With an increasing number of car buyers are now flocking to SUVs and CUVs, the demand for saloons is on the decline in many markets. Apart from added utility and space, the allure of SUVs has been the additional grip they provide thanks to their all-wheel drive systems. This is especially the case in countries that experience extreme winters with slippery, snow covered roads. In a bid to try and retain such buyers who would potentially ditch their saloons in favour of SUVs, Toyota has announced all-wheel drive versions of its Camry and Avalon saloons.
The AWD tech for the two saloons has been borrowed from the latest RAV4 crossover. Toyota says this Dynamic Torque Control AWD system provides effective traction for slippery weather conditions while minimising AWD’s typical drag on fuel economy. The Camry and Avalon AWD system can direct up to 50 per cent of engine torque to the rear wheels, in response to acceleration from a start or slippage at the front wheels.
The AWD versions of the Camry and Avalon have been developed by the engineering team at Toyota Motor North America Research and Development in Saline, Michigan, and will be released exclusively in the US market.
While the flagship Avalon has never had an AWD variant before, this is not the first time the Camry gets one. Camry, which has been America’s best-selling midsize saloon for 17 years, has had an all-wheel-drive ‘All-Trac’ version from 1988 until 1991. Both the Camry AWD and Avalon AWD will be powered by 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine mated to an 8-speed automatic transmission
The Camry AWD will be model year 2020 and arrive at dealerships in early spring next year, while the Avalon AWD will be model year 2021 and go on-sale next fall.
Here’s the new all-wheel-drive-only Mercedes-AMG E 63
With 604bhp and 850Nm from the 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8, the E 63 S will sprint from zero to 100kph in 3.4 seconds
November 05, 2016Next-generation Toyota 86, Subaru BRZ confirmed!
The Japanese automakers also expand their partnership and are all set to team up for new all-wheel-drive models and EVs
September 30, 2019New Toyota Camry HEV driven in the UAE
The eighth generation model deserves praise for its bold new aesthetics but what is it like to drive with a heavy hybrid drivetrain? We find out...
February 01, 2019All-new 2019 Toyota Avalon hits the UAE
Available across all Al-Futtaim Toyota showrooms from Dh144,900 incl. VAT
September 16, 20182018 Toyota Camry: Coming soon!
Toyota launches all-new eighth-generation model in America, before the car reaches our shores
July 01, 2017This special Rolls-Royce Phantom has a million stitches in its cabin
Specially commissioned by a Stockholm-based customer, the car features hand-sewn floral patterns throughout its interior
December 12, 2019Coming soon! Deliveries of Nissan GT-R50 by Italdesign to begin in 2020
First customer model to be displayed at Geneva Motor Show in Italdesign booth; limited ownership slots still available
December 12, 2019Overfinch creates 450 horsepower custom Land Rover Defender
Bespoke soft-top version gets a 6.2-litre V8 from General Motors and is priced at a whopping Dh1.16 million!
December 10, 2019Meet the action vehicles from the upcoming James Bond movie
The collection used in the making of No Time To Die is now on show at London Film Museum’s Bond In Motion section
December 08, 2019Bentley creates Limited Edition Continental GT to celebrate Pikes Peak record
Featuring exclusive Mulliner paintwork and carbon fibre body kit, the edition is restricted to just 15 examples
December 05, 2019