Skip to main content

Nip/Tuck: Special edition Toyota Camry and Corolla, facelifted Avalon Chicago-bound

The 2015 Detroit Auto Show will be the display case for exciting concepts, rip-roaring performance cars, and eye-catching production vehicles.

Unfortunately, none of those will be discussed here … sorry.

Toyota has revealed special editions of the Camry and Corolla, which will debut at the event on February 12th.

The Camry is America’s best-selling car, and the Special Edition gets what Toyota calls “an extra dose of both aggressiveness and technology.”

In practical terms, that means exclusive 18-inch alloys, smoked tails, bespoke blue interior stitching, and new seats. The limited model also equips Qi wireless smartphone charging and a refreshed gauge cluster. It will be available in either Blizzard Pearl or the new Blue Streak Metallic finish.

The smaller Corolla, which is in desperate need of a lowering kit, is based on the S trim. It features 17-inch wheels with a gloss black finish, red interior accents, a push button start, and Toyota’s EnTune infotainment system. Color choices will be Absolutely Red, Super White and Black Sand Pearl.

The duo will produced in small numbers (for Toyota), meaning 12,000 Camrys and 8,000 Corollas will be made. Both editions will begin production in August and be offered for about five months.

Also headed for the event is the 2016 Avalon. Currently in its fourth generation, the facelifted sedan now incorporates the wide-mouthed front fascia seen on the latest Camry, Corolla, and Yaris.

Toyota Avalon 2016
Image used with permission by copyright holder

The Avalon also wears vertical LED foglights and will likely have a spruced-up interior as well. Engine choices will probably carry over, which means two options: a 3.5-liter V6 making 268 horsepower and 248 pound-feet of torque, or a hybrid 2.5-liter four-cylinder with a combined output of 200 hp.

Andrew Hard
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Andrew first started writing in middle school and hasn't put the pen down since. Whether it's technology, music, sports, or…
Mini’s infotainment system is very charming, but still needs work
Main screen of the Mini infotainment system

When you think Mini, you probably don’t think of infotainment. Personally, I think of the British flag taillights, the distinct exterior, and the surprising room on the inside. But after driving the Mini John Cooper Works Countryman over the past week, infotainment might well be something I think of more often when it comes to Mini. It’s charming.

It also, however, suffers from all the traps that other legacy automakers fall into when it comes to software design. Mini has something on its hands here — but it still needs some work.
Bringing the charm
The first thing that stood out to me about the system when I got in the car was how fun it was. That all starts with the display. It’s round! No, it’s not curved — the screen is a big, round display sits in at 9.4 inches, and I found it plenty large enough for day-to-day use.

Read more
Plug-in hybrids are becoming more popular. Why? And will it continue?
Kia Niro EV Charging Port

There's a lot of talk about the idea that the growth in electric car sales has kind of slowed a little. It's not all that surprising -- EVs are still expensive, early adopters all have one by now, and they're still new enough to where there aren't too many ultra-affordable used EVs available. But plenty of people still want a greener vehicle, and that has given rise to an explosion in hybrid vehicle sales.

That's especially true of plug-in hybrid vehicles, which can be charged like an EV and driven in all-electric mode for short distances, and have a gas engine as a backup for longer distances or to be used in combination with electric mode for more efficient driving.

Read more
EV drivers are not going back to gas cars, global survey says
ev drivers are not going back to gas cars global survey says screenshot

Nearly all current owners of electric vehicles (EVs) are either satisfied or very satisfied with the experience, and 92% of them plan to buy another EV, according to a survey by the Global EV Drivers Alliance.

The survey of 23,000 EV drivers worldwide found that only 1% would return to a petrol or diesel car, while 4% would opt for a plug-in hybrid (PHEV) if they had to replace their car.

Read more