1997 Toyota Camry SEL Sport Utility 4D

The standard of the automobile industry has been raised with the introduction of the 1997 Toyota Camry., , Built in Georgetown, Ky., the Camry always has been a formidable automotive product, and this latest model is designed to set a benchmark among midsized sedans., , Quieter, lighter and more powerful, the new Camry is being offered exclusively as a four-door sedan in CE, LE and XLE models, and with four- cylinder and V-6 engines., , "The LE with a four-cylinder and an automatic transmission ($20,485) is the best seller," said Bruce Copenhaver, sales manager for Tom Wood Toyota., , Adopting the formula "bigger is better," the new four-door is larger in most major dimensions. For starters, designers stretched the chassis by 2 inches, giving it a wheelbase of 105.2 inches and an overall length of 188.5 inches., , The stylists have created a shorter front and rear overhang, a lower beltline, and a sharply swept-back windshield., , The styling can't be called revolutionary, but the result is a pretty slick-looking sedan. Co-efficient of drag has been reduced from a respectable 0.33 to a quite slippery 0.30. This delivers the dual advantage of lower wind noise and improved fuel economy., , The Camry follows the basic five-passenger layout of two bucket seats in front and a bench in the rear. Seat bottoms in the front have been extended forward to better accommodate the typical American driver, and the seats have a stepless reclining feature., , On the top-of-the-line XLE model ($26,783), a manual lumbar support has been repositioned for improved access, and the passenger seat now has power adjustment as standard equipment., , The Camry's instrumentation also is basic in that it is a four-gauge system of speedometer, tachometer, fuel and temperature. However, the analog gauges are larger and brighter, and utilize a white-on-black design. A low-washer-fluid light and a combination odometer/dual-trip meter displays have been added., , As long as you're going to build a new car, you might as make it user- friendly. So, new convenience features include a built-in center console tissue holder, adjustable visor extension plates for greater sun blockage, covered and lighted vanity mirrors and an overhead console that can be customized., , New solar green-tinted glass blocks more of the sun's heat while reducing glare. The glass reflects more of the sun's rays, and maintains a more insulated cabin even after hours of exposure to the sun., , This V-6 is a four-cam, 24-valve job that puts out 194- horsepower and 209 foot-pounds of torque. That's an increase of six horses over last year's V-6 and an increase of six foot pounds of torque., , For drag racers, a CE V-6 with a five-speed is the way to go, as 0-60 mph comes in at 7.6 seconds. With an automatic, 0-60 mph is 8.7 seconds.