2002 Toyota Camry

Now entering its fifth generation, the 2002 Toyota Camry rides on its first all-new platform in 10 years. Roomier, quieter and more powerful, it has crisper handling and, believe it or not, improved ride comfort.

The new platform is wider and taller, with a two-inch-longer wheelbase. There is more rear legroom and less drag - now .284, or "extremely slippery."

Power

An all-new twin-cam 16-valve 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine with variable valve timing (VVT-i) is now the base engine. With 157 horsepower at 5,600 RPM, the new mill gets 21 horsepower more than the previous four-cylinder engine. It also has 162 lbs./ft. of torque at 4,000 RPM for hill climbing.

Fuel economy is also improved with preliminary EPA city/highway gas mileage of 23/32 mpg with the four-speed automatic transmission and 24/33 mpg with the five-speed manual (that's similar mileage as the Dodge Neon and Mitsubishi Lancer). In addition to the added power, the new engine is EPA-certified as an Ultra Low Emission Vehicle (ULEV).

The four-cam 3.0-liter V6 continues. It produces 192 horsepower at 5,300 RPM and 209 lbs./ft. of torque at 4,400 RPM. Preliminary EPA city/highway gas mileage for the V6 with the four-speed automatic transmission is 20/28 mpg. The V6 is also EPA-certified ULEV.

Optional is an all-new smooth shifting electronically controlled four-speed automatic overdrive transmission with intelligence (4ECT-i). A five-speed manual overdrive transmission is available with four-cylinder LE and SE models. Preliminary zero-to-60 performance for the V6 is 8.3 seconds, an improvement by nearly half a second. Zero-to-60 performance for the new four-cylinder engine is improved by over one second with the manual transmission clocked at 9.1 seconds, 9.9 for the automatic. Unfortunately, appears that the V6/manual transmission option is no longer available for those who like "sleepers."

Control

All V6, SE, and XLE models will be equipped with four-wheel disc brakes, while the four-cylinder LE model offers discs in the front and drums in the rear.

The chassis is controlled by power-assist rack and pinion steering. All LE models come standard with 205/65R15 tires. The XLE and SE models will ride on standard 215/60R16 tires. All models offer optional aluminum alloy wheels.

The front suspension is equipped with MacPherson struts that feature noise, vibration and harshness (NVH) reduction through the use of springs and shocks with separate upper bearing points on the inner fender which reduces the noise to the body shell. Additionally, anti-roll bar end-links are coupled to the strut housings, rather than the lower control arm, for increased control of body roll without excessive ride harshness. The rear suspension is equipped with Chapman struts, with very long lower control arms to minimize camber change during body roll.

Camry’s new body structure features a new engine mount layout that provides increased rigidity around the sub-frame mounting points of the engine bay. The new layout provides increased accuracy of suspension geometry and reduced NVH transmitted into the cabin from the motor mounts. The new motor mount layout is used on both the four-cylinder and V6 engine.

Interior

Further NVH reduction and improved body rigidity is accomplished through the use of structural adhesives and spot welding in strategic locations. In addition, foam is utilized in the A, B, and C pillars to reduce wind noise. Additional body structures to reduce NVH include cowl stiffeners and asphalt sheeting, curved panels in the floor, and stiffeners across the rear parcel tray, under the rear seats and in the spare tire well.

The larger wheelbase allowed Toyota engineers the opportunity to create a more spacious and inviting cabin. The newly styled front seats now offer greater lumbar support and a greater range of seating positions for added comfort while the rear features 60/40 fold-down seats for storage of larger items such as skis, and L-shaped headrests that provide added rear visibility for the driver. Fabric upholstery is offered in LE and XLE grades with an aggressive fabric design in the SE grade. For an added dose of luxury, leather trim is available in all XLE grades and the SE V6.

A high performance fold out in-dash DVD navigation system is available on XLE and SE. The GPS system features a multiple language LCD touch-screen display panel and voice navigation that is fully integrated with Camry’s body of electronics. With a map-scrolling speed of 600 dots per second, and a route calculation time of 5.0 seconds, the Camry navigation system is the faster than all of its competitors in the U.S. market. Additional features include a dual map screen display, multiple route options whereby three routes (quick, short, and alternative) are calculated for different driving conditions, route previews, areas to avoid, and pictograms of selected intersections with routes highlighted. The driver can also specify a route that allows or avoids road types such as freeways, toll roads, and ferries.

Three different audio systems are available. The LE and SE come with a deluxe three-in-one AM/FM/Cassette/CD audio system with six speakers. The XLE grade comes with a JBL premium three-in-one audio system with eight speakers in six locations (optional on LE and SE). An optional JBL premium three-in-one audio system with an in-dash six-disc CD changer is available on all grades.

A multi-information display, located just above the audio system, features a seatbelt warning light, clock and temperature gauge on LE and SE grades. The XLE display features current and cumulative fuel economy, remaining driving range, average speed, elapsed time, and driving time. The driver selects the display items with easy-access switches on the steering wheel center pad.

A newly designed instrumentation panel integrates the fuel and temperature gauges into the speedometer and tachometer, delivering a three-dimensional, high-tech look. A silver metal background on the IP of the SE grade conveys a more aggressive attitude.

Convenience is enhanced with a multitude of storage compartments and cup holders strategically located in the front center console and rear armrest. Additionally, all Camry’s are equipped with standard intermittent windshield wipers that now feature a new washer nozzle that provides a broad, more uniform spray pattern without temporarily obscuring the driver’s vision.

Models

Three distinctly different model-grades based more on buyer tastes than on buyer wallets broaden the Camry's appeal, while helping to dispel some of the "generica" feel of some predecessors.

