Will this Camry TRD ever be introduced in ASEAN?
Initially, the “TRD” branding for Toyota Racing Development was seen only on off-road toughened Toyota trucks and SUVs.
However, TRD has been deeply involved with all facets of Toyota Motorsports for more than 40 years, with a trophy case full from victories in rallying, IMSA® GTO and GTP® road racing, NASCAR® and NHRA® Funny Car racing.
The sophisticated, high-strength TNGA-K platform that underpins the Camry (including the recently launched Malaysian version of the Camry) was like an open invitation for TRD to rev up the sedan’s performance.
The result was the first-ever Camry TRD performance model for 2020, and this road-tamer continues for 2022 with first-class standard features, including Blind Spot Monitor with Rear Cross Traffic Alert. The JBL Premium Audio system is an option on Camry TRD just as it is on other grades.
The Camry TRD is equipped exclusively with a direct-injected, 301-horsepower DOHC 3.5-liter V-6 teamed with the Direct-Shift eight-speed automatic transmission featuring sport mode and paddle shifters. A specially-tuned TRD cat-back dual exhaust system conveys a throatier idle and acceleration tone.
The TRD Look + Function
The aerodynamic body kit, which includes a front splitter, side aero skirts, trunk lid spoiler and rear diffuser, not only adds a track-ready look but also improves high speed vehicle stability. Camry TRD wears a gloss black front grille with a sport mesh insert and black exterior badging.
Distinctive red pin-striping, red painted brake calipers, red TRD badging and polished stainless steel TRD exhaust tips complete the road-hungry look. The 2022 Camry TRD is available in solid Midnight Black Metallic or in two-tone schemes featuring new Cavalry Blue or Wind Chill Pearl with a Midnight Black Metallic roof.
In the cabin, the TRD treatment outfits the Camry with Black Sport SofTex®-trimmed front seats with white accents and red-stitched TRD embroidered headrests. The leather-wrapped steering wheel also has red stitching, and even the seatbelts are red.
A shift knob with an embossed TRD logo, along with unique TRD floor and trunk mats, and a unique TRD meter with red-illuminated accents and multi-information display (MID) start-up animation complete the cabin upgrades.
TRD Handling Thrills
TRD engineers developed this special Camry’s dynamic characteristics through extensive testing at Toyota Arizona Proving Ground, TMC Higashi-Fuji Proving Ground (Japan) and Motor-Sport Ranch (Texas). Chassis enhancements abound, including thicker underbody braces that increase torsional rigidity.
The TRD-tuned suspension lowers Camry by 0.6 inches for a reduced center of gravity and more aggressive stance. Stiffer coil springs and sway bars increase roll stiffness by 44% in the front and 67 percent in the rear.
A unique set of TRD shock absorbers, 19 x 8.5-inch matte-black alloy wheels and optional Bridgestone Potenza 235/40R19 summer tires complete a chassis package that improves body control, handling agility and steering precision.
The Camry TRD’s front brakes are larger with 12.9-inch diameter rotors and dual-piston calipers, compared to 12.0-inch rotors and single piston calipers on the Camry XSE grade. Brake performance is tuned to provide more direct feedback.
