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Toyota Teases Camry TRD, Avalon TRD Like There’s No Tomorrow

Even though the Camry and Avalon are some of the most clinical cars in existence today, Toyota is trying to make them seem as interesting as possible with the help of Toyota Racing Development. But the truth of the matter is, they’re volume cars through and through, with or without the TRD package.
Toyota Teases Camry TRD 8 photos
Photo: Toyota
2019 Toyota Camry TRD and 2019 Toyota Avalon TRD2019 Toyota Avalon TRD2019 Toyota Camry TRD2019 Toyota Camry TRD2019 Toyota Camry TRD2019 Toyota Camry TRD2019 Toyota Camry TRD
One of the video teasers posted on Facebook includes a gentleman wearing a branded T-shirt, who believes that “you’re gonna appreciate this for sure” if you’re a “racecar driver.” Marketing in the United States has seen ups and downs, but Toyota came up with a downer this time around.

The video teasers further reveal the extent of the TRD package, starting with the 3.5-liter naturally aspirated V6 breathing through a dual-exhaust system with chromed tailpipes. The Camry TRD comes with a gloss-black wing on the trunk lid and gloss-black aerodynamic diffuser, along with more aggressive side skirts.

Both models come with TRD-exclusive wheels and an upgraded brake system with red-painted calipers, aerodynamic lip at the bottom of the front bumper, and two-tone upholstery combining microfiber (possibly Alcantara) with leather. Based on the stance, the Avalon and Camry benefit from an upgraded suspension as well as part of the TRD package.

Scheduled to go official in a couple of weeks at the 2018 Los Angeles Auto Show, the Camry TRD and Avalon TRD are endorsed by NASCAR racing driver Martin Truex Jr. and Rutledge Wood of Top Gear USA fame. In other words, Toyota North America is throwing greenback in all directions, trying to make us believe these models are the real deal for those who commend driving dynamics more than anything else.

At the end of the day, waxing lyrical can do so much for the plebian reputation of a mid- and full-size sedan, both coming with front-wheel drive. Honda and Nissan follow the same recipe in these segments, and none of these three Japanese automakers intend to go rear-wheel drive for the sake of developing a bonafide sports sedan.


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About the author: Mircea Panait
Mircea Panait profile photo

After a 1:43 scale model of a Ferrari 250 GTO sparked Mircea's interest for cars when he was a kid, an early internship at Top Gear sealed his career path. He's most interested in muscle cars and American trucks, but he takes a passing interest in quirky kei cars as well.
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