Park Jin-hai primarily focuses on K-dramas, entertainment shows and actor interviews. Beyond that, she also pens articles covering the broader arts scene, with a particular emphasis on classical music, dance and various aspects of lifestyle. Since joining The Korea Times in 2013, she has made significant contributions in the realms of hallyu (Korean wave), industry news and international affairs.
2015 all-new Camry became sharper, smarter
Toyota Motor’s 2015 Smart Camry / Courtesy of Toyota
By Park Jin-hai
By Park Jin-hai
Toyota Motor Korea has rolled out its long-time best-selling family sedan Camry with all new futuristic looks.
The 2015 All-new Smart Camry’s design change is almost radical after the seventh Camry hit the local market in 2012.
Its overall driving dynamics, noise insulation and safety have been handsomely upgraded as well and became more “Toyota-like.”
The Camry adopted Avalon’s family look.
Its longer bodyline has been devoted to its sharp and dynamic image, with more aggressively looking bumper and grill. Its LED front running lamps, LED auto-leveling lamps for the low and high beams complete the new look.
The design for the new Camry, since it debuted in April New York Auto Show, has been appraised as the most “sweeping” inside and outside. Toyota says that everything is new except the roof.
In comparison to its 2014 model, more than 2,000 parts out of some 6,000 have been replaced or redesigned for the new car.
Its body added sturdiness with more extensive use of high strength steel and spot welds, while its suspension and handling have been improved.
A new calibration for the electric power steering and a retuned brake-booster system make the Camry a better-driving car.
The details that Korean customers are most fond of from the 2014 Camry such as top-of-the segment 10 airbags, localized navigation system and Toyota hybrid system has been seceded for the new car.
“The 2015 all-new Smart Camry carries the features of its predecessor that specially designed for Korean customers. But local customers’ new needs have also been actively reflected on the new car, which we deem as the model of Toyota’s customer-first policy,” said Toyota Motor Korea CEO Akihisa Yoshida.
“We have decided to promote the car as ‘all new smart Camry’ as we aim it to be smart prestige sedan with all new features and price competitiveness.”
Locally three top-timed models are available ― gasoline powered 2.5-liter XLE, hybrid 2.5-liter XLE and gasoline powered 3.5-liter V6 XLE, all manufactured and imported from its Toyota Kentucky plant in the United States.
Despite upgraded features, the price for new Camry remains as the same as the 2012 model, under its policy of providing ‘ quality products with reasonable prices.’
The base prices for gasoline powered 2.5-liter XLE, hybrid 2.5-liter XLE and gasoline powered 3.5-liter V6 XLE are at 33.9 million, 43 million and 43.3 million won respectively.