>>Toyota Camry Solara

Toyota Camry Solara

The Toyota Camry Solara, also more commonly known as the Toyota Solara, is a mid-size coupe/convertible designed and engineered by Toyota. Created to appeal to a demographic of slightly more sport-minded drivers than those who prefer the Toyota Camry sedan, The Camry Solara looks to bring together sport car performance and style with spacious practicality.

Prior to the production of the Camry Solara, the 2-door version of the Toyota Camry was simply known as the "Camry Coupé"; it was added to the third generation Camry lineup in 1994 to compete with the Honda Accord and other cars in its class. However, due to it never being nearly as popular as the 4-door sedan of the Camry, the Camry Coupé was dropped in 1997. In 1999, retaining the goal to compete with other similar coupés, Toyota launched the Camry Solara. Instead of mirroring the now-fourth generation Camry's design, the Solara had its own unique design with a swooped roofline, heavily creased sides and unique front and rear fascia. The name "Camry Solara" can be divided into two parts: the Camry portion to reflect on its roots, and the "Solara" portion to portray the radiance of the sun. However, all models of the Camry Solara only feature the "Solara" portion of the name on exterior emblems, and the "Camry" portion of the name is rarely used when referring to the car in general.

First generation (1999-2003)

First generation
Production	1999-2003
Assembly	Cambridge, Ontario, Canada
Platform	SXV-20 (I4) MCV-20 (V6)
Engine(s)	2.2 L 5S-FE I4 3.0 L 1MZ-FE V6
Transmission(s)	4-speed automatic 5-speed manual
Wheelbase	105.1 in
Length	1999-2001: 190 in 2002-03: 191.5 in
Width	71.1 in
Height	1999-2001: 55.1 in 2002-03 Coupe: 54.3 in 2002-03 Convertible: 55.5 in
Fuel capacity	18.5

The first generation Camry Solara went on sale in the fall of 1998, as a 1999 model to replace the Camry coupe. It was based on the mechanical platform of the previous generation Toyota Camry and was built at the TMMC facilities in Cambridge, Ontario, Canada. This model featured a 4-cylinder 5S-FE 2.2L engine with 135 net HP (101 kW), and 147 ft·lbf (199 N·m) of torque @ 4400 rpm (199 Nm), and a V6 1MZ-FE 3.0 L engine with 200 net HP @ 5,200 rpm (149 kW), and 214 ft·lbf (290 N·m) of torque @ 4,400 rpm (290 Nm) with a 0 to 60 of 7.1 seconds, both of which are identical engines to the 4th generation Camry, but slightly revamped to have a small gain in power (2 hp and 6 hp (4 kW), respectively).

The Toyota Camry Solara is also the first vehicle in the Toyota lineup, after their 1997 partnership agreement to feature a JBL premium stereo option, which all models came with a single-slot in-dash CD player and cassette deck. The SE models come standard with 15-inch steel rims and hupcabs, upgradable to 15-inch alloy rims. The Sports Package also adds a retuned suspension, perforated leather-wrapped steering wheel, perforated 8-way power-adjustable leather seats, an upgrade to 16-inch alloy rims, retuned steering, minor trim changes and a rear lip spoiler.

In the year 2000, the SE and SLE convertibles are also added to the lineup, and all JBL head units are upgraded to an in-dash 6-disc CD changer with a cassette deck.

First mid generation (2002-2003)

2002-2003 Toyota Solara SLE coupe

The Camry Solara was facelifted in 2002, receiving changes to the grille pattern, taillights, headlights that now feature a 4-bulb system instead of 2, a chrome logo on the steering wheel (instead of an embossed pattern), the trunk is now openable by remote, smaller fog lights and the wood trim has changed from Oxford Burlwood to Mustard Wood. New packages and options are also offered, which includes heated leather seats, an Appearance Package that features a 3-spoke steering wheel instead of 4, leather-wrapped shift knob, black pearl emblems and a different center cap on the wheels.

