Anyone who has R$200,000 to buy a car rarely looks at a Japanese sedan. In addition to the SUV craze, this range includes some of the most desired German sedans, such as the Audi A4, BMW 3 Series and Mercedes C Class. So what would lead the consumer to go to a Toyota dealership to look at the Corolla's bigger brother? Well, the Camry has been the favorite passenger car for years in the USA and, now in this new generation, it comes with a big V6 engine with 310 hp and offers unparalleled comfort in the back seat.

Developed on Toyota's TNGA modular platform, which underpins the Prius hybrid and will be in the next generation of the Corolla, the new Camry benefits from a 30% increase in torsional rigidity (which improved stability and reduced internal noise) and an increase of 35 mm in length, 15 mm in width and 50 mm in the wheelbase. Furthermore, the sedan's center of gravity was lowered by 40 mm, which, together with the 22 mm lower driver's seat height, contributed to offering a more dynamic drive.

In visual terms, Toyota's large sedan maintains a certain conservatism, but has become significantly younger with the large front air intake, in addition to the Full LED headlights (including fog lights) and 18" wheels. The rear lights, also in LED, have become longer and are connected via a bar with the car's name. As could not be missing from a model designed for the North American market, there are a series of chrome details, but nothing exaggerated.

It is in the cabin, however, that the Camry achieves most. It starts with the panel with a bold design in the central part, where the multimedia center is located, passes through the instrument panel with a 7" TFT screen for various information about the vehicle, and reaches the rear seat that deserves a separate chapter. In addition to the excellent space for occupants, especially those at the ends, there is the possibility of electrically tilting the backrest and, through a panel placed on the central armrest, controlling the temperature of the rear air conditioning, the sound system and raising or lowering the electric window curtain. To top it off, there are also curtains on the rear side windows, for greater privacy for those traveling there - the owner of the car, for example.

The interior deserves consideration regarding the finish, which is truly premium. Even the wooden applique on the panel was tasteful, mixed with metallic material, pleasant to see and touch. The central part of the dashboard uses the traditional piano black, while the leather on the seats and doors can be black (as in the car tested) or beige (a new feature). For the driver, finding the best position is very easy: both the seat and steering are electrically adjustable, and the seat is a real armchair because it is so comfortable.

Among the Camry As expected in this category, the Japanese luxury sedan comes with a face key and push-button start, stability and traction controls and seven airbags (one for the driver's knees). It also has the best multimedia center we've ever tested in a Toyota, with an 8" screen and DVD, CD, GPS, rear camera and Bluetooth functions, as well as USB and Auxiliary inputs. There are also two 2.1 amp sockets for the rear seat on the center console, below the air vents.

No hassle

Interestingly, even though it is aimed at the US market, the Camry maintains Japanese origins. In motion, the sedan obviously prioritizes comfort, running very smoothly and silently, but without feeling soft or clumsy at high speeds. The firm electric steering was also another surprise, despite maintaining the necessary assistance in low-speed maneuvers. Instigated by the push (and the roar) of the V6 at high revs, the Toyotão is an excellent companion for long journeys on well-paved highways.

Speaking of the V6, it is a 3.5-liter, 24-valve engine, which received a new intake valve variation system, in addition to direct injection. The result was a notable power of 310 hp, with torque of 37.7 kgfm at 4,700 rpm. Another new feature, the use of the Atkinson cycle allows for reduced consumption in conjunction with the new 8-speed automatic transmission. The benefits were clear in our economy measurements, especially on the road: an average of 14.6 km/l of gasoline. In the city, even with the start-stop system, the average was 7.2 km/l.

It's even better to enjoy the "six burners" to accelerate, even more so in these times of downsizing, a wave that is replacing naturally aspirated V6s like the one in the Camry with turbocharged 4-cylinder engines, like the 2.0s in the Audi A4 and the BMW 3 Series. Even without having the initial footprint of its turbocharged rivals, which are characterized by delivering maximum torque at low speeds, the Camry is exciting when exiting and even more so when overtaking. Just see that it took just 6.8 seconds to test from 0 to 100 km/h and only 4.6 seconds to recover from 80 to 120 km/h. Not to mention the beautiful melody of the V6 echoing through the double exhaust outlet.

Despite the forceful responses and good dynamic behavior, however, don't expect sportiness from the Camry. There are, for example, no butterflies for manual gear changes. And the tighter curves expose the body to unwanted movements, showing that the model was not made for this type of use.

The different personality of the Germans, however, is precisely the reason for the new Camry's existence. If you're looking for something outside the traditional "sports executive" of rivals and a more discreet car (which is a good thing in these violent times), then you have good reasons to leave your R$199,990 at a Toyota dealership.

Photos: author / Motor1.com

Technical Data - Toyota Camry V6