE grade. Paired with standard Bridgestone Potenza 235/40R19 summer tires, this combination reduces unsprung mass, increases lateral grip, and quickens turn-in response.

Camry’s chassis is further enhanced with stiffer coil springs and front/rear sway bars for increased roll stiffness of 44% in the front and 67% in the rear. To compliment spring changes, a unique set of TRD shock absorbers were developed to control vehicle vertical and roll movement while maintaining on-road TRD ride quality.

In addition to the TRD aero body features, Camry TRD wears a unique gloss black front grille with sport mesh insert and black exterior badging. Available colors include the appropriately dramatic Supersonic Red, Windchill Pearl, Celestial Silver Metallic -- all three of which are two-toned -- and Midnight Black Metallic. Polished stainless steel TRD exhaust tips on the catback exhaust complete the exterior makeover.

Inside, the Camry TRD driver will be seeing red – in the trim, that is. The cabin is decked out with Black Sport SofTex®-trimmed front seats with fabric inserts, red accents and red-stitched TRD embroidered headrests. The leather-wrapped steering wheel also has red stitching, and even the seatbelts are red. A shift knob with an embossed TRD logo, along with unique TRD floor and trunk mats, and a TRD MID visual start up complete the cabin upgrades.

Avalon TRD

TRD’s modifications work the same magic on the Avalon as they do on the Camry. Avalon TRD gets Black Sport SofTex-trimmed heated front seats with Ultra-suede inserts and red accents. It also gets red-stitched TRD embroidered headrests, a leather-wrapped steering wheel with red stitching, red seatbelts, a shift knob with an embossed TRD logo, and unique TRD floor and trunk mats.

The matte-black 19 x 8.5-inch alloy wheels reduce 18 pounds of unsprung mass compared to the 19-inch wheels on the 2019 Avalon XSE. As on Camry TRD, the unbridled tone of the 301-hp V6 bellows through stainless steel TRD exhaust tips. The red pinstriping on the aero body elements, and the red seatbelts and accents complete Avalon TRD’s styling.

Avalon TRD will be available in Supersonic Red, Windchill Pearl, Celestial Silver Metallic and Midnight Black Metallic.

TRD and F are supposed run parallel to one another, correct? A bump in power would have been nice.

 

[Gecko]

TRD is probably more comparable to F Sport, if we're honest. F had some dedicated models... TRD is more accessories and kits.