Toyota Unveils Two New Car Concepts
10 February 1999
Toyota Unveils Camry Solara Convertible and MR-Spyder Sports Car Concept CHICAGO, Feb. 10 -- Toyota Motor Sales (TMS), U.S.A., Inc.,
today unveiled the Camry Solara convertible and MR-Spyder sports car concept
vehicle at the Chicago Auto Show. Toyota announced that it plans to sell
approximately 6,000 Solara convertibles annually, and that they are scheduled
to arrive at dealerships in the spring of 2000. The MR-Spyder is a concept
vehicle designed to offer a strong hint to Toyota's future direction in the
high performance sports car segment
Toyota Camry Solara Convertible
The all-new Camry Solara convertible will be a joint venture between
Toyota Motor Manufacturing, Canada (TMMC) and ASC, which is opening a
production facility near the Toyota plant in Cambridge, Ontario.
"The Camry Solara was styled at our CALTY Design Center in Newport Beach,
California, and from the moment pen met paper, stylists had a convertible on
their minds," said Don Esmond, Toyota Division vice president and general
manager. "That original concept -- the Solara Speedster -- debuted here in
Chicago two years ago. In about a year, that concept will become a reality."
The Solara convertible was developed to further broaden Toyota's appeal
among buyers who are nostalgic for the sports cars of the past, but need more
room and comfort than a sports car can provide.
The Solara convertible will be offered in both SE and SLE trim levels,
powered by the standard 2.2-liter 133-hp four-cylinder or optional 3.0-liter
200-hp V6 engine matched to a standard four-speed electronically controlled
automatic transmission.
The power-folding soft-top convertible roof will feature a full headliner,
automatic-down power rear-quarter windows and a large glass rear window. The
optional premium JBL sound system will feature a variable-control function
that adjusts bass response and volume, depending on vehicle speed and roof
position.
The soft-top and the interior trim will be available in two colors in both
fabric and leather-trimmed upholstery. A rear deck spoiler will be standard
on all models.
The Toyota Technical Center (TTC), based in Ann Arbor, Mich., was assigned
to lead the convertible development program. Its responsibilities included
vehicle design, parts and materials evaluation, as well as dynamic vehicle
evaluation at its Toyota Arizona Proving Ground, near Phoenix. TTC engineers
have worked closely with ASC during the development phase and will work
on-site at the new ASC facility during the initial production start-up period.
Toyota and ASC have enjoyed a long and successful working relationship for
more than 15 years. Their joint efforts have included the development and
manufacturing of the Paseo convertible, which was launched in 1997, as well as
a series of Celica convertibles, dating back to 1983.
The Solara convertible will be built in a dual-stage process. A coupe
body shell will be built at TMMC, then trucked to the nearby ASC facility.
ASC will remove the top and perform convertible-specific structural
reinforcement. The body then will be trucked back to TMMC where it goes
through the entire paint process and is fitted with running gear and interior.
The car returns to ASC for final detail work including interior trim, quarter
windows and convertible top installation.
"Working with ASC at the manufacturing stage will give us the best
possible quality," said Don McFalls, TMMC vice president of quality. "Our
customers can expect excellent fit and finish and exceptional corrosion
resistance."
TMMC is the exclusive production site for the Camry Solara. The facility
employs 2,700 people and is a three-time recipient of the J.D. Power Gold
Plant Award for Initial Quality. The 2.8 million square-foot facility, which
also produces the Corolla, has a combined capacity of 200,000 units per year.
The Solara was developed to target buyers looking for expressive styling
that is a cut above the competition. Relying on refinement rather than
exaggeration, Solara's target image was mature, dignified and controlled, a
vehicle aimed at broad appeal within a segment driven by image and style.
Although based on the Camry sedan platform, the Solara is slightly more
powerful than the sedan, its suspension a bit firmer, its steering a bit more
precise and responsive, and its interior accommodations a bit more upscale and
refined.
Since it went on sale last fall, Solara has made a significant
contribution toward maintaining Camry's position as the number-one-selling car
in the country. In calendar-year 1999, Toyota will sell approximately 50,000
Solara coupes. When joint-effort production is fully operational, Toyota will
sell approximately 6,000 Solara convertibles per year.
Toyota MR-Spyder Concept
The Toyota MR-Spyder concept vehicle is an all-new mid-engine rear-drive
sports car.
"The world fell in love with the sports cars of the 50s, because they were
light in weight, light on the road and light on the wallet," said Esmond.
"The MR-Spyder is true to these essential elements. A two-seat, soft-top
roadster distilled to its most basic nature, it is simple, functional and an
absolute kick to drive."
Weighing in at only 2,200 pounds, the MR-Spyder rides on a wide, low-slung
platform, supported by MacPherson struts at all four corners. It has a
wheelbase of 96.5 inches and an overall length of 153 inches.
