For starters, the Camry as the sports sedan?
In recent years, Volvo’s image has dramatically changed, thanks to cars that pack more heat and are wrapped in sheetmetal that’s infinitely more sensuous than ever. Gone are the staid boxes and boring straight lines of the previous models, replaced instead with contours that are almost sculptural in form. Volvos have evolved into true Swedish erotica pieces. And as proven by numerous jaunts aboard the S60 and S80 sedans, the new Volvos do live up to the "exciting" tag as far as driving fun quotient is concerned. It is with giddy anticipation then to come face to face with the S40 T4.
After all, the T4 is a muscled-up variant of the purportedly sporty S40. Brandishing 16-inch wheels, aggressive 50-series tires and firmer suspension settings, the T4 has 200 horses under that hood that are at the beck and call of one’s right foot. Going by spec sheets and appearances, the T4 is clearly the sports sedan.
Meanwhile, Toyota’s newest Camry arrives carrying a baggage of reliable-and-indestructible-yet-bland-appliance cars reputation. Over the years, Camrys have consistently appeared on top-car lists almost everywhere these cars are sold, particularly in the US, the world’s biggest car market. But previous Camrys were chart-toppers not by being must-drive fun machines, but by being the refrigerator/toaster-like appliance cars buyers have perceived them to be. Hard to fault, yes, but difficult to love either.
But that is no longer the case with the latest Camry. The new car’s styling is a departure from all its predecessors. The perspective from the driver’s seat is equally refreshing as well, especially when viewed from the 2.4V model. Suddenly, all preconceived notions on exactly what a supposed Japanese appliance car and a pumped-up Swedish erotica machine are thrown out the window.
A good place to start this argument is in the cars’ styling, which raises a question on what these vehicles’ supposed roles are.
The T4 is the more adventurous of the two. Its styling cues are more pronounced, its details more elaborate. From one end of the bumper to the other, the T4 teems with intricate pieces, suggestive bulges, and lines appearing and disappearing, seamlessly merging one detail with another. The S40 may be little brother to the S60 and the S80, but it doesn’t mean it’s a cheap rendition of its siblings. It’s not even a scaled down version, but a distinct car that merely dips on the same design gene pool.
Toyota, for its part, did away with the previous generation Camry’s conservative and unassuming stance. The new Camry has sheetmetal that’s more like liquid metal. Flowing. Dynamic. Hot. Yet the new car’s styling still manages to come across as clean and simple. Its no-frills design confidently mature and vibrant at once.
And therein lies the surprise. Since when was a Toyota understatedly elegant while a Volvo almost ornate by contrast?
Both cars’ interiors, though, retain most of the virtues and character expected from each, reassuring to a certain degree people who may not find surprises appealing. The T4 and Camry have practically the same level of fit and finish, and equipped with virtually the same features as well. But the T4 boasts a moonroof and essentially all the safety stuff Volvos are known for. The T4 also has a cozier feel about its interiors, the darker hues of the wood grain trim, creamier leather and snug seats complementing one another. In comparison, the Camry packs gee-whiz gizmos and gaudy multi-colored dancing lights. Its interior appears brighter, especially the wood grain, which is more orange than brown. Expectedly, it’s the Euro car that exhibited more restraint and subtlety.
Driving the cars, though, yielded the biggest surprise.
Stomp on the T4’s gas pedal and once the turbo spools up, the car’s normally docile nature is replaced by utter havoc. This car does not merely accelerate, it becomes a sculpted piece of projectile spewed out of a controlled explosion. You mutter to yourself this is what 200 horsepower feels like. That is assuming you can mutter while having a stupid grin on your face at the same time. At this point, you’re definitely thinking "sports sedan."
Then you approach a corner.
Confident the meaty rubbers and firm suspension will take care of things, you flick the steering wheel while trying to do your best Swedish Touring Car Championship driver impression. The car’s response is immediate. To be precise, the response comes immediately after the car holds an emergency meeting with all of the parts concerned in the turning process. Turn hard now? The T4 seems to ask. Oh, okay. But let us talk things over first and we’ll let you know in a moment.
Suddenly, the sports sedan expectation is replaced with more mild-mannered luxury touring car images. You realize the car leans on corners more than you had expected, and start to learn to appreciate the silken and hushed ride quality. If you want to travel fast in this car, push it hard on the straightaways where the turbo does its magic, but take it easy on switchback corners.
On the other hand, you expect the Camry to have a passive disposition. It’s a relatively big car, for one thing, and the tires don’t look aggressive enough. Also, despite the vivacious styling, it’s still difficult to discard the appliance car tag. Until you switch on the ignition.
The Camry’s acceleration isn’t as fast as the T4’s, giving up a 40-horsepower disadvantage and some poundage. But it’s no slowpoke either. And once up to speed, can run with the best. The big surprise, however, is the agility this car has. It moves with rapid reflexes accomplished in an almost surreal smoothness. Yes, the car also leans when cornering, but its responses remain sharp, it’s actions surefooted. On Subic’s winding roads, the car is a treat, not losing its composure even if the tires are already squealing in protest. Or was it delight?
As it turns out it’s the supposedly luxury car Camry that is the sports sedan jock while it’s the T4 that is the luxo-ride snob. However, both cars did admirably perform its dual roles of providing luxurious comforts coupled with spirited sportiness. But one role is innately more prominent than the other, and it’s the dominant one that will show through no matter what. The surprise is the Camry and the T4 are exactly the opposite of what was initially expected of it. It may not be a complete reversal of roles for the two, but a redefinition of the rules is clearly established.