Special Edition Camry Package Unveiled at Atlanta Auto Show

ATLANTA, March 12 -- The fifth-generation Toyota Camry has become the platinum standard in midsize family sedans by offering more of everything sedan buyers want -- room, comfort, performance, safety and value -- along with award-winning Toyota quality. For 2003, additional accolades such as aggressive styling, sporty appearance and "cool" will now be possible with the Camry Special Edition Performance Package introduced today at the Atlanta Auto Show.

"Camry has come to define what a family sedan should be," said Ken Czubay, Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC, president. "Its continuing success in the U.S. stems from the combination of truly unbeatable quality, comfort and value that it provides. We've added another dimension that allows customers to customize a Camry for an even sportier appearance at an unbeatable value."

Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC developed the Camry Special Edition Package for a customized, performance appearance in an effort to target younger consumers. Components of the Special Edition Package include color-keyed ground effects, rear lip spoiler, stainless steel exhaust tip, 18" BBS wheels, and Michelin Pilot performance tires.

The Special Edition Package will be offered on all Camry models (LE, SE, and XLE) in four colors including Lunar Mist, Phantom Grey, Black, and Super White. MSRP for the Package is $2,599. In comparison, customers shopping in the after-market for a similar accessory offering would pay upwards of $3,200 without installation and required painting of the ground effects. In addition, as with all Southeast Toyota Distributors' accessories, a 36- month/36,000 mile warranty comes with the non-wear elements of the Package.

This Package will only be available in the five-state area served by Southeast Toyota Distributors which includes North Carolina, South Carolina, Alabama, Georgia, and Florida.

New Features

For 2003, the Camry offers new optional power-adjustable brake and accelerator pedals (with automatic transmission only) that allow all drivers to more comfortably position their seats relative to the steering wheel. All LE and SE models join the XLE with a standard-equipped remote keyless entry system. The XLE adds as standard-equipment, a six-disk CD-changer to its JBL 3-in-1 audio system, and fog lamps (previously standard only on the SE).

More Room and Comfort, Less Noise

The fifth-generation Camry rides on a two-inch longer wheelbase than the previous model, contributing to a 1.5-inch gain in rear seat legroom. The Camry is also wider and taller than before, resulting in larger interior packaging with a greater sense of openness. Higher seating points provide greater ease of entry/exit and better visibility. The 16.7 cu. ft. of trunk space rivals that of larger cars yet carries a full-size spare tire, and the standard 60/40 split rear fold down seat expands carrying capacity.

Camry achieves new "lows" in noise, vibration and harshness (NVH). Noise suppression starts with a body structure made stronger by the use of increased spot welding and structural adhesives. Cowl stiffeners, asphalt sheeting, and stiffeners across the rear parcel tray, under the rear seat and spare tire well provide additional NVH control. A super-low 0.28 coefficient of drag (Cd) translates into less wind noise than ever, and foam-packed A, B- and C- pillars also help reduce wind noise. Toyota also achieved the often- conflicting goals of more responsive handling and smoother ride comfort in the Camry. The steering system is more precise yet exhibits improved impact damping for less kickback. Suspension refinements improve body roll control while reducing NVH and impact harshness.

Two ULEV-Certified Engines

All Camry grades offer a double overhead cam 2.4-liter four-cylinder VVT-i engine. It produces 157 horsepower at 5,600 rpm and 162 lb.-ft. of peak torque at 4,000 rpm. Variable Valve Timing with intelligence (VVT-i) ensures an even spread of power across the engine speed range.

A five-speed manual transmission is standard on the LE and SE grades, with a four-speed electronic automatic with intelligence (4ECTi) optional. The automatic is standard on the XLE. The "intelligence" is grade logic that selects the proper gear for ascending and descending inclines. Camry models powered by the four-cylinder engine achieve EPA city/highway gas mileage estimated ratings of 23/32 mpg with the four-speed automatic transmission and 23/33 mpg with the five-speed manual.

All Camry grades can be equipped with a double overhead cam 3.0-liter V6 that produces 192 horsepower at 5,300 rpm and 209 lb.-ft. of peak torque at 4,400 rpm. Available only with the automatic transmission, V6 Camry models return EPA city/highway gas mileage estimates of 20/28 mpg. All Camry models are EPA-certified as Ultra Low Emission Vehicles (ULEV).

Advanced Safety

The Camry protects its occupants with a reinforced passenger cabin with front and rear crumple zones. All five seating positions have three-point seatbelts, with pretensioners and force limiters for the front seat occupants. The driver-side airbag uses three-stage deployment based on impact severity and the position of the driver seat.

The front-passenger airbag deploys in two stages, depending on impact severity. Front and rear passenger side curtain SRS airbags are available on all Camry models. The side curtain airbag system is designed to help protect the heads of front- and rear-seat occupants and the torsos of front-seat occupants in side impacts.

Four-wheel ABS with Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD) is standard on XLE four-cylinder and all V6 models, and optional on LE and SE four- cylinder grades. The ABS helps preserve steering ability by preventing the wheels from locking during severe braking conditions, and the EBD feature optimizes brake pressure at each wheel for greater control under braking, especially when cornering.

Dynamic Vehicle Control Systems

The Vehicle Skid Control (VSC) that's available for Camry V6 models comes teamed with Brake Assist and traction control. Brake Assist is designed to determine if the driver is attempting emergency braking and, if the driver has not stepped hard enough on the brake pedal to engage the ABS, the system supplements the applied braking power until pedal pressure is released.

The VSC system helps keep the vehicle going on its intended course by detecting front-wheel slide and rear-wheel slide during cornering and attempting to control either condition with torque intervention and/or by braking individual wheels. The system's traction control function helps reduce tire slippage during acceleration.

Enhanced Interior Function

A multi-information display, located just above the audio system, integrates a seatbelt warning light, clock and outside temperature gauge on LE and SE grades. The XLE display features current and average fuel economy, remaining driving range, average speed, elapsed trip time and driving time. The driver selects the display items with switches on the steering wheel center pad.

The optional navigation system stores the mapping for the contiguous United States and major Canadian cities on one digital versatile disc (DVD). This system provides very fast route calculation (about five seconds) and includes multi-language selection. Major functions include multi-route calculation, route preview, simplified highway junction graphics and a dual-map screen mode.

The Camry LE and SE grades come standard with a deluxe 3-in-1 AM/FM/cassette/CD audio system with six speakers. The XLE grade gets a JBL premium 3-in-1 audio system with an in-dash six-disk CD changer and eight speakers in six locations (optional on LE and SE grades).

Toyota's 36-month/6,000-mile basic new-vehicle limited warranty applies to all components other than normal wear and maintenance items. Additional 60- month warranties cover the powertrain for 60 months/60,000 miles and corrosion perforation for 60 months with no mileage limitation.