Mechanically, the 2.2 L four-cylinder engine was replaced with the same 2.4 L four-cylinder engine offered on the redesigned 2002 Camry, the 2AZ-FE. This new engine was chosen because it features the same gas mileage as the previous engine, except it offers more power and the addition of VVT-i, a technology that improves performance and reduces emissions. This new engine features 157 hp (117 kW) net @ 5600 rpm (117 kW), and 162 ft·lbf (220 N·m) of torque @ 4000 rpm (219 Nm), up 22 hp (16 kW) from the previous model.

Second generation (2004-present)

Second generation
Production	2004-2008
Assembly	Georgetown, Kentucky
Platform	ACV-30 (I4) MCV-31 (V6)
Engine(s)	2.4 L 2AZ-FE I4 3.3 L 3MZ-FE V6
Transmission(s)	4-speed automatic 5-speed automatic 5-speed manual
Wheelbase	107.1 in
Length	192.5 in
Width	71.5 in
Height	Coupe: 56.1 in Convertible: 56.5 in

The second generation of the Camry Solara was completely redesigned and introduced to the public in 2004 and featured a more curvy body, with the option of adding XM radio and/or a navigation system. The Gen 2 body is also heavier than the Gen 1.5 body. The 4 cylinder is a carryover of the first mid generation's engine, and the larger available engine was the new 3.3 L V6 rated at 225 net HP @ 5600 rpm (168 kW) and 240 ft·lbf (325 N·m) of torque @ 3600 rpm (325 Nm) with a 0-60 of 6.9 seconds, with a quarter mile of 15.50 @ 93.50 mph (150.47 km/h). With the four-cylinder engine you could choose a five-speed manual or four-speed automatic transmission, while the V6 was matched to only a five-speed automatic transmission equipped with a sequential automatic, also known as a Multi-Mode Transmission (MMT). Both engines now feature Toyota's VVT-i technology. The Solara also moved to TMMK for the second generation model.

In 2006, the four-speed automatic was dropped on the Solara in favor of the five-speed MMT automatic transmission.

2007 Toyota Solara SE coupe

In June 2006 a restyled 2007 Solara went on sale. On the SE, rear LED tailights had been added, with the reverse lights moved into the bumpers. The SE Sport became available with its own unique spoiler; a noticeable change on the front end were smaller foglights, a slightly redesigned set of headlights and grille. Interior changes include Optitron gauges, blue backlighting in the rest of the car's controls, revised shifter, MP3 and WMA CD playback capability, external audio device (e.g. iPod, Zen, cassette) auxiliary port connectivity, Bluetooth connectivity, and voice-activated navigation on the SLE V6 models.

Although it gained a slightly updated appearance, it still retained both engines. Due to the new SAE-Certified testing method, the 4-cylinder model is rated at 155 hp (116 kW) with 158 ft·lbf (214 N·m) of torque (214 Nm), and the V6 is rated at 210 hp (157 kW) and 220 ft·lbf (298 N·m) of torque (298 Nm), but the output and performance is still the same without mechanical change.

Discontinuation And Replacement by Toyota Venza

The Solara did not receive any changes for the 2008 model year, as the Solara will be discontinued by Toyota after the 2008 model year. This is due to declining demand for midsize front-wheel-drive coupes across the board, as competitor General Motors discontinued the Chevrolet Monte Carlo for the 2008 model year.

The facilities at Toyota Motor Manufacturing Kentucky in Georgetown, Kentucky that produce the current Solara will be converted to produce the 2009 Toyota Venza, a two-row five-passenger "crossover sedan" designed and engineered in North America. Based on Camry and Avalon mechanicals, the Venza will slot in size between the Camry and Avalon. Few details of the Venza are known at this time, other than it will be unveiled at the 2008 North American International Auto Show in Detroit, Michigan.

Use of model name

The name Solara was previously used on a motor vehicle by Peugeot, with their Talbot Solara, a notchback variant of the Chrysler Alpine hatchback developed by Chrysler Europe before their takeover by Peugeot in 1978. The rights to use the Solara name on a motor vehicle within Europe remain with Peugeot. From time to time, such names from the past appear on limited edition models. Mitsubishi Australia also used this name on the mid-spec versions of its Mitsubishi Magna sedan and station wagon.