Automotive
While the four-door Camry was a dream car for many, Toyota created a special version called Solara as a luxurious two-door coupe aimed at mature drivers.
The Japanese automaker didn’t intend to enter the sports coupe market segment. When the first generation of Solara was launched in 1998, it targeted a different audience. Four years later, in summer 2003, Toyota presented the second generation of this comfortable coupe.
Although the Camry Solara had an aerodynamic design and a sloping windshield, it was not a sports car. Its front end featured a small inverted trapezoidal grille and elliptical headlights that extended over the wheel arches. The robust bumper included two circular fog lights with a wide grille in between. The beltline flowed smoothly across the fenders and doors in a wave-like pattern, while the rear design incorporated slim tail lights. Given its non-sporty nature, Toyota opted against adding a rear wing or even a trunk spoiler.
The interior boasted spacious accommodations with broad front bucket seats lacking side support. The angled center console offered an optional navigation system equipped with large buttons and rotary controls. Following the trend of personal luxury coupes, the cabin came standard with leather upholstery and wood trim on the dashboard.
Powering the vehicle were two gasoline engine options. The range started with a four-cylinder engine, supplemented by a more powerful 3.3-liter V-6 variant. Both engines were mated to a five-speed automatic transmission.
