Toyota Camry (XV20)

Toyota Camry (XV20)
Overview
Manufacturer	Toyota
Also called	Daihatsu Altis Toyota Mark II Qualis Toyota Vienta
Production	August 1996 – July 2001 (Japan, U.S.) July 1997 – August 2002 (Australia) 1999 – 2002 (Thailand, Indonesia)
Assembly	Japan: Toyota, Aichi (Tsutsumi plant) Australia: Altona, Victoria Indonesia: Cikarang Thailand: Chachoengsao United States: Georgetown, Kentucky
Designer	Kawazu Masahiko (1993)[1]
Body and chassis
Body style	4-door sedan 5-door station wagon
Layout	FF layout
Related	Lexus ES/Toyota Windom (XV20) Toyota Camry Solara
Powertrain
Engine	2.2 L 5S-FE I4 (gasoline) 3.0 L 1MZ-FE V6 (gasoline)
Transmission	5-speed S51 manual 4-speed A140E automatic 4-speed A541E automatic
Dimensions
Wheelbase	105.1 inches (2,670 mm)
Length	187.6 inches (4,765 mm)
Width	70.3 inches (1,786 mm)
Height	56.3 inches (1,430 mm)
Curb weight	3,000 pounds (1,361 kg)
Chronology
Predecessor	Toyota Camry (XV10)
Successor	Toyota Camry (XV30)

The Toyota Camry (XV20) is a mid-size car that was sold by Toyota between September 1996 and 2001 in Japan and North America, and 1997 and 2002 in Australia.^[2] Introduced on 3 September 1996, the XV20 series represented the fourth generation of the Toyota Camry in all markets outside Japan, which followed a different generational lineage. The XV20 Camry range is split into different model codes indicative of the engine. Inline-four models utilize the SXV20 (gasoline) and SXV23 (CNG) codes, with MCV20 designating the six-cylinder (V6) versions.

The XV20 Camry continued as a sedan and station wagon, though the latter model was not sold in North America, where the sedan was launched in 1996 for the 1997 model year. The XV20 Camry was offered in 2.2-liter inline-four and 3.0-liter V6 engined versions. In Australia, the luxury-oriented version was badged Toyota Vienta.

In Japan, this model launched under the name Camry Gracia—a prefix dropped by the sedan in 1999—but retained by the wagon until end of production in 2001. An upmarket version of the wagon also sold as the Toyota Mark II Qualis. Furthermore, this was the first Camry to be badge-engineered as a Daihatsu; the Daihatsu Altis sold in Japan was identical to the export version of the Camry. The Japanese Scepter ceased to exist as the Japanese Camrys adopted the 1,795 mm (70.7 in) wide platform, thereby incurring an increased tax liability in Japan due to its extended length and width according to Japanese exterior dimension limits. The Vista began departing from the Camry, remaining 1,700 mm (66.9 in) wide and eventually forming the basis of the growing Corolla. In addition, the Vista's sheet metal resembled a tall, formal sedan, while the Camry became sleeker. The Lexus ES 300 was again built from the Windom, which uses the Camry chassis.

In August 1999 for the 2000 model year, the sedan models in North America received a mid-model upgrade to the front and rear fascias, this included larger headlights that now feature a four-bulb system instead of two, a separated grille with chrome surround, larger taillights, and larger body-side moldings. Toyota Australia started production of the facelift model in 2000.

Development

As Japanese yen soared in the mid-1990s, the redesigned Camry had less content and fewer curves than the previous model under pressure to reduce costs.^[3] Following the debut of the XV10 in 1991, development immediately began under Kosaku Yamada under program code 415T.^[4] Styling ended with a winning design competition proposal "Cardboard Box" by Kawazu Masahiko being chosen in August 1993, 36 months ahead of scheduled production. The final XV20 design was frozen by early February 1994, at over 30 months ahead of scheduled production start in August 1996, which nearly double that of its predecessor. Design patents were filed on 9 February 1994 at the Japan Patent Office and registered under #1057806. Prototypes were tested throughout 1995 and 1996.^[5][6][7]

Engines

Market

XV20 Camrys were manufactured in at the Tsutsumi plant in Toyota, Aichi, Japan; Toyota Australia's facility in Altona, Victoria; and at the Toyota Motor Manufacturing Kentucky production site in Georgetown, Kentucky, United States. Production in Thailand and Indonesia began in 1999, replacing Australia as the source of Camrys in Southeast Asia.

Australia

Pre-facelift Toyota Camry Conquest sedan (MCV20R; Australia)

Pre-facelift Toyota Camry CSi sedan (SXV20R; Australia)

Facelift Toyota Camry Advantage sedan (SXV20R; Australia)

Facelift Toyota Camry CSX sedan (SXV20R; Australia)

Facelift Toyota Camry Conquest wagon (MCV20R; Australia)

In Australia, unlike the previous generation, the Camry name was also applied to the V6 variants, while the Toyota Vienta V6 range was revised as the "upmarket" models. The line-up of four-cylinder Camry models consisted of the CSi, Conquest and CSX models (automatic transmission was standard on Conquest and CSX); all three variants were available in sedan or wagon body styles. The Camry V6 models consisted of CSi and Conquest, again as sedans and wagons, with the wagons only available with automatic transmission. The Camry V6 Touring sedan model was launched in March 1999.

