PLANO, Texas, Nov. 13, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- With winter
about to spread its icy grip to much of the United States, Toyota is introducing the
new all-wheel drive Camry and Avalon models to help drivers get a
better grip on the road. It's the first AWD Camry since 1991, and
the first-ever Avalon with AWD. The Toyota-developed Dynamic Torque
Control AWD system will be available as a standalone option for the
Camry LE, XLE, SE and XSE grades and on Avalon XLE and Limited
grades.
In recent years, market demand for AWD passenger vehicles has
increased significantly, due in no small part to the rising
popularity of SUVs and crossovers. Midsize sedan customers outside
the luxury category, however, have had relatively few AWD choices.
Now, Toyota gives them two more with Camry, America's best-selling
midsize sedan for 17 years, and Toyota's flagship sedan,
Avalon.
Notably, the Camry AWD and Avalon AWD are North America-only models developed in the
U.S. and assembled exclusively at Toyota Motor Manufacturing
Kentucky.
Both the Camry AWD and Avalon AWD get a high-efficiency
2.5-liter DOHC four-cylinder engine teamed with an 8-speed
Direct-Shift automatic transmission. Most Camry AWD grades have 202
horsepower, while the Camry XSE AWD and both Avalon AWD grades have
205 hp with dual exhaust. The new AWD system balances added
traction with exemplary fuel efficiency.
The Camry and Avalon AWD models underscore Toyota's commitment
to the sedan category, a space that some brands have been leaving
while Toyota has been expanding choices. Both the new-generation
Camry and Avalon sedans offer hybrid models, and, this fall, both
added their first-ever TRD (Toyota Racing Development) performance
versions.
Toyota previously offered an AWD Camry in 1988-1991, called the
AllTrac. The company appreciates the loyalty, patience and
perseverance of all those customers and dealers who sent letters,
emails, comments and texts asking for a modern AWD version of
America's favorite sedan.
Smarter All-Wheel Drive
To many car buyers, "all-wheel drive" may mean one thing, but
there are many different AWD technologies on the market. Toyota
found an ideal type of AWD for Camry and Avalon in its
new-generation RAV4 compact SUV introduced for 2019. The Dynamic
Torque Control AWD system provides effective traction for inclement
and slippery weather while minimizing AWD's typical drag on fuel
economy. Admittedly, the system name is a mouthful; Camry and
Avalon models equipped with it will carry a simple "AWD" badge on
their trunk lids.
The Camry and Avalon AWD system can direct up to 50 percent of
engine torque to the rear wheels, in response to acceleration from
a start or slippage at the front wheels.
Notably, when AWD isn't needed, such as on long highway
stretches, the electromagnetic controlled coupling on the front of
the rear drive axle can disengage the propeller shaft from the
differential to prioritize fuel efficiency. The AWD is designed to
re-engage in an instant when needed. AWD operation is transparent
to the driver and passengers. On that note, the Camry and Avalon
AWD models match their FWD counterparts in critical passenger
space, trunk room, ride comfort, cabin quietness and vehicle
agility.
All-American Effort
Neither the new-generation Camry nor Avalon was originally
planned to have an AWD version, so the engineering team at Toyota
Motor North America Research and Development in Saline, Michigan, developed them to meet the
market demand for AWD sedans. The flexibility and components of the
Toyota New Global Architecture (TNGA), and specifically the Camry
and Avalon's TNGA platform, allowed the team to develop the AWD
versions in-house with improved efficiency.
Far more than a vehicle platform, TNGA brings together new
approaches to engineering, design, production and materials. Its
flexibility to develop different models from the same tools had
already been proven. The North
America-only Camry and Avalon AWD show that TNGA can be used
by individual Toyota regions to tailor vehicles to that market's
local needs.
Since the RAV4 is also based on the TNGA platform, the
opportunity to share components and basic engineering was built in.
The team combined the upper body structure of the Camry and Avalon
with the engine, transmission, transfer case and rear differential
from the RAV4. The RAV4's version of the multi-link rear suspension
was adapted with some modifications and tuning to suit the sedans.
