Background: Shades of Toyota's all-new 1999 Solara coupe debuted a couple of years at the 1997 Chicago Auto Show when Japan's largest automotive manufacturer showcased a Solara concept vehicle. That prototype became a road-ready reality in less than 18 months. Toyota's newest two-door offering has close ties with it's four-door Camry sedan counterpart; not a bad start. Camry was the best-selling car in North America in 1998 for the second straight year earning a solid reputation for reliability and dependability. And Since Toyota markets their all-new, front-wheel coupe as the "Camry Solara," every two-door version sold represents a Camry sale. That's important as far as bragging rights are concerned. Honda, Toyota's chief Japanese rival, hawks its popular Accord in both two and four-door body styles. Accord ranked as the second most-popular car in North America in 1998. Now that a two-door Camry version is back on the road, Toyota can better defend its top-dog status. The 1999 Solara is not Camry's first foray into the coupe segment. For years, Toyota marketed Camry in sedan, coupe and wagon versions, but Solara's exterior styling and sporty suspension system now provide consumers with more than a rounded-off Camry sedan. Toyota introduced Camry to the United States in 1983, but discontinued wagon and coupe body styles in the mid 1990s. When the Solara concept vehicle hit the auto show circuit in 1997, it was a convertible. Plans remain on the drawing board to introduce a flip-top Solara, but no firm intro date has been established. The front-wheel drive Solara debuted last August. Sales in 1998 totaled 10,000. Toyota assembles two-door Solaras in Ontario, Canada.
Engine and trim levels: Camry Solara includes two trim levels and two engine sizes. The entry-level SE features either a four or six-cylinder powertrain. The four-cylinder, 2.2-liter, inline powertrain delivers 135 horsepower within a cast iron frame. The more potent V-6, available SE and standard in the top-of-the-line SLE, boosts horsepower to 200 in a an aluminum block. Both engines feature multi-port, electronic fuel injection.
Safety features: Dual front air bags, daytime running lights and front and rear crumple zones come standard in all editions. Front driver and front passenger side impact air bags, integrated into the front bucket seats, are optional across the board as is an anti-theft device. Anti-lock brakes, optional in the four-cylinder SE, come standard in six-cylinder SE and SLE trim levels. Traction control, which controls wheel slippage on ice, snow and other inclement roads, is optional in SLE only; it is not offered in SE. Keyless entry, standard in SLE remains optional in SE.
Price: Our red, test drive, five-speed manual Camry Solara SE with V-6 engine included a manufacturer's suggested retail price of $21,188. After factoring in a deluxe sound system ($150), side-impact air bags ($250), moon roof ($900) and sport upgrade package ($1,530), the bottom line totaled $24,684, including a $420 destination charge. The most cost-effective Solara, a four-cylinder SE with manual transmission, tips the scales at $19,058 while a top-of-the-line SLE sets bank accounts back by $25,408.
Standard equipment: Both trim levels include: power window, locks and mirrors; air conditioning; five-speed manual transmission; cruise control; tilt steering wheel; power-assist rack-and-pinion steering and fog lamps. Up level SLE add eight-way adjustable power driver's seat, automatic climate control, heated side-view mirrors, compact disc player, outside temperature gauge and auto-dimming rear-view mirror.
Options: Power moonroofs and mudguards are optional in both trim levels. The entry-level SE includes compact disc players and adjustable power seats as options, both of which come standard in SLE. Solara also offers select "sport package" options adding a rear spoiler and larger wheel and tires.
