Toyota Prices Camry Solara Coupe
9 July 1998
Toyota Strengthens Camry's Position as America's Best-Selling Car With $18,638 Camry Solara Coupe TORRANCE, Calif., July 9 -- Toyota is adding another
strategic chapter to Camry's best-selling value story with the pricing of the
all-new 1999 Camry Solara Sport Coupe.
Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A. (TMS), Inc., announced today that the
Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price of the Camry Solara will range from
$18,638 for the four-cylinder, manual transmission SE model to $24,988 for the
SLE V6.
Camry Solara SLE and SE models equipped with the V6 engine go on sale in
August, with four-cylinder models available late September.
Camry Solara, which was unveiled in January at the North American
International Auto Show in Detroit, will help strengthen Camry's position as
the number-one-selling car in America. The mid-size coupe is based on the
Camry front-drive platform and will share the Camry Sedan's engine and
transmission choices.
"The Camry Solara was developed to target an emerging market with strong
long-term growth potential," said Don Esmond, TMS group vice president and
general manager of the Toyota Division. "Its primary market will be consumers
entering their peak earning years, who are nostalgic for the sports cars of
their youth, but need more room and comfort than a traditional sports car can
provide. These are value-conscious consumers and the Camry Solara will
deliver."
It is a significant vehicle for Toyota because it is the first to take
advantage of the combined talents of Toyota's North American engineering,
exterior styling and manufacturing facilities.
Solara was styled by Toyota's CALTY Design Center in Newport Beach, Calif.
Engineering development for the new coupe was shared between Toyota
Engineering in Japan and the Toyota Technical Center, based in Ann Arbor,
Mich. Solara will be built exclusively at the company's Cambridge, Ontario,
Canada, plant, which also builds the Toyota Corolla.
Camry Solara will be offered in SE and SLE grade levels. The SE will
offer a 200-horsepower 3.0-liter DOHC 24-valve V6 and a 135-horsepower DOHC
four-cylinder engine equipped with either a five-speed manual or four-speed
automatic transmission. The Solara SLE will feature the V6 with automatic
transmission, exclusively.
Solara joins the Camry Sedan and Corolla in offering optional side-impact
airbags, which are standard equipment on the full-size Toyota Avalon.
Standard equipment on the SE grade will include power windows, door locks
and mirrors, air conditioning, tilt steering wheel, cruise control, deluxe
AM/FM/cassette with six speakers, daytime running lights and 15-inch wheels
and tires. Anti-lock Brakes will be standard on V6-equipped models and
optional on those with four-cylinder engines.
Options on the SE grade include 8-way power-adjustable driver seat, moon
roof, JBL premium audio system with eight speakers, 15-inch alloy wheels and
leather-trimmed interior.
Standard equipment on the SLE premium grade will include anti-lock brakes,
leather-trimmed interior with 8-way power-adjustable driver seat, 15-inch
alloy wheels, keyless entry/security system, 200 watt (maximum output) JBL
premium 3-in-1 AM/FM/Cassette/CD audio system with eight speakers, automatic
climate control, heated side-view mirrors, three-function Homelink electronic
remote-control system and auto-dimming rear-view mirror.
Traction control also will be offered as an exclusive option on the SLE.
A Sport Package featuring firmer suspension settings, rear spoiler and 16-inch
alloy wheels and tires will be offered as optional equipment on all grades
powered by the V6 engine.