The entry-level "stripper" CE is gone, replaced by the LE, which was the most popular model. A luxury oriented XLE has less of a price gap from the LE. A new SE model has chassis tuning and appearance changes for more sportiness.

The new SE grade was designed to offer a distinctly sportier style by integrating a sport grille, black headlamp masking, fog lamps, a rear spoiler, and unique black pearl badging with chrome logos. For a firmer ride, enhanced steering, and more nimble handling, the SE receives higher spring rates, stabilizer bar, and shock damping rates, a low-flow power steering pump and a front strut bar to reinforce the upper shock mounts for a more stable geometry.

Standard features

LE

electronic air conditioning with air filtration
programmable power automatic door locks
power windows with auto-down driver window and retained-power features
four-spoke tilt steering wheel
daytime running lights with off mode
dual color-keyed power outside mirrors
cruise control
center console with bi-level storage box
rear window defogger
sunglasses holder
front map lights
outside temperature gauge
60/40 split-folding rear seat
full-size spare tire
vanity mirrors
and a coin pocket

XLE adds:

power driver and passenger seat
color-keyed heated outside mirrors
wood grain style interior trim
auto up/down driver window with pinch protection
automatic climate control air conditioning and rear-seat vents
center console-mounted rear heater ducts
multi-information display and steering-wheel mounted controls
chrome inside door handles
engine immobilizer and alarm system
HomeLinkт garage door opener
auto-dimming mirror with compass
and dual illuminated vanity mirrors
chrome side molding

Standard on the XLE, optional on the LE and SE:

rear sunshade
keyless entry
cargo net

The SE adds to the LE:

fog lights
black-out sport grille
unique sport fabric trim
chrome exhaust outlet
rear spoiler
black headlamp masking
black pearl badging with chrome logos
leather-wrapped shift lever
three-spoke leather steering wheel
brushed chrome interior trim
16-inch sport tires and unique suspension tuning
and sport gauges

Additional options include a power tilt and slide moonroof on all models, and heated front driver and passenger seats (XLE and SE V6 models only).

Safety

Available on all Camry models for 2002 are front and rear passenger side curtain-shield SRS airbags. Coupled with the front seat-mounted SRS side impact airbags, the side curtain shield airbag system is designed to help protect the head of front- and rear-seat occupants and the torso of front-seat occupants in side impacts. The single side curtain-shield system inflators, located below each C pillar, and the individual seat-mounted inflators are triggered separately, from the left and right sides, based on impact sensors located in the base of the B pillar. The system is designed to help prevent direct contact with the body pillars and side glass in the event of a side impact.

Front airbag deployment is now controlled in multiple stages based strictly on the severity of the impact measured by front impact sensors. The driver side airbag is controlled in a three-stage manner based on impact severity and the position of the driver seat. A seat position sensor judges the size of the occupant based on the seat position. The driver-side airbag will deploy at a faster rate (high stage) or slower rate (low stage) for medium and large size occupants, depending on impact severity. The driver-side airbag will deploy at low stage, or extra-low stage for smaller occupants, depending on impact severity.

Front-passenger airbag deployment is controlled in two stages based on the severity of the impact measured by front impact sensors. This provides either a "faster" or a "slower" deployment as deemed appropriate.

For added comfort, convenience and safety, the 2002 Camry will feature new power adjustable floor pedals later in the model year. The brake and accelerator pedals now adjust forward and back automatically at the touch of a button located on the lower left instrument panel. This allows smaller drivers to comfortably position their seats relative to the steering wheel while their feet maintain sufficient reach to the floor pedals.

Frontal, offset-frontal, and side impact protection has been enhanced with the installation of pre-cut steel panels of varying thickness. The panels are designed to create crumple zones that buckle to absorb impacts, while helping to minimize deformation of the passenger compartment. A reinforced upper cabin frame, reinforced rocker support of all four window pillars, as well as side impact door beams, help to maintain cabin integrity during a collision.

Inside, lower limb protection has been enhanced with the adoption of an anti-intrusion brake pedal that moves inward during impact, and a crushable foot rest that deforms during impact, providing more cabin space for feet and legs.

Two new safety features include a child restraint anchorage system consisting of two lower anchor brackets and two strap anchors, and a glow in the dark internal trunk release handle to prevent children from becoming locked in the trunk. Other Camry safety features include a head impact protection structure, child protector rear door locks and three-point seatbelts for all front and rear seat positions.

All Camry V6 models offer available Vehicle Skid Control (VSC) with Brake Assist and traction control. VSC utilizes the braking system to help the driver maintain control in adverse driving conditions. The system’s traction control feature helps reduce tire slippage during acceleration. The Brake Assist feature detects emergency braking and applies supplemental line pressure to help maximize the effectiveness of the Anti-Lock Brake system (ABS).

Four-wheel ABS with Electronic Brake Distribution (EBD) is standard on XLE four-cylinder and all V6 models, and optional on LE and SE four-cylinder grades. While ABS helps prevent the wheels from locking during severe braking conditions, EBD detects the differences in front- and rear-wheel speeds and dispenses the proper braking force to all four wheels.

Color and Trim

Colors available for Camry are Super White, Lunar Mist Metallic, Black Walnut Pearl, Salsa Red Pearl, Desert Sand Mica, Black, Aspen Green Pearl, Stratosphere Mica, Phantom Gray Pearl, and Catalina Blue Metallic. Exterior colors are tastefully coordinated with Stone, Dark Charcoal, Taupe, and Charcoal/Taupe interior colors in fabric or leather-trim.

Warranty

Toyota’s 36-month/36,000 mile basic new-vehicle warranty applies to all components other than normal wear and maintenance items. Additional 60-month warranties cover powertrain for 60,000 miles and corrosion with no mileage limitation. Toyota dealers have complete details on the limited warranty.