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2012 Toyota Camry On Sale In Australia

Toyota's all-new 2012 Camry is now on sale in Australia, starting at $30,490 for the entry-level Altise variant and topping out at $39,990 for the top-shelf Camry Atara SL.

The local launch of the new Australian-built Camry follows its global u

Mike Stevens

02:0707 December 2011

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2012 Toyota Camry On Sale In Australia

Toyota's all-new 2012 Camry is now on sale in Australia, starting at $30,490 for the entry-level Altise variant and topping out at $39,990 for the top-shelf Camry Atara SL.

The local launch of the new Australian-built Camry follows its global unveiling in August, when details for the Australian-delivered model were first revealed.

Featuring an all-new platform and sharper styling, Toyota promises improved performance and fuel consumption for the 2012 Camry range.

The local line-up also features a trio of new variants dubbed Atara - Hebrew for "crown," but also a derivation of the Japanese word "atarashii," which means "new".

The Atara models replace the Ateva (Atara S), Sportivo (Atara SX) and the Grande (Atara SL) variants that were offered with the outgoing Camry range.

Mechanical Package

In Australia, the 2012 Camry range is driven by a 2.5 litre four-cylinder petrol engine producing 133kW and 231Nm of torque. The new engine replaces the outgoing model's 117kW 2.4 litre unit.

The new petrol engine is mated to a brand-new six-speed automatic transmission, and in the case of the three Atara variants, there is also a pair of wheel-mounted paddle shifters.

Fuel consumption figures for the new engine are listed at 7.8 l/100km, marking an improvement of around 1.0 l/100km (depending on the variant). In real terms, Toyota says the new figures could add as much as 100 kilometres of travel to one tank of petrol.

The Japanese carmaker's bean-counters ran the figures even further, and arrived at a saving of $150 million over the new Camry's expected lifespan, based on the number of Camry owners right now and a fuel price of $1.40 per litre.

Toyota says the new Camry's body structure has been developed with a focus on rigidity, and there is also a new front and rear suspension design.

No exterior sheetmetal is shared with the current-generation Camry, and around 90 percent of the 2012 Camry's components are new.

For Toyota, the new Camry is also the first model to feature the company's new Electric Power Steering control system.

There are additional sound-absorbing devices in areas where noticeable sounds can enter the cabin, developed witha focus on suppressing noises that are near the frequencies of human speech, creating an environment more suited to quiet conversation.

Features

The entry-level Altise is equipped with 16-inch alloy wheels, a trip computer and an upgraded sound system with six speakers and controls on the steering wheel.

The Atara range opens with the Atara S, featuring foglamps, 17-inch alloys, smart entry and smart start, reversing camera, dual-zone air-conditioning, 6.1-inch touch-screen display audio, premium steering wheel and gearshift knob and an electric driver's seat with lumbar support.

The Atara SX gains sports suspension, a unique rear bumper and lip spoiler, sports pedals, black-tinted headlights and sports leather-accented interior.

The top-shelf Atara SL picks up JBL premium audio with 10 speakers, a 7-inch touch-screen display with satellite navigation, digital radio, RDS live traffic updates, reversing camera with back-guide monitor, blind-spot monitor, automatic high beam, electric front seats and rain-sensing wipers.

All grades in the Camry range are now equipped with USB, iPod and Bluetooth audio-streaming connectivity.

Safety features include seven airbags - including a driver's knee airbag for the first time - and all five seats have a seatbelt warning indicator.

Active safety systems include vehicle stability control, traction control and ABS with electronic brake-force distribution and brake assist.

There is also Toyot's new brake override system, which gives priority to the brakes if the brake and accelerator pedals are pressed simultaneously.