Segment: Medium
Production years: 1983, 1984, 1985, 1986, 1987
What started as a version of the Celica became a distinct lineup in 1982, when the first generation of the Toyota Camry appeared on the market.
After the second oil crisis in the late 70s, many customers started to look for more fuel-efficient vehicles. But unfortunately, most American cars were big. So, despite the CAFE agreement, they couldn't have been named as economical compared to most Japanese cars. Toyota noticed this advantage and introduced the Camry in 1983 with small, four-cylinder engines and enough amenities inside to get a bigger slice of the market.
Toyota couldn't have won any design contest for the wedged-shaped, first-generation Camry. It was a car that matched the "form follow function" concept, which was enough for many customers. The narrow front fascia with squared headlights and the slatted grille was just the beginning. The Camry's straight lines and flat panels were far from being everyone's cup of tea. But those shapes helped the carmaker keep the production costs low. And yet, it added a particular upscale detail: a small window behind the rear doors.
Toyota could create a spacious interior by using a front-wheel drive platform with a transverse-mounted engine. The motor didn't intrude in the cabin, and thus the front seats could've been moved forward. That led to increased legroom for rear passengers who were seated on a bench profiled for two occupants. The driver faced a squared-looking instrument cluster filled with all the dials and gauges they needed. Moreover, Toyota even installed an LED digital clock next to the tachometer.
Under the hood, Toyota installed a choice of two inline-four gasoline engines for the American market, while other countries also got two diesel versions. Also, for U.S. customers, Toyota offered a four-speed automatic transmission as an option.
ENGINE SPECS - 1.8L 5MT FWD FWD (90 HP) | |
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Cylinders: | L4 |
Displacement: | 1832 cm3 |
Power: | 66 KW @ 5400 RPM 90 HP @ 5400 RPM 89 BHP @ 5400 RPM |
Torque: | 105 lb-ft @ 3400 RPM 142 Nm @ 3400 RPM |
Fuel System: | Carburetor |
Fuel: | Gasoline |
Fuel capacity: | 14.5 gallons (54.9 L) |
PERFORMANCE SPECS | |
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Top Speed: | 108.7 mph (175 km/h) |
Acceleration 0-62 Mph (0-100 kph): | 12 s |
TRANSMISSION SPECS | |
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Drive Type: | Front Wheel Drive |
Gearbox: | 5-speed manual |
BRAKES SPECS | |
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Front: | Ventilated Discs |
Rear: | Drums |
TIRES SPECS | |
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Tire Size: | 185/70 HR13 |
DIMENSIONS | |
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Length: | 174.8 in (4440 mm) |
Width: | 66.5 in (1689 mm) |
Height: | 55.1 in (1400 mm) |
Front/rear Track: | 57.5/55.9 in (1,461/1,420 mm) |
Wheelbase: | 102.4 in (2601 mm) |
Ground Clearance: | 6.7 in (170 mm) |
Cargo Volume: | 13.6 cuFT (385 L) |
Aerodynamics (Cd): | 0.36 |
WEIGHT SPECS | |
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Unladen Weight: | 2235.5 lbs (1014 kg) |
Gross Weight Limit: | 3472.3 lbs (1575 kg) |
FUEL ECONOMY (NEDC) | |
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Combined: | 30.5 mpg US (7.7 L/100Km) |
CO2 Emissions: | 145.2 g/km |
ENGINE SPECS - 2.0L 5MT FWD (107 HP) | |
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Cylinders: | L4 |
Displacement: | 1995 cm3 |
Power: | 78.7 KW @ 5200 RPM 107 HP @ 5200 RPM 106 BHP @ 5200 RPM |
Fuel System: | Carburetor |
Fuel: | Gasoline |
Fuel capacity: | 14.5 gallons (54.9 L) |
PERFORMANCE SPECS | |
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Top Speed: | 112 mph (180 km/h) |
Acceleration 0-62 Mph (0-100 kph): | 11.5 s |
