Next-Gen Camry Debuts in Detroit

Toyota Motor Corp.'s eighth-generation Camry gets a host of tech features, updated powertrains and more aggressive styling.

The carmaker unveiled the 2018 model on Monday at the Detroit auto show. Sales are due to start this summer.

Riding on Toyota’s New Global Architecture that also underpins the latest Prius hybrid, the all-new sedan is slightly wider and longer than the current Camry. At the same time, the car’s roof and hood height are lowered by 1 and 1.6 inches, respectively.

Eschewing the bland styling of past Camrys, Toyota hails the new model as the “most captivating” midsize sedan it has ever produced. The sporty design includes a two-piece grille, flowing body panels and more muscular fenders.

The car’s athletic stance, lower center of gravity and lightweight construction improves driving dynamics, the carmaker notes. And a new double-wishbone suspension and four-point engine mounts help curb noise, vibration and harshness.

The base engine remains a 2.5-liter 4-cylinder unit. But the new engine has a longer stroke and higher compression ratio than the current 2.5-liter mill and gets direct injection, a variable cooling system and the latest version of the carmaker’s variable valve-timing system. Toyota expects power, torque and fuel economy all will be improved.

A 3.5-liter V-6 and a next-generation hybrid unit also will be available. The two conventionally powered models will be mated with a new 8-speed automatic transmission.

The hybrid system teams the 2.5-liter engine with an electric motor integrated with a continuously variable transmission. The revised CVT features a new sport mode, which is capable of simulating six gears, increases electric boost and acceleration.

The hybrid battery pack is moved from the trunk to underneath the rear seat to improve trunk space and further lower the car’s center of gravity. Toyota expects the Camry hybrid to deliver "Prius-like" fuel economy in the 50 mpg range.

The interior includes a 7-inch instrument cluster display, a color head-up display and a center stack touchscreen. Toyota says the controls are angled toward the driver to make them easier to use. Wi-fi is optional, and the available JBL sound system has been upgraded.

All trim levels come standard with forward collision warning, auto-brake and pedestrian detection, lane-departure warning and cross traffic alert, adaptive cruise control and automatic high beams.

The current Camry model launched in 2012 and received a mid-cycle freshening in 2015. Last year the Camry was the best-selling car in the U.S.