Toyota claims the redesigned second generation
Camry Solara coupe that made its world premiere
at a press conference on Thursday at the
2003 New York Auto Show is the most American
of any Toyota to date.
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The Solara’s product planning, technical
and styling development was managed by Toyota
Technical Center (TTC) in Ann Arbor, Michigan,
Calty Design Research in Newport Beach,
California, and Torrance, Calif.-based Toyota
Motor Sales, U.S.A. The car will be built
exclusively at Toyota Motor Manufacturing,
Kentucky in Georgetown.
“With all aspects of the all-new Solara’s
development taking place in the United States,
the total package was completed in less
than two years,” said TMS Toyota Division
senior vice president Don Esmond. Production
starts this summer and sales begin mid-August.
The new Solara will be available to North
American buyers with three grades of trim,
each with its own interior surface treatments,
and will come with either a 3.3-litre 225bhp
V6 or a 2.4-litre four-cylinder engine;
both are proven powerplants used in the
Camry sedan and RX330 SUV lines.
The new car will be EPA-certified as an
Ultra Low Emission Vehicle (ULEV) and V6
versions will have an all-new five-speed
automatic sequential transmission.
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By GlobalDataToyota says virtually every mounting and
pivot point between the suspension and the
body has been repositioned and recalibrated,
specially-tuned struts improve ride quality
and unique springs and front and rear stabiliser
bars reduce body roll and pitch.
Four-wheel disc brakes are standard.
The press material talks of integrated
convex and concave surfaces but most people
will probably see only a remarkably strong
family resemblance to the Lexus SC430/Toyota
Soarer sport coupe.
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Bumper height was reduced on the new Solara
to give it a sportier stance and body gaps
were narrowed. The Solara also targets class
leading fit and finish quality by narrowing
gaps between interior surfaces by 0.5mm
or less, the design of an invisible front-passenger
airbag, and chrome accents.
Interior storage space is increased 20%
over the old model by a new front console
box, cupholders that double as additional
storage and a centre console with dual storage
units. The Solara also has built-in storage
and cupholders in the rear quarter panel
and the front console door, glove box and
register knobs have VW-style silicone dampers
for smooth operation.
New for 2004 are Satellite XM radio, and
the latest generation Toyota DVD-based navigation
systems with 6.7-inch screen.
Front side-impact airbags, four-wheel ABS
and independent rear seat headrests are
standard with front and rear curtain side
airbags optional.
A new sports package will include a special
five-piece body kit, a unique dark-charcoal
interior with black graphite trim, sport-fabric
seats, exclusive sport gauges and meter
colours, sport tyres wrapped around 17-inch
wheels, a leather-trimmed steering wheel
and shift knob and distinctive aluminium
pedals. The package also will feature a
performance-tuned suspension that includes
stiffer front and rear springs, as well
as sport-tuned front and rear shock absorbers.
The first generation Solara debuted in
autumn 1998 and was developed to target
a new opportunity in the North American
sport specialty segment.
But Toyota says the new Solara’s appeal
will extend beyond just one set demographic
to appeal more to consumers’ lifestyles
rather than life stages.
“The all-new Solara was engineered and
designed in America for a variety of American
tastes,” said Esmond. “The Solara buyer
will want something extra in life regardless
of their age or life stage.”
