Looking like a cross between a Lexus SC430 and block of mozzarella left to melt in a puddle of tomato sauce, the new 2004 Camry Solara coupe from Toyota debuted at April's New York Auto Show.
The second-generation Solara is the "most American of any Toyota to date." The product planning, engineering and styling are all products of the Toyota Technical Center in Ann Arbor, Mich., Calty Design Research in Newport Beach, Calif. and Toyota Motor Sales, USA in Torrance, Calif. All production will be at the Camry plant in Georgetown, Ken.
Available in three trim levels (SLE, SE and SE Sport) when it goes on sale this August, its drivetrains will be shared with the Camry. That means either 157-hp, 2.4-liter, DOHC four or the 225-hp 3.3-liter, DOHC, 24-valve V6 currently being implanted into the Lexus RX330. While the four will likely be offered with a five-speed manual, the only trans available with the V6 will be a five-speed automatic.
The rest of the chassis is familiar Camry stuff. That means struts up front, an independent system in the back, disc brakes with ABS at every wheel and 16- or 17-inch wheels and tires, depending on which model is ordered. Toyota further claims all the suspension tuning has been burnished to a lustrous high-performance sheen.
Slightly larger than the car it replaces, Toyota says the Sport package will include black graphite trim. XM radio, a DVD-based navigation system and supplementary side airbags are also scheduled for the options list.