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Archives for April 16, 2014

2015 Toyota Camry Overhaul Breaks Cover

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Best selling sedan receives a makeover.

2015 Toyota Camry

The current generation Toyota Camry rolled out for the 2012 model year, as mild of an update as you might find. The overall dimensions of the model remained the same and critics faulted Toyota for playing it safe as it sought to retain its position as the best selling car model in America.

2015 Toyota Camry

Well, the days of playing it safe for Toyota may be a thing of the past if the 2015 Toyota Camry is an indicator. America’s best seller is not all-new, but for a mid-product cycle refresh it offers many more changes than what are typically provided.

Indeed, Toyota says that it stripped the current generation down to its chassis and rebuilt it. The 2015 edition has 2,000 new parts although its powertrain choices remain the same. No matter, it was the bland skin that bothered many shoppers, a problem solved by crafting a whole new exterior.

Bob Carter, senior vice president of automotive operations of Toyota Motor Sales, USA, Inc., admitted as much as he presented the Camry at the 2014 New York International Auto Show. “Customers today love the durability, quality and value that the Camry represents, but they are looking for a little more style, comfort and performance, and this 2015 Camry has all of the above.”

Stiff Competition

Clearly, Toyota could not wait for the next generation model to refresh the Camry. Its chief competitors Honda Accord, Nissan Altima and the Ford Fusion have been gaining ground in recent years with bold styling and fresh powertrains the difference. Other competitors have jumped in with new models too including the Hyundai Sonata, Kia Optima, Mazda 6, Subaru Legacy and the Chrysler 200.

The Camry’s entire exterior except for the roof has been changed for 2015. This model measures 1.8 inches longer than the 2014 edition and the track was widened by 0.4 inches to help underscore its more athletic stance. Its front fender has a more confident look and its grille has taken on trapezoidal proportions.

New headlamps punctuate the front fascia with turn signal indicators and daytime running lamps integrated for an upscale look. To the rear, the Camry features reworked tail lamps that push up into the leading edge of the trunk. Toyota also applied decorative trim along the inside of the tail lamps for visual enhancement.

No Powertrain Changes

Under the hood, buyers will continue to choose from either a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine or a 3.5-liter V-6 engine. Both motors are paired with a six-speed automatic transmission. The Toyota Camry Hybrid also returns, retaining the same Atkinson-cycle 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine it has always used. It remains paired with a continuously variable transmission.

Inside, the Toyota Camry makes use of premium materials. The center console tray has been redesigned for increased capacity and a power source has been added to the storage box. The enclosed bin located forward of the shifter includes 12-volt and USB ports as well as a wireless charging system for smartphones, a segment-first feature.

The Camry’s instrument panel receives a new 4.2-inch TFT screen flanked by three-dimensional Optitron gauges on the SE, XLE and XSE (new) models. Audio, navigation, warnings and communication information are displayed on the screen.

Premium Seating and Noise Control

Toyota also gave seating surfaces a more refined look with those changes differing by model. Premium cloth is standard with genuine leather and ultra suede available, adorned with French stitching.

Toyota’s engineers were also tasked with making the cabin quieter in a bid to reduce wind and road noise. Upgraded window and door seals, thicker carpeting and redesigned mirrors collectively contribute to reducing noise.

Will the changes be enough to keep the Toyota Camry on top of the midsize sedan segment as well as keep it the best selling car in America? That seems likely as long as pricing follows. Given Toyota’s resolve, the Camry should continue to keep its competitors at bay at least for another year.

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Photos courtesy of Toyota Motors. Mashup copyright Auto Trends Magazine.

Infiniti Q70: Refreshed and Extended

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Available extended wheelbase model debuts.

The Infiniti Q70 is the flagship sedan for Nissans luxury brand, a model that has been refreshed for 2015. Dropping cover in advance of the 2014 New York International Auto Show, this sports sedan gains an extended wheelbase model, adding 5.9 inches between the wheels to optimize rear seating room.

The extended wheelbase model will be sold in North America and in China where stretched versions of competing models from Audi and BMW are popular. The 2015 edition receives an updated face with new headlamps, a double arch grille, and a new front bumper with integrated fog lights.

At the rear, the Q70 receives new LED tail lights, tweaks to the trunk lid, a new rear bumper, and a chrome finisher. Choose the Sport edition and this sedan is outfitted with 20-inch wheels and tires.

Infiniti Q70

2015 Infiniti Q70L debuts.

2015 Infiniti Q70 and Q70L

Rear-wheel drive remains standard; all-wheel drive is optional. Both the regular and extended wheelbase models offer two engine choices: a 3.7-liter V-6 and a 5.6-liter V-8. The V-6 makes 330 horsepower at 7,000 rpm and 270 foot pounds of torque at 5,200 rpm; the V-8 makes 420 horsepower at 6,000 rpm and 417 foot-pounds of torque at 4,400 rpm. The V-8s numbers come in slightly lower for the Q70L. Both engines are paired with a 7-speed automatic transmission.

A Q70 hybrid model returns, outfitted with a 3.5-liter V-6 engine and an electric motor. The gas engine makes 302 horsepower and the electric motor adds 67 horsepower. The engine produces 258 foot-pounds of torque and the electric motor makes 214 foot-pounds of torque. Like the gas versions, the hybrid is outfitted with a 7-speed automatic transmission.

Cross Your Legs

Adding 5.9 inches to the wheelbase (7.3 inches overall) the big gains realized with the Q70L is in its rear seat leg and knee room. In the Q70, rear passengers have 36.2 inches of legroom. In the Q70L it measures 41.8 inches. Knee room measures 26.6 inches in the Q70 to 32.5 inches in the Q70L.

Infiniti claims that the Q70 comes in quieter, especially at high speeds. New noise insulation materials, additional sealing and stiffened wheels were among the changes Infiniti’s engineers employed to reduce noise. The sedan also makes use of active noise control monitors that effectively offsets sound from four speakers, technology Infiniti says makes it easier to hold conversations and to improve music enjoyment.

Safety and Security Features

The 2015 Infiniti Q70 also receives four new safety and security technologies including the predictive forward collision system introduced to the Q50 sedan last year. What this system does is sense the relative velocity and distance of both the vehicle in front of it as well as the one two places forward.

An around view monitor, backup collision intervention and forward emergency braking are additional enhancements for this sedan. Other safety equipment already available include intelligent cruise control, distance control assist, lane depart warning, lane departure prevention, and blind spot monitoring.

The Competition

With these updates, the Infiniti Q70 is better positioned to take on its competitors including the Audi A6/A7, the Jaguar XF, Lexus GS, BMW’s 5-Series, Cadillac CTS, and the Mercedes-Benz E-Class. Thats more good news for Infiniti dealers who are enjoying a 14 percent boost in year-to-date sales, doubling the pace of the industry.

Refreshed Infiniti QX80

Another Infiniti model refreshed for 2015 is the full-size QX80 sport utility vehicle. A restyled grille, new headlamps and tail lights, and the same safety upgrades available in the Q70 are present in the QX80 as well.

The model line also receives a new top-of-the-line Limited edition featuring smoked headlights and tail lights, 22-inch chrome wheels, semi-aniline leather seats and real ash trim. An ultra suede headliner is included as well.

See Also — Shapely Infiniti Q30 Makes its Global Debut