New Camry to replace Avalon

[TRAV1]

Autoblog is reporting that Toyota is doing away with the Avalon and instead is planning on replacing it with an extended Camry.

http://www.autoblog.com/2008/07/12/l...s-next-avalon/


Update: From Edmunds.com

"With development of the next-generation 2012 Camry well underway, Toyota also is studying whether to cancel the planned replacement for the Camry-based Avalon, which currently is slated to go into production in Kentucky in early 2010.

In its place, Toyota may opt to produce a long-wheelbase Camry for such markets as North America and the Middle East. The redesigned Camry currently is slated to begin production in mid-2011."

[geoff5093]

That would be very interesting, I wonder what the price of the "extended Camry" will be.

*I haven't read the article yet*

[jayb82]

I hope it will be replaced by the Crown. RWD FTW!!
http://www.toyota.com/concept-vehicles/crown.html

[ben805]

Honda bumped up the overall size of the Accord, Mazda follow suit on the MX6 in 2009 model, it only make sense for Toyota to oversize the next gen Camry too. I'd say ditch the current camry chassis and rebadge the Avalon as Camry, redesign the body and up the HP, improve interior quality, work out the tranny bug, and they'll have a winner there.

[ben805]

Originally Posted by jayb82

I hope it will be replaced by the Crown. RWD FTW!!
http://www.toyota.com/concept-vehicles/crown.html

Man i hope not, it looks dated....the rear looks like an oversized Civic while the front reminds me of the Ford fusion, yuck!

[geoff5093]

Originally Posted by jayb82

I hope it will be replaced by the Crown. RWD FTW!!
http://www.toyota.com/concept-vehicles/crown.html

I doubt it, since gas is a big reason why Toyota is making all these changes.

[Timbits93]

That Crown is basically a Debadged Lexus LS430 [01-06]

They should replace it with the 2008 Crown even though it looks mid-sized http://pictures.topspeed.com/IMG/cro...ybrid_1_8w.jpg

Or just engineer a whole different vehicle based on the Crown platform as RWD is a must in the luxury area.

I just don't wanna see an extended version of the Camry O.o

[CharmCityES]

the camry should remain in its size category....the avalon replacement should a be a RWD sedan along the lines of the cressida

[Camread]

"In its place, Toyota may opt to produce a long-wheelbase Camry for such markets as North America and the Middle East."

Isn't that what the current version is?!?

[Yazovets]

Originally Posted by jayb82

I hope it will be replaced by the Crown. RWD FTW!!
http://www.toyota.com/concept-vehicles/crown.html

RWD = fishtailing from a standstill in the winter every time.

No thanks.

[carlo$]

camrys are already "big ass cars". We don't need them any bigger. Gas guzzler?

[thrawnis]

This sounds like an interesting idea. I would maybe like to see the current Camry reduced in overall length by a few inches (but retaining the current wheelbase) and an extended version that is maybe 6 inches longer than the current Camry. While I love the interior and cargo space with the Gen6, the car itself seems a little too big for a mid-size class of car.

Instead of improving power, increasing displacement, and improving efficiencies of current engines, why don't they try reducing the weight for a change? Every new generation seems to be getting noticeably bigger than the previous one while weight is increasing. If they improved efficiencies and reduced weight, seems like we can have a better handling car with better fuel economy...

[carlo$]

that is what the Koreans are doing. i think the Koreans will kick the japnese's ass pretty soon. Koreans are making smaller nicer looking cars, pretty soon they will be very reliable; the japanese keep on making "big ass cars".

[sniper34]

The world in a few years is going to be a very different place. Especially when it comes to cars. Personally I can't see bigger cars being too successful. People are alot more fuel oriented, the price of gas will keep alot of customers from seeking bigger cars. Look at the dealers now and you see most people wanting higher fuel mileage vehicles. weather we like it or not, the price of gas will determine the style of the vehicle that sells.

[jayb82]

Originally Posted by CorCamrySE

the camry should remain in its size category....the avalon replacement should a be a RWD sedan along the lines of the cressida

+1

Originally Posted by Camread

"In its place, Toyota may opt to produce a long-wheelbase Camry for such markets as North America and the Middle East."

Isn't that what the current version is?!?

I think the Camry has the same wheelbase in all markets.

Originally Posted by Yazovets

RWD = fishtailing from a standstill in the winter every time.

No thanks.

Isn't that why you have all the traction control electronics?
And correct me if I'm wrong but the Lexus IS, GS, SC etc are all RWD

Originally Posted by thrawnis

This sounds like an interesting idea. I would maybe like to see the current Camry reduced in overall length by a few inches (but retaining the current wheelbase) and an extended version that is maybe 6 inches longer than the current Camry. While I love the interior and cargo space with the Gen6, the car itself seems a little too big for a mid-size class of car.

Instead of improving power, increasing displacement, and improving efficiencies of current engines, why don't they try reducing the weight for a change? Every new generation seems to be getting noticeably bigger than the previous one while weight is increasing. If they improved efficiencies and reduced weight, seems like we can have a better handling car with better fuel economy...

The increased weight was to make the Gen 6 safer for the side crash-test that NHTSA and IIHS were conducting.