The Vienta V6 line up consisted of VXi and Grande sedans and the VXi wagon. The Vienta VXi was similarly equipped to the four-cylinder Camry CSX.

In September 2000, the revised Camry was launched. The Vienta V6 range was discontinued due to the launch of the Avalon sedan in July 2000 and two new models were added to the Camry range: the top-of-the-range Azura V6 sedan and the Touring V6 wagon, both of which were available with an automatic transmission only. Towards the end of the model run, the limited edition Intrigue and Advantage sedans were launched.

Wheel sizes vary on this shape of Camry, with some using 14-inch wheels, while others use 15-inch.

Japan

Mark II Qualis (based on Camry wagon)

Camry Gracia

The Japanese market XV20s arrived in 1996, named Camry Gracia. Japanese sedans dropped the Gracia suffix in 1999, although it was retained by the wagon until its 2001 demise. The wagon was also sold in Japan as Toyota Mark II Qualis. It had no relation to the Mark II sedan (a rear-wheel drive executive car) besides the front and rear lights, which resembled those of the Mark II. The Mark II Qualis was also available in a 3.0G version, with the 3.0-liter V6 engine, not available on the Japanese market Camry. The Camry Gracia was sold only at Toyota Japanese dealerships called Toyota Corolla Store alongside the Camry, while its twin the Mark II Qualis was exclusive to Toyopet Store locations.

An equivalent model was launched as the Daihatsu Altis. It was only sold in Japan, and its production started from this generation. The Altis was introduced March 2000 as a flagship sedan for Daihatsu as a replacement for the Daihatsu Applause. Not very many Altis models were sold in Japan. This is because a typical Daihatsu is priced in the entry level pricing range, and the Altis was priced very similar to the comparable model Camry. The Altis was available with the 2.2-liter four-cylinder engine. Unlike the Camry, which is available as a sedan or wagon in Japan, the Altis sold only as a sedan. The name "Altis" is a variation of the word "altitude", implying a "high elevation" status as the top-level car for Daihatsu.

Middle East

For the Middle East market, the Camry was sourced from Australia. It was offered in three different trims as a sedan: the low-end XLI and mid-range GLI that both carried the four-cylinder engine—and the luxury Grande with V6 engine. The station wagon was also offered with the GLI trim.

North America

Pre-facelift Toyota Camry (US)

Facelift Toyota Camry (US)

Interior

In the United States, the Camry SE was dropped and the base model was renamed the CE for the 1997 model year. Both the LE and the XLE trims were carried over from the previous generation. All trim levels were available with either the 2.2-liter inline-four or the 3.0-liter V6 engine. The LE-based Gallery Edition and Collector Edition were new for 2001 model year. Some of this generation Camry sold in the US were produced at TMMK as well as at the Tsutsumi plant in Japan. A Camry manufactured in Japan is denoted with a VIN starting with "JT1"; US-made models are denoted with a VIN starting with "4T1".

Manual transmissions were only available on the CE and LE V6 models. Toyota Racing Development (TRD) offered a supercharger kit for the V6 models, raising power to 247 hp (184 kW) and 242 lb·ft (328 N·m) of torque.

The Camry had a mild refresh in 1998 for the 1999 model year, and the addition of VVTi to the 2.2 litre 5S-FE engine.

A coupe was added in 1998 for the 1999 model year, and then a convertible form in 1999 for the 2000 model year. In contrast to the coupe from the third-generation Camrys, the new two-door cars were given a separate nameplate Toyota Camry Solara, or simply Solara. They were also a significant styling departure from the sedan. The Solara was available in SE and SLE trims, corresponding roughly to the sedan's LE and XLE trims.

Toyota, in 1999, offered a four-cylinder, non-hybrid CNG-powered XV20 Camry in California to fleet customers.^[9]

Euro NCAP test results
Camry 2.2 4-door saloon (1998)[10]
Test	Score	Rating
Adult occupant:	25
Pedestrian:	15

The Camry V6 was again on Car and Driver magazine's Ten Best list for 1997.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety gave the Camry a "Good" overall score in their frontal offset crash test.^[11] Front seat-mounted side torso airbags were optional beginning on 1999 models.

Europe

The XV20 was also sold in Europe. But like its predecessor, the Camry XV10, the range was a lot more limited. As before, models for the European market continued to be imported from Japan.

Launched in 1997, the range consisted the 2.2i GL and 3.0i GX models in sedan form only.^[12] Like the Camry XV10, the GX was only available with an automatic transmission.^[13][14] The 2.2i GL was available with both manual and automatic transmissions.^[15][16]

The Camry received a four out of five star safety rating in Euro NCAP's test, due to its side airbags.^[10]

References

External links

• Media related to Toyota Camry (XV20) at Wikimedia Commons