Interior: Dark wood grain trim runs along both doors connecting with the dashboard. On the floor, left of the driver's seat Toyota integrates both trunk and fuel-tank door release levers. Two in-line cup holders with individual flip-covers, a storage bin and hand-operated emergency brake situate between standard front bucket seats. Three large, horizontally arranged, easy-to-grab dials control fan direction, speed and temperature settings. The stereo system rests above ventilation controls and a digital clock, separate from the extra large radio frequency display, is positioned at the pinnacle of the dashboard. Power window and lock buttons are on both doors. Power mirror controls are left of the steering column on the dashboard. Instead of a steering column location, the ignition switch is found on the dashboard. Windshiled wipers operate from a right-hand side steering column stalk. The instrument panel consists of a central circular speedometer flanked by a tachometer on the right, and gas and temperature gauges on the left. Only the odometer is digital, all other instrument panel controls are analog. Toyota and it's Lexus luxury vehicle division go to great lengths keeping engine noise under the hood and away from the passenger compartment. Solara carries on this tradition with an eloquently quiet interior thanks in part to a foam-filled roof and pillar panels.
Seating comfort: Leather interiors come standard in SLE editions while SE features cloth seating. Leather nuances are optional in SE. Maneuvering to the rear is made easier by a front passenger seat that easily sides forward once the backrest tilts down. In back, two adults travel most comfortably; three's a crowd. Rear backrests include a 60/40 split for easy trunk access when carting skis or other long items. Lightweight, long doors swing out wide enough allowing back seat access. Back windows remain constantly closed. Headroom is bit tight in front for travelers six feet or taller both in front and back. Leg room, however, remains plentiful. Thin roof pillars minimize blind spots.
Exterior: The two-door Solara presents a bolder look compared its more conservative, four-door Camry counterpart. From the rear, Solara resembles Lexus' SC coupe. Toyota's chrome, circular logo, takes center stage on the front grille while "cat's eye" headlights wrap around to side fenders. Toyota chose to promote the coupe with "Solara" rather than "Camry Solara" badging throughout the interior and exterior. Flush-mounted, body color door handles add to a smooth finish. The square, locking, fuel tank door is found on the left rear quarter panel. Inside the door is a place to hang the fuel cap while filling up, but no tether cord attaches the cover to the car. Car wash will not damage radio antennas since Toyota molds it into the rear window. Body-colored side view mirrors are stationary rather than the more forgiving break-away design that fold in when encountering immovable objects. Fifteen-inch tires and wheels come standard. Larger, 16-inch versions are optional when ordering sport package options. Exterior colors include: red flame metallic, autumn red mica, white pearl, silver stream opalescent, black metallic, sandrift metallic and twilight blue metallic.
Dimensions: Wheelbase: 105.1 inches Overall length: 190.0 inches Overall width: 71.1 inches Overall height 55.1 inches Front headroom: 38.3 inches Weight: 3,230 pounds
Fuel economy: Solara holds 18.5 gallons of unleaded fuel. Six-cylinder versions mated with a five-speed manual transmission register 21 miles per gallon city and 28 m.p.g. highway; above average for a mid-size, V-6 coupe. The same size engine with four-speed automatic transmission averages 20 m.p.g. city and 28 m.p.g. on the highway, not much of a difference. The fuel-efficient leader, a Solara four-cylinder with five-speed manual, averages 23 m.p.g. city and 32 m.p.g. highway. Toyota recommends regular 87 octane fuel for four-cylinder Solaras, but slower burning, mid-grade 91 octane for six-cylinder engines.
Trunk: Solara's trunk volume of 13.8 cubic feet is a shade under Camry's sedan's 14.1 figure, but a tad larger than the Accord coupe's 13.6 cubic feet. The spare tire stows under the flat-floored bottom.
Final thoughts: If you're a believer in Camry sedans, Solara won't disappoint. An entry-level Solara and a similarly equipped two-door Honda Accord share similiar price ranges. Toyota estimates 80 percent of Solaras sold will include the larger V-6 powertrains. Solara's stiffer sport suspension separates its ride from the Camry sedan. With anti-lock brakes and traction control, the front-wheel drive Solara stood up exceptionally well against snow and ice conditions in recent weeks. Toyota estimates between 50,000 and 60,000 Solara sales in 1999. |