August 28, 2001

2002 Toyota Camry XLE Click image to enlarge

Preview:
2002 Toyota Camry

Across the board changes revitalize popular sedan

All-new for 2002, the fifth-generation Toyota Camry has a new base four cylinder engine, a new platform, a roomier interior, improved handling and ride, less interior noise, more safety features, and - hold onto your hats - a lower price when compared with comparably-equipped 2001 models.

"Using six development priorities, we've made significant improvements to Camry across the board," said Kosaku Yamada, Camry chief engineer, Toyota Motor Corporation. "We targeted bolder styling; a larger interior with more room and better functional use of space; and a new level of quiet and comfort, including best-in-class aerodynamics and major improvements to reduction of noise, vibration and harshness. Balanced, dynamic performance, including improvements to ride comfort, handling and responsiveness, was an important goal, as was world-class safety performance. Finally, we were determined to provide a whole new range of upscale standard and optional equipment to create a truly outstanding value in this segment."

As well, Yamada's team redefined the Camry lineup, creating a wider diversity between trim levels based on owner preferences and tastes. For 2002, the volume-selling LE (formerly CE) is equipped with a higher level of features favoured by customers. The Camry XLE provides more upscale amenities, and a new model, the SE, has been added. The SE offers a sportier style, including a specifically tuned suspension for a firmer ride, more controlled steering and more precise handling.

New four cylinder engine

2002 Toyota Camry XLE Click an image to enlarge

Under the Camry's new sheet metal is an all-new 2.4-litre, 16-valve, 4-cylinder engine with dual balance shafts and Toyota's Variable Valve Timing with intelligence (VVT-i). This new powerplant generates 157 horsepower at 5,600 rpm, 21 more horsepower than the previous 2.2 litre 4-cylinder engine, and 162 lb/ft of torque at 4,000 rpm.

As before, the 2002 Camry is also offered with a 3.0 litre quad-cam V6 which produces 192 horsepower at 5,300 rpm and 209 lb/ft of torque at 4,400 rpm. Both engines are clean enough to certify the Camry as an Ultra Low Emissions Vehicle (ULEV).

Toyota's preliminary zero-to-60 mph time for the Camry equipped with the V6 is 8.3 seconds, an improvement of nearly half a second. Zero-to-60 performance for the new four-cylinder engine is improved by over one second with the manual transmission clocked at 9.1 seconds, 9.9 for the automatic.

Most Camry models are equipped with a new electronically-controlled, 4-speed automatic transmission with intelligence (4ECT-i) while the 4-cylinder LE sedan comes with a standard 5-speed manual overdrive transmission or optional four-speed automatic.

Better brakes and anti-skid control

For 2002, all V6, and SE and XLE four-cylinder models will be equipped with four-wheel disc brakes, while the four-cylinder LE model offers discs in the front and drums in the rear. An anti-lock braking System (ABS) with electronic brake force distribution (EBD) is standard on Camry XLE and all V6 models, and optional on the LE. These latter systems work together to prevent wheel lockup and maintain good directional stability and braking on slippery surfaces.

For 2002, Vehicle Skid Control (VSC) with Brake Assist is optional on the XLE V6 and SE V6. VSC uses throttle intervention plus the ABS actuators and sensors to help maintain stability under adverse road conditions. The system's traction control helps reduce tire slippage, and Brake Assist detects emergency braking and subtly applies supplemental line pressure to maximize the effectiveness of the ABS.

Retuned suspension

The Camry's front suspension is equipped with MacPherson struts that decrease suspension noise through the use of springs, shocks and anti-sway bar with separate upper bearing points on the inner fender. The rear suspension is similar to the front with the addition of dual lower control arms which increase stability and minimize camber change.

2002 Toyota Camry SE Click an image to enlarge

For a firmer ride and more precise handling, the SE's suspension is tuned with higher spring and shock damping rates, and a front strut bar reinforces the upper shock mounts for a more stable geometry.

The Camry's new body structure features a new engine mounting system which provides increased rigidity around the sub-frame mounting points of the engine bay. This increases the accuracy of the suspension geometry as well as reducing noise, vibration and harshness (NVH) transmitted to the cabin through the engine mounts. The new motor mount layout is used on both the 4-cylinder and V6 engines.

Roomier interior

The additional space in the Camry's interior permits a greater range of seat positions for the front occupants. As well, rear passengers gain 36 mm (1.5 inches) of legroom and all occupants have more head and shoulder-room. The rear seat offers both a 60/40 split fold-down feature and a new, wider armrest.

