Monday, September 19, 2011

Akio Toyoda Shows off 2012 Toyota Camry, Manual Transmission Rumored Dead

2012 Toyota Camry Headlight.jpg

Best. Camry. Ever. At least, those are the words (if there were some liberties taken with the cadence) of Toyota CEO Akio Toyoda when talking about the all new 2012 Toyota Camry.

Toyoda said that they listened to customers and have built a car that will exceed expectations and will be a "remarkable car in terms of handling, safety and fuel economy." Remarkable handling? Camry? Ok....

But things don't stop when the video cuts out shortly after the peep show of the car's the new Camry's headlight. Nope, the internet of all things is running rampant with rumors about the new car. In particular, VW Vortex seems to have found a cache of early information....

What they've dug up is that the 2012 Toyota Camry will abandon the highly sought after manual transmission option (take that, sales crown) as well as the V6 LE. Wheels on the XLE will be 17s, up from 16s while the V6 SE will have 18s. Entune will be available on XLE and SE models. LE models will lose standard power seats, getting them only as an option. This probably means that the LE will follow in the footsteps of the Passat and be cheaper than the $21,650 it stickers for in 2011.

Of course, we won't know the exact specifics until the car is released sometime this fall, aka: at the LA Auto Show.