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2007 Toyota Camry Solara Preview

Camry Solara Gets Refreshed

The ultra Lexus-looking Camry Solara is Toyotas only two-door coupe and convertible combo and has been for a while, and since the Celicas cancellation it has also usurped the title of the Japanese brands only "sporty" car. Of course, coming standard with only 155 horsepower and crushing down on the face of the earth with the force of 3,349 pounds, the Solara makes no pretenses about being an actual sports car. As such, Toyotas latest refreshing of the Solara for the 2007 model year moves the car further into the realm of cruiserdom on the inside, while trying to impart a sportier taste on the outside.

Like any good cruiser the Solaras strength is its fun factor, as it always has been. But it seems that with no actual sports car in Toyotas lineup, the Big T seems

New bumpers front and rear try to transform? the Solara into a sports car. (Photo: Bill Petro, Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A.)

bent on turning the Solara into one. To that end, Toyota has gone through the current Solara and made a few "improvements," starting with a slightly renovated exterior.

Although the very Lexus IS-like front end remains, it almost appears to have been moved down-market by new, more aggressive (read-boy racer) Matrix-like bumpers, while the Solaras tail (which always looked like the smaller cousin of the SC430s) also receives a new bumper complete with a bizarre sort of diffuser or vent thing that looks more akin

New winglets and spoilers continue the more sporting theme - almost looks like a Porsche Cayman from this angle.? (Photo: Bill Petro, Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A.)

to something youd see in the upcoming Fast & Furious movie.

On the plus side, those updated bumpers are packed with new HID headlights (for Sport Coupe and Convertible models only) and flashy fog lamps out front, while the back end benefits from up-market-looking LED combination taillights. Also, opting for the Solara Coupe Sport V6 model gets you a new Sport Skirt Package, which as the name implies wraps the bottom of the car in plastic skirting; giving it an even lower appearance without the loss of wheel travel that often accompanies suspension lowering. Lastly, all models of both coupe

HID headlights on the Sport models make the Solara look even more like a Lexus. (Photo:? Bill Petro, Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A.)

and convertible get body-colored ducktail spoilers that once again look somewhat immature.

Thankfully, Toyotas sports-car-themed renovation doesnt continue inside. Interior revisions are simple and classy, like the addition of Lexus-sourced Optitron gauges that are brighter and crisper than any other form of illuminated dashboard; excellent for those elderly Solara owners (of which there are many). Less likely to boost sales with the geriatric crowd is the stereo, a state-of-the-art 6-speaker unit that incorporates a 6-CD in dash changer capable of reading both MP3 and WMA formats. Also, the new Solara incorporates Bluetooth capability as standard equipment for the SLE V6 Coupe and Convertible, meaning those of you with Bluetooth

The 2007 Solaras profile is pretty much the same as the previous models, albeit lower. (Photo: Bill Petro, Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A.)

friendly phones will be able to enjoy handsfree communication right out of the box.

Of course, the Solaras interior was already quite well outfitted, coming already with power lumbar support for the drivers seat, power windows, a digital compass (perfect for those longer cruises), and fancy-shmancy solar-energy absorbing tinted glass. Opting for the Sport model means even more accoutrements, including special sport upholstery, leather-wrapped steering wheel, and a fully-adjustable power drivers seat.
The powertrain on the revised 2007 Solara will remain unchanged from previous editions. That means the entry level SE is still powered by a 2.4L four cylinder that, as mentioned before, puts out an underwhelming 155 horsepower. In its defense, it is a smooth powerplant equipped with dual balance shafts and Toyotas variable valvetrain

The interior benefits from the addition of a new 6-disc in-dash changer. (Photo: Bil Petro, Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A.)

technology known as VVT-i.

Moving up to the Sport V6 model means Toyota crams a 3.3L 24-valve V6 into the same engine bay that produces a slightly more potent 210 horsepower. Both powerplants meet Tier 2, Bin 5 classifications. If that means nothing to you, dont be alarmed; it simply means the engines burn clean. The four-pot will consume a meager 37 mpg on the highway; the V6 31 mpg.

Backing both engines is a five speed automatic with manu-matic operation. All this power is kept in check via a rather unremarkable suspension setup consisting of MacPherson struts both front and rear. It may not be the most advanced or sporting, but it does give a smooth, quiet, and compliant ride via anti-vibration subframes at all mounts. Even the engine is mounted using active anti-vibration motor mounts.

Of course, it wouldnt be a Toyota without some serious safety equipment. ABS enhanced with Electronic Brake Distribution technology

New LED combination brake lights light up faster and brighter than conventional light bulbs. (Photo: Bill Petro, Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A.)

preempts accidents (hopefully) by altering the front to rear brake bias during braking, as well as the left to right brake bias during cornering. Additionally, the top of the line SLE V6 models receive Brake Assist, basically an intelligent ABS activator that discerns whether or not the driver is hammering the brakes to make a panic stop, or simply stopping hard. If its not a panic situation Brake Assist prevents ABS from activating, and simply supplies maximum line pressure to the brakes. On top of Brake Assist, SLE V6 models get Vehicle Stability Control and Traction Control as standard. Should all the electronic aids still not manage to save you from an accident, Toyota has outfitted the Solaras body with an amalgam of energy-absorbing yet structurally stiffer components; if that makes any sense. Inside all the standard potentially head-damaging parts like the headliner and pillars are covered in crushable stuff, protecting your noggin. Finally, two-stage front-mounted airbags that automatically deploy with the correct amount of force protect the front seat occupants,

All in all, the Solara has all the sporty looks you could want, but; lacks the gusto to back it up. (Photo: Bill Petro, Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A.)

while side mounted airbags and side curtain airbags (obviously only on the coupe) come standard on all trim levels.

With a price tag that varies from $19,930 for the base level SE Coupe all the way up to a rather lofty $30,460 for the SLE Convertible, the Solara covers off a wide range of market segments. And although the 2007s look definitely updates the somewhat nineties-looking Solara, its sporting pretense doesnt become the sleek two-door, and the end result is something akin to a bandaid on a bullet wound.

Having remained unchanged since 2004, this Solara may only be three years old by the time this updated model hits showrooms, but both its coupe and convertible variants are rapidly being outpaced their competitors. Add to that reports of a possible Lexus IS-series drop top on the way, and Toyota might just have their two-door convertible blown out of the water by their very own sister brands sportier, more luxurious car. And given Chryslers Sebring brings about as much to the table as the Solara for thousands less right here and now, it might be time for Toyota to consider more than just a bandaid solution; even if that bandaid does have new bumpers.

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