An Emotional and Cerebral Decision
Toyota had the largest stage at New York's Jacob K. Javits Convention Center, where the New York International Auto Show is held each year in April. While its entrance was impressive, with dim theater-style lighting contrasted by a fiery red-lit background, few expected the completely revised Camry Solara to be as dramatically styled as it proved to be.
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| The 2004 Solara made a grand entrance on Toyota's large stage at the New York International Auto Show. (Photo: Trevor Hofmann, Canadian Auto Press) |
After all, the current version, while a wonderfully refined and velvety smooth performer, hardly qualifies as a particularly distinct piece of automotive art. Its lines are clean and uncluttered and overall design sporty in a comfortably retired jet off to the golf course kind of way. In a nutshell it's absolutely non-offensive.
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| The Solara has a graceful and well-executed rear profile that is reminiscent of the impressive Lexus SC 430.(Photo: Trevor Hofmann, Canadian Auto Press) |
The 2004 model shouldn't offend either, but in the same breath it will most definitely attract a younger buyer. The SE model shown at the show, in bright red with an optional Sports Package, incorporated the same long, low hood line sculpted to meet an attractive four-sided chromed waterfall grille that all Solara's feature. Aggressive headlamp clusters pull styling cues from the sensational Celica, reaching as far back along the front fenders as any I have previously seen. The Sport Package features integrated foglamps that extend the racy persona deep down to the lower front fascia, where a lip spoiler wraps around the outer corners, conceptually matching the aerodynamically formed rocker panels.
Its rear three quarter angle is equally flowing, with a graceful shoulder line rising slightly upon meeting the rear fenders, and then falling downwards along the line of the cat-eye styled taillamps. A steeply raked C-pillar and rear window combination hardly bends into the rear decklid, which ends with a subtle lip spoiler. The Solara's entire rear execution is slightly similar to the Lexus SC 430 - good company to keep. Altogether the graceful lines result in an amazing 0.29 coefficient of drag.