XLE and SE Camrys have new 8-way power front bucket seats with enhanced lumbar support. The front seats are an all-new design that is more comfortable and more supportive, with enhanced structural integrity for added safety. Later in the model year, the Camry will feature new power adjustable floor pedals. The brake and accelerator pedals adjust forward and back at the touch of a button located on the lower left instrument panel. This allows smaller drivers to position their seats relative to the steering wheel while their feet maintain sufficient reach to the floor pedals.

A redesigned instrumentation cluster integrates the fuel and temperature gauges into the speedometer and tachometer making them both more compact and easier to read at a glance. A silver metal background on the SE's instrumentation enhances that model's sporty image.

The LE and SE are outfitted with a 6-speaker AM/FM/Cassette/CD stereo, while the XLE receives premium JBL audio equipment with eight speakers and in-dash 6-CD changer. The JBL system is available as an option on the Camry SE and XLE.

Just above the audio system is a new multi-information display. On LE and SE, this includes a seatbelt warning light, clock and temperature gauge. To this, the XLE adds readouts that indicate current and cumulative fuel consumption, driving range, average speed, elapsed time and driving time. On the XLE V6, the driver selects the display items with easy-access switches on the tilt-adjust steering wheel.

The 2001 Camry is already one of the quietest cars on the market, but Toyota engineers have reduced interior noise and vibration even more by the use of structural adhesives and spot welding in strategic locations, plus foam inside the A, B and C pillars. There are cowl stiffeners and asphalt sheeting, curved floor panels, and stiffeners across the rear parcel shelf, under the rear seats and in the spare tire well.

Improved structural and passive safety features

2002 Toyota Camry LE Click an image to enlarge

The new platform of the 2002 Camry offers improved crash protection. Front, offset front, and side impact protection is provided with pre-cut steel panels that create multiple crush zones. These buckle to absorb impact energy while helping to minimize cabin deformation. A reinforced upper cabin frame, reinforced rocker support at all four window pillars, as well as massive door beams help maintain cabin integrity during a collision.

Inside, lower legs are further protected by a new anti-intrusion brake pedal that moves inward during impact and a crushable foot rest that collapses, ensuring more room for feet and legs.

Added impact protection is provided by dual front airbags, which are now controlled in multiple stages determined by the severity of the crash forces. The multi-stage driver side airbag deploys based on information from the impact and seat position sensors. It releases at a faster rate (high stage) or slower rate (low stage) for medium and large-sized occupants, depending on impact severity. It deploys at low or extra-low stage for smaller occupants, again depending on the force of the collision.

The front passenger airbag is controlled in two stages, "faster" or "softer", depending on the impact force. The XLE is also equipped with standard seat-mounted side airbags and curtain-shield airbags that protect both front and rear occupants from contact with the body pillars and side glass in a side impact. The left and right side airbags are triggered separately, from sensors located in the B pillars, depending on the direction of the impact.

Two new safety features are the child restraint system consisting of two lower anchor brackets and three (ISO-FIX) strap anchors, and a glow-in-the-dark internal trunk release handle. More safety is provided with child protector rear door locks and three-point seatbelts in all seating positions.

2002 Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Prices

Suggested retail prices for the 2002 Camry, released August 15th, are as follows: the 4-cylinder, 5-speed manual 2002 Camry LE has an MSRP of $23,755, over $800 less than the 2001 Camry CE "Plus" which it replaces. The 4-cylinder automatic Camry LE starts at $24,800, over $700 less than the 2001 Camry CE "Plus" equipped with an automatic transmission.

The new Camry LE V6 will have a starting MSRP of $26,995, over $2,100 less than the 2001 CE V6 Extra Value Package. The luxurious Camry XLE V6 receives more standard equipment for 2002 which adds over $3,000 in upgraded features compared with 2001 but increases the MSRP by only $690 to $32,570.

The 2002 Camry will be available at Toyota dealers early in September. See www.Toyota.ca for more details.

2002 Toyota Camry standard and optional equipment

Camry LE:

Air conditioning
Cruise control
Programmable power door locks
Power windows with driver-side auto-down
Colour-keyed heated power outside mirrors
Full-sized spare tire
Storage compartments and cup holders
Rear window defogger
Front map lights
Outside temperature gauge
Keyless entry system
Engine immobilizer
Added features on the XLE include: Power front seats
Automatic climate control
Anti-theft system
Homelink garage door opener
Auto-dimming mirror with compass
Chrome side moldings and inside door handles
Wood grain trim
The sporty SE is also equipped with: Fog lights
Blacked-out grille
Rear spoiler
Black headlight masking
Leather-wrapped 3-spoke steering wheel and shift lever
Brushed aluminum interior trim
16-inch alloy and unique suspension tuning

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