For almost 2 years now Mehdi Hashempour has been a Jr. Service Advisor with West Coast Toyota. After starting as a lot attendant, it was soon clear that Mehdi was great with our customers, very organized and would be an asset in the service department.
Many Toyota enthusiasts already know the equity behind the TRD badge seen on the brand’s hardcore, off-road-ready pickups and SUVs. Now, Toyota Racing Development (TRD) brings its track tuning that blends greater agility, precision and body control with attention-grabbing design and everyday drivability to the Camry TRD.
The Camry TRD has an appetite for curves and a distinct exhaust note bristling with attitude. With aerodynamic-enhanced styling by Calty, Toyota’s North America design studio, and chassis performance fortified by TRD, this revved-up Camry is the track-inspired sedan for which enthusiasts have been asking.
The new Camry TRD embodies TRD’s holistic approach to vehicle enhancement. Notably, it is powered by Toyota’s renowned 301 horsepower DOHC 3.5-liter V6 and 8-speed automatic transmission with sport mode and paddle shifters. The V6 breathes easier with a TRD-tuned cat-back dual exhaust, giving both models a throatier idle and acceleration sound.
Thicker underbody braces increase torsional rigidity, and unique coil springs lower both vehicles by 15 mm for a reduced centre of gravity. Specially tuned shock absorbers and lighter 19 x 8.5-inch matte black alloy wheels paired with Bridgestone Potenza 235/40R19 summer tires complement the new springs and lower stance to improve body control, handling agility and steering precision. Camry’s chassis is further enhanced with stiffer coil springs and front/rear sway bars for increased roll stiffness of 44% in the front and 67% in the rear. To compliment spring changes, a unique set of TRD shock absorbers were developed to control vehicle vertical and roll movement during spirited driving while still maintaining a plush on-road ride. The front brakes are larger with 328 mm diameter rotors and dual-piston calipers compared to 305 mm rotors and single-piston calipers found on XSE grades.
Brake performance was also tuned to provide more direct feedback, matching the sporty dynamics of the vehicle. Active Cornering Assist was also added, reducing understeering by providing brake force to the inner drive wheel when the accelerator pedal is depressed.
Calty gave Camry TRD striking aero elements, taking advantage of the edgier designs of this new-generation and aggressive stance of the TRD-modified chassis. The aerodynamic body kit, which includes the front splitter, side aero skirts, trunk lid spoiler, and rear diffuser, blends a bold styling element and improves high speed vehicle stability to aid in driver confidence. Add to it red pinstriping, red-painted brake calipers, and red TRD badging and this sedan has a road-hungry look.
In addition to the TRD aero body features, Camry TRD wears a gloss black front grille with sport mesh insert and black exterior badging. Available colours include the appropriately dramatic Supersonic Red, Windchill Pearl — both are two-toned — and Midnight Black Metallic. Polished stainless steel TRD exhaust tips on the catback exhaust complete the exterior makeover.
Inside, the Camry TRD driver will be seeing red – in the trim, that is. The cabin is decked out with Black Sport SofTex®-trimmed front seats with fabric inserts, red accents and red-stitched TRD embroidered headrests. The leather-wrapped steering wheel also has red stitching, and even the seatbelts are red. A shift knob with an embossed TRD logo, along with unique TRD floor and trunk mats, and a TRD MID visual start up complete the cabin upgrades.
Click the TEST DRIVE button below and experience the first-ever Camry TRD for yourself. We think you’ll be impressed and … that you’ll want one in your driveway too.
