JEDDAH, 4 September 2006 -- The new generation Toyota Camry, unveiled at the Jeddah Hilton last night, will appeal to young drivers due to its style, sporty design and safety features, senior executives of Toyota Motor Company (TMC) and sole Saudi dealer Abdul Latif Jameel Company Ltd., said yesterday.

"The redesigned Camry will surprise anyone, as it's a midsize family car with many safety features and roomy interior," Kenichiro Fuse, chief engineer, Toyota Development Center I, Product Development Group at TMC, told a press conference at the Jeddah Hilton.

"We redesigned Camry with a view to overcoming its 'conservative' image and make it appealing to the new generation of drivers. So we've created a sedan with an unprecedented style and sporty image that are reflected in both its exterior and interior design," he said. "That's how the car creates a lasting impression the moment it's seen or driven."

Hajime Sakaguchi, general manager, Middle East & Southwest Asia department of the Oceana, Middle East and Southwest Asia marketing division of TMC, said Camry had remained the best selling car in its segment, especially over the last five years.

"Today, it's more popular than every before with our consumers here and elsewhere," he added.

Adnan Al-Qahtani, general marketing manager at Abdul Latif Jameel Company Ltd. (ALJ), the sole distributor of Toyota vehicles in Saudi Arabia, said that the new Camry would strengthen the presence of Toyota vehicles across the Kingdom, especially the marketing plans for this stylish and complete family car.

The focus of its exterior design is "athletic and modern," while that of the interior design "active and airy."

Both its interior and exterior designs are based on innovative packaging that surpasses the normal evolution of front wheel drive sedans, and both designs create a stylish aura.

Its exterior is eye-catching. The front embraces a solid form that continues from the grille to the hood between the right and left fenders to emphasize dynamic, three-dimensional strength (athletic image). In addition, a fearless image is created by the round low beams and high beams, the clear lens with its crystalline image, and by the headlamps shaped like the eyes of a bird targeted on its prey.

In addition to the lower body premised on a level design and the long cabin with a long base, the sides focus on surface quality and emphasize a sharp, solid taste. Like the front, the rear sandwiches the center area by the right and left fenders to emphasize the strong, athletic image.

Moreover, a double lens was adopted for the rear combination lamps to create a crystalline image. The turn signal and backup lamps were metallic white frosted to create a unique contrast with the red stop lamps and tail lamps.

On the aspect of passenger protection, the new Camry features dual-stage SRS (supplemental restraint system) air bags, three-point ELR (emergency locking retractor) seatbelts and WIL (whiplash injury lessening) concept seats in the front.

Efforts were also made to help ensure passenger protection by equipping the rear with three-point ALR (automatic locking retractor) and ELR seatbelts as standard equipment.

"Impressive fusion" was selected as the design concept for the body colors, implying the fusion of intelligent modernism with an emotional image. Based on this theme, clean, bright and sporty colors were developed. The car is available in nine colors including four new to accentuate the quality of this new generation family vehicle.

Superior acceleration performance is achieved by combining the 2.4 liter, inline four cylinder engine with a newly adopted five-speed automatic transaxle. The suspension was also completely redesigned to achieve a superior handling and driving performance.

John M. Bell, chief engineer - LM product, Toyota Australia, and Waleed K. Hambishi, senior general manager, integrated marketing communication at ALJ Import & Distribution co. Ltd., were among the other executives present.

By K.S. Ramkumar

© Arab News 2006