Both the Camry and Avalon AWD use a modified version of the
propeller shaft from the all-new Highlander SUV.
Adapting the AWD drivetrain to the Camry and Avalon required
floor structure modifications, plus the use of an electronic
parking brake and a saddle-style fuel tank with an optimized
capacity for AWD models rather than the flat-style tank in the FWD
models. Inside the car has the same rear seat hip point height as
the Camry and Avalon hybrid models. Despite the addition of a rear
differential, the trunk floor height remains the same as in the FWD
versions.
The transformation to AWD adds just 165 lbs. over the Camry FWD
while the Avalon AWD weight is similar to that of its FWD V6
siblings.
Customers can expect the Camry and Avalon AWD to provide similar
ride and handling characteristics as the FWD models, plus of course
the added traction capability. The suspension tuning, wheels, and
tires differentiating the Camry and Avalon model grades carry over
to the new AWD models. That means, for example, the Camry XSE grade
features the same sport-tuned suspension and 19-inch wheels in FWD
and AWD versions.
The Camry AWD will be model year 2020 and arrive at dealerships
in early spring. All AWD grades can get an optional Cold-Weather
Package, which adds heated seats and mirrors on the LE, heated
seats, mirrors and steering wheel on the SE, and heated steering
wheel on the XLE and XSE. All other standard and optional features
carry over from the FWD versions of the LE, XLE, SE and XSE model
grades, including the latest Toyota Audio multimedia systems with
Android Auto, Apple CarPlay and Amazon Alexa compatibility.
The Avalon AWD will be model year 2021 and go on-sale next fall.
Both XLE and Limited AWD grades will receive a standard heated
steering wheel while other standard and optional features carryover
from the FWD versions.
Toyota Safety Sense-P
All 2020 Camry and Avalon models come standard with Toyota
Safety Sense-P (TSS-P) a suite of cutting-edge active safety
systems that includes:
- Pre-Collision System with Pedestrian Detection (PCS w/PD)
- Dynamic Radar Cruise Control (DRCC)
- Lane Departure Alert with Steering Assist (LDA w/SA)
- Automatic High Beams (AHB).
Blind Spot Monitor (BSM) with Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA)
are available on Camry and standard on Avalon. Intelligent
Clearance Sonar (ICS) with Rear Cross Traffic Braking (RCTB) also
are available on both models.
Star Safety
All 2020 Camry and Avalon models have 10 standard airbags and
Toyota's Star Safety System, which includes Enhanced Vehicle
Stability Control, Traction Control, Electronic Brake-force
Distribution, Brake Assist, Anti-lock Braking System, and Smart
Stop Technology. All come equipped with a standard backup
camera.
About Toyota
Toyota (NYSE:TM) has been a part of the cultural fabric in the
U.S. and North America for more
than 60 years, and is committed to advancing sustainable,
next-generation mobility through our Toyota and Lexus
brands. During that time, Toyota has created a tremendous
value chain as our teams have contributed to world-class design,
engineering, and assembly of more than 38 million cars and trucks
in North America, where we have 14
manufacturing plants, 15 including our joint venture in
Alabama (10 in the U.S.), and
directly employ more than 47,000 people (over 36,000 in the
U.S.). Our 1,800 North American dealerships (nearly 1,500 in
the U.S.) sold 2.8 million cars and trucks (2.4 million in the
U.S.) in 2018.
Through the Start Your Impossible campaign, Toyota highlights
the way it partners with community, civic, academic and
governmental organizations to address our society's most pressing
mobility challenges. We believe that when people are free to move,
anything is possible. For more information about Toyota,
visit ToyotaNewsroom.com.
Media Contacts:
Zachary Reed
469-292-3499
zachary.reed@toyota.com
Note to Editors: Photos can be found on
ToyotaNewsroom.com
For customer inquiries, please call: 800-331-4331
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SOURCE Toyota