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Toyota Solara sporty coupe slides off the platform of Camry
Bob Plunkett
Date Posted: 5/10/2005
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CARMEL VALLEY, Calif. -- Pushing a so-smooth sporty coupe through a set of wiggly canyon curves on a narrow strip of blacktop demonstrates that Toyota's newest car comes with a serious quotient of driving excitement laced into the taut independent suspension and quick rack and pinion steering systems.
It feels firm and substantial, yet behaves with definite athletic manners when pressed to perform aggressive tricks on pavement.
And for those ensconced on two bolstered bucket seats, this one sounds uncommonly quiet when underway, emulating an ultimate luxury car.
A day of driving all three versions of Solara -- the new name for a new Toyota coupe -- prompted one critical tester to label it as bulletproof: It's virtually perfect in action, tone and appearance.
Of course, creating the perfect car is a feat already familiar to automotive developers at Toyota, which builds America's best-selling sedan, the mid-size Camry, at a Toyota assembly plant in Kentucky along with an expanded full-size version called Avalon.
Both Camry and Avalon ride and drive with the precise attitude of a premium luxury machine like those by Lexus, the elite spin-off brand by Toyota, and many of the engineering advances by Lexus for ride quality and control of noise and vibration show up in Camry and Avalon.
These impressive traits now also apply to Solara.
This seems reasonable when you understand that the essence of 2-door Solara stems from 4-door Camry.
The pair share the same rigid chassis, the same 4-cylinder and V6 engines and both manual and automatic transmissions, as well as suspension and brakes and steering gear. Tweaking suspension settings and adding platform braces to Solara forces a firm ride quality.
Styling for Solara originated at Toyota's design center in Newport Beach, Calif., with engineering designs spanning the Pacific Ocean in a joint effort between studios in Toyota City, Japan, and Ann Arbor, Mich. Production occurs in Canada at Toyota's plant in Cambridge, Ontario.
The design, aimed expressly at an American audience, caters to those of reasonable means who desire the comfort and perks of a fine sedan but also appreciate the dramatic styling and acute handling characteristics of a sports car.
Although underpinnings come from a sedately styled Camry, Solara doesn't look like a Camry.
The sleek face displays a rakish format with sloping hood and smoothly rounded nose, which integrates a subtle and narrow grille between corner composite headlamps.
Compared to Camry, the front edge of Solara's laid-back windshield initiates a rise to the roof sooner so it effects a smoother transition between hood and glass. This creates a racy aerodynamic sweep over the cabin which culminates in a slow and gradual descent to the cropped tail.
Solara's slippery exterior conceals a passenger compartment of ample proportions, as confirmed by measurements that peg this one in mid-size class.
Wheelbase extends to 105.1 inches, with overall length drawn at 190 inches and a width of 71.1 inches. This stretched package translates to superior interior room for riders, particularly in the rear seat where space for heads and legs is surprisingly generous for a coupe design.
Solara's large stance reflects a design goal at Toyota to Americanize its mainstream car models.
Although Solara may be generally classified as "Japanese" due to parentage by Toyota, the car not only is assembled in North America but is built strictly for American consumers, and about 75 percent of its equipment comes from American suppliers.
This American slant shows up in subtle ways inside Solara, such as dimensions for head and leg space. Adults in the United States generally have longer legs and taller torsos than the typical Japanese rider, so we need more interior inches devoted to legroom and more space overhead to keep from bumping the headliner.
Solara's seats serve as example. Seat bottoms extend forward to better cradle longer thighs of American bodies.
Many other aspects of Solara's cabin reflect a goal to make appointments friendly and convenient.
Analog gauges of the instrument panel with easy-read graphics appear big and bright. Controls for audio and interior climate system stand in the console cluster for logical arrangement, with those frequently used placed in more accessible spots. Cupholders -- a unique compassion of Americans -- are plentiful and convenient.
Thoughtful touches scattered throughout Solara's cabin include multiple storage spaces and practical appointments, such as the overhead console, secondary power outlet and visor extension panels.
Perhaps the best asset is Solara's quietness. Intense use of insulating materials block external noise -- even from the engine. This quality of quietness imparts a discriminating flavor through Solara's interior -- you feel dressed up and fancy, like you're in a mega-bucks car.
As for power, Solara scoots.
The base twin-cam 2.2-liter 4-cylinder engine works well with output pushed to 135 hp, but the 3.0-liter V6 -- in twin-cam format zapped to 200 hp -- puts a definite kick in Solara's pedal. Either engine mates with a 5-speed manual or smooth electronic automatic 4-speed transmission.
Pick a trim to clarify Solara's personality.
In base SE trim Solara skews toward the economical, first for purchase price, later with operating expenses. Mid-level SE V6 adds power and brings optional luxury items in packages. Ultimate SLE V6, primed for performance and rigged with fancy fixtures, mimics expensive luxury imports in content and action but for far more affordable prices.
Regarding safety issues, anti-lock brakes are standard with the V6, but optional for the 4-pack. Also, Solara has optional side-impact airbags, and traction control on SLE.
Air conditioning ranks as standard gear on all Solaras, along with power windows and door locks, cruise control and a deluxe AM/FM/cassette system. Top-flight SLE V6 gets a keyless entry and security system, 200-watt JBL audio with CD deck and eight speakers, plus automatic climate control.
A Sport Package with firm suspension settings, rear spoiler and 16-inch alloy wheels goes with the V6 engine.
1999 TOYOTA SOLARA COUPE
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| Vehicle Specifications: |
| 1999 TOYOTA SOLARA COUPE Specs |
| Description: |
Mid-size sports coupe |
| Model Options: |
Mid-size sports coupe |
| Wheelbase: |
105.1 inches |
| Overall Length: |
190.0 inches
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| Engine Size: |
DOHC 2.2-L I4
DOHC 3.0-L V6
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| Transmission: |
Manual/5, Auto/4 |
| Drive: |
Front |
| Braking: |
I4: Power disc/drum/ABS opt.
V6: Power 4-disc/ABS |
| Airbags: |
2 + 2 opt. |
| Gas Mileage: |
I4 M/5: 23/32 mpg
V6 A/4: 20/28 mpg |
| Price: |
$ 18,650 to $ 26,000 |
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