An all-new 1.8-liter twin cam 16-valve four-cylinder engine powers the
Spyder. The engine features VVT-i cylinder head technology, a variable-valve
timing system similar to the design currently used in Lexus engines. The
engine is rated at 140-hp and 127 lb-ft of torque.
Power is applied to the rear wheels through an all-new sequential five-
speed manual sport-shift transmission. The transmission features a gear-shift
lever on the center console, a push-button/steering wheel-mounted shift
mechanism and no clutch pedal.
The Spyder's steering system is a newly developed electric hydraulic power
unit designed to save weight, while providing exceptional responsiveness and
road feedback.
The Spyder's coachwork features steel panels that are bolted onto a high-
rigidity unit-body, allowing for future modification or customization, while
making repairs easier and less expensive. There are storage compartments
under the front hood and behind the seatbacks. The center cluster console is
designed to accommodate audio equipment, or can be removed completely, for
additional weight savings. The manually operated convertible soft-top folds
completely out of sight, hidden neatly under a hard tonneau cover.
"The Toyota MR-Spyder and the recently unveiled Toyota XYR are vehicles
designed to immediately impact how consumers think about Toyota products,"
said Esmond. "They are vehicles that speak the truth to sports car
enthusiasts seeking exhilarating performance and bold styling at an affordable
price."
CONTACT: Joe Tetherow, (310) 618-7728, or Julie Alfonso, (310) 618-4625,
or Sam Butto, (310) 618-7728, all of Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc.
PRELIMINARY
TOYOTA CAMRY SOLARA CONVERTIBLE V6 SPECIFICATIONS
ENGINE BRAKES
3.0-liter 6-cylinder four cam 24-valve Front Ventilated disc
multi-point EFI, aluminum block with Rear Drum
aluminum alloy head
Bore & Stroke (in.) 3.44 x 3.27 STEERING
Displacement 3.9L/2995cc Power-assist rack-and-
pinion
Compression Ratio 10.5:1
Valve train twin-cam, 4-valve/cyl TIRES AND WHEELS
Horsepower(SAE) 200/198 (CA) HP @ Wheel size 6.0 x 15
5200 RPM Tire size
Torque(SAE) 214/212 (CA) lb-ft @ 205/65R15
4400 RPM
Fuel System Sequential Multi-point
EFI EXTERIOR DIMENSIONS
Recommended fuel 91 Octane unleaded Wheelbase 105.1 in
Ignition system Electronic Overall length 190.0 in
Overall width 71.1 in
POWERTRAIN Overall height 55.1 in
Drive system type Transaxle/ Tread width -
Front Wheel drive Front 60.8 in
Rear 59.8 in
Transmission 4-Speed ECT Automatic Min. ground
clearance 5.3 in
Coefficient
of drag 0.31
SUSPENSION
Front: Independent MacPherson strut with INTERIOR DIMENSIONS
stabilizer bar, gas-filled shocks, anti- (inches)
vibration sub-frame and suspension upper Headroom (f/r) 39.1/38.1
(tower) brace Legroom (f/r) 43.3/35.0
Rear: Independent dual link with gas-filled Shoulder
shocks, stabilizer bar and anti-vibration Room (r/r) 55.3/45.0
sub-frame Hip Room (f/r) 53.6/44.7
EPA cargo
volume TBD
VEHICLE MASS (lbs)
Curb weight 3,437
TOYOTA MR-SPYDER PRELIMINARY SPECIFICATIONS
ENGINE STEERING
1.8-liter, 4-cylinder, DOHC, 16-valve Power Rack-and-Pinion
multiport EFI, aluminum block with (Electric Hydraulic
aluminum alloy head Power Steering)
Bore & Stroke 3.11 x 3.60 in TIRES AND WHEELS
Displacement 1.8L/1794cc Wheel Size 16 x 6.5 in JJ
Compression Ratio 10:1
Valve Train Twin-Cam 16-Valve VVT-i Tire Size
Horsepower (SAE) 140HP/6400 RPM Front: 205/50R16
Torque 127 lbs-ft/4000 RPM Rear: 215/50R16
Fuel System Multi-point EFI
EXTERIOR DIMENSIONS
(inches)
POWERTRAIN Wheelbase 96.5
Drive System Type Midship Rear Wheel Overall Length 153.0
Drive Overall Height 48.2
Transmission Sequential 5-Speed Manual Track (f/r) 58.3/57.5
SUSPENSION INTERIOR DIMENSIONS
Front: MacPherson Strut NA
Rear: MacPherson Strut
VEHICLE MASS
BRAKES Curb Weight 2,230 lbs.
Front: Ventilated Disc
Rear: Ventilated Disc