TRANSMISSION SPECS | |
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Drive Type: | Front Wheel Drive |
Gearbox: | 5-speed manual |
BRAKES SPECS | |
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Front: | Ventilated Discs |
Rear: | Drums |
TIRES SPECS | |
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Tire Size: | 185/70HR13 |
DIMENSIONS | |
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Length: | 173.8 in (4415 mm) |
Width: | 66.5 in (1689 mm) |
Height: | 53.9 in (1369 mm) |
Front/rear Track: | 57.7/55.9 in (1,466/1,420 mm) |
Wheelbase: | 102.4 in (2601 mm) |
Ground Clearance: | 6.7 in (170 mm) |
Cargo Volume: | 13.4 cuFT (379 L) |
Aerodynamics (Cd): | 0.36 |
WEIGHT SPECS | |
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Unladen Weight: | 2414 lbs (1095 kg) |
Gross Weight Limit: | 3648.7 lbs (1655 kg) |
ENGINE SPECS - 1.8L TD 5MT FWD (73 HP) | |
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Cylinders: | L4 |
Displacement: | 1839 cm3 |
Power: | 54 KW @ 4500 RPM 73 HP @ 4500 RPM 72 BHP @ 4500 RPM |
Torque: | 107 lb-ft @ 2600 RPM 145 Nm @ 2600 RPM |
Fuel System: | Indirect Injection |
Fuel: | Diesel |
Fuel capacity: | 14.5 gallons (54.9 L) |
PERFORMANCE SPECS | |
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Top Speed: | 102.5 mph (165 km/h) |
Acceleration 0-62 Mph (0-100 kph): | 14.2 s |
TRANSMISSION SPECS | |
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Drive Type: | Front Wheel Drive |
Gearbox: | 5-speed manual |
BRAKES SPECS | |
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Front: | Ventilated Discs |
Rear: | Drums |
TIRES SPECS | |
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Tire Size: | 185/70 HR13 |
DIMENSIONS | |
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Length: | 174.8 in (4440 mm) |
Width: | 66.5 in (1689 mm) |
Height: | 55.1 in (1400 mm) |
Front/rear Track: | 57.5/55.9 in (1,461/1,420 mm) |
Wheelbase: | 102.4 in (2601 mm) |
Ground Clearance: | 6.7 in (170 mm) |
Cargo Volume: | 13.6 cuFT (385 L) |
Aerodynamics (Cd): | 0.36 |
WEIGHT SPECS | |
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Unladen Weight: | 2425.1 lbs (1100 kg) |
Gross Weight Limit: | 3648.7 lbs (1655 kg) |
FUEL ECONOMY (NEDC) | |
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Combined: | 37.9 mpg US (6.2 L/100Km) |
CO2 Emissions: | 145.2 g/km |
ENGINE SPECS - 2.0L TD 5MT FWD (84 HP) | |
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Cylinders: | L4 |
Displacement: | 1974 cm3 |
Power: | 62 KW @ 4500 RPM 84 HP @ 4500 RPM 83 BHP @ 4500 RPM |
Torque: | 121 lb-ft @ 2200 RPM 164 Nm @ 2200 RPM |
Fuel System: | Indirect Injection |
Fuel: | Diesel |
Fuel capacity: | 14.5 gallons (54.9 L) |
PERFORMANCE SPECS | |
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Top Speed: | 105.6 mph (170 km/h) |
Acceleration 0-62 Mph (0-100 kph): | 13.7 s |
TRANSMISSION SPECS | |
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Drive Type: | Front Wheel Drive |
Gearbox: | 5-speed manual |
BRAKES SPECS | |
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Front: | Ventilated Discs |
Rear: | Drums |
TIRES SPECS | |
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Tire Size: | 185/70 HR13 |
DIMENSIONS | |
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Length: | 174.8 in (4440 mm) |
Width: | 66.5 in (1689 mm) |
Height: | 55.1 in (1400 mm) |
Front/rear Track: | 57.5/55.9 in (1,461/1,420 mm) |
Wheelbase: | 102.4 in (2601 mm) |
Ground Clearance: | 6.7 in (170 mm) |
Cargo Volume: | 13.6 cuFT (385 L) |
Aerodynamics (Cd): | 0.3 |
WEIGHT SPECS | |
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Unladen Weight: | 2442.7 lbs (1108 kg) |
Gross Weight Limit: | 3648.7 lbs (1655 kg) |
FUEL ECONOMY (NEDC) | |
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Combined: | 39.2 mpg US (6 L/100Km) |
CO2 Emissions: | 159 g/km |