Toyota Camry has been labelled, somewhat unfairly, over the years as being an overly conservative car. It has been put down, often by those who have never driven one, as lacking in any sort of handling dynamics.
In fact, Camry has had considerable Australian design input from local engineers in its suspension. Testing has been done at a dedicated Toyota proving ground in Anglesea, Victoria, as well as on various types of public roads throughout Australia.
However, before getting you over excited, we should point out that in the Camry the comfort side of the equation has always been favoured in the endless compromise in car design. However, handling is considerably better than most people realise.
To highlight that fact Toyota Australia has introduced a sporty special-edition called Camry RZ.
Using a bit of imagination, the marketing people have drawn on the huge sales success of the Toyota 86 coupe to help promote the new Camry RZ. Nice try guys, but …
Based on the upmarket Camry Atara, with some input from the Camry Atara SX, the $31,990 (plus on-road costs) Camry RZ has revised frontal styling. It uses front foglamps with black surrounds, headlamps with dark inserts, and a grille finished in an interesting combination of body colour and gloss black.
There’s a sports body kit, with the side skirts, rear bumper, and rear spoiler also getting the gloss black treatment.
Toyota Camry RZ has 17-inch alloy wheels (including, unusually, the spare wheel), also from Atara, but with a gloss black finish with chromed highlights that are unique to the RZ.
In a blast from the past, one of the wild colours from the 1970s has been added to the colour choices – Inferno Orange premium paint. Love it!
Inside, the Camry RZ has black trim, sports instruments, a premium three-spoke steering wheel and gear-shift knob, and reversing camera monitor incorporated in the audio screen.
‘Camry RZ’ logos are used on the doors, rear bumper and the front floor mats.
Most importantly, the Camry RZ gets the premium Camry Atara SX sports suspension.
The dual exhaust system, also from Atara, increases maximum power output to 135 kW from the 2.5-litre engine. Camry RZ has a six-speed automatic transmission, with sequential shifts for the driver who really wants to take control of the car when circumstances demand it.
Safety is looked after by seven airbags, vehicle stability and traction control, and ABS brakes.
Camry RZ is covered by Toyota’s capped-price servicing for four years/75,000 km. Up to five services, at just $130 per each sounds like a bargain.
