INFORMATION SUPPLIED BY TOYOTA
Toyota Introduces All-New Solara Convertible At The 2004 Chicago Auto Show


Toyota Motor Sales (TMS), U.S.A., Inc., introduced its all-new Camry Solara Convertible during a press conference today at the 2004 Chicago Auto Show. The Solara Convertible will go on sale in March and will join the all-new second generation Solara Coupe, which launched last summer.

Distinguished by a power retractable convertible roof, headliner and rear glass window, the new model shares the same sleek, exterior design, roomy and luxurious interior, and sporty performance as the Solara Coupe.

The Solara Convertible will be manufactured exclusively at Toyota Motor Manufacturing, Kentucky in Georgetown. Toyota's manufacturing process allows the Convertible to be produced in low volumes and with exceptional quality. Rather than implementing the conventional method of cutting the top off of a coupe and adding the convertible top, the vehicle has been designed as a convertible from its conception, a process that ensures no compromises with design, performance or quality.

"For the first time ever the Solara Convertible has a wholly dedicated convertible body," said Don Esmond, Toyota Division senior vice president and general manager. "It is a body, styled as fore-thought, not an after-thought."

The Solara Convertible's specially MIG welded frame and thick body panels accommodate the top stack while providing a much higher degree of stiffness, safety, quality, dependability and reliability. The top stack is installed offline by plant team members who ensure the accuracy of receivers, targets, and window seals and check for wind noise and water leaks using an ultrasound device. Reinforcements have been optimally allocated throughout the vehicle to provide significantly higher torsional rigidity resulting in an improved ride, better handling, diminished road and wind noise and increased durability.
Solara Convertible is available in two distinctive model grades: SE, highlighted by sporty metallic-finish interior trim and SLE, with greater content and a woodgrain-style interior trim.

Like the Solara Coupe, the Convertible has a rakish profile and spacious passenger room. The design emphasizes an arc-shaped theme with a continuous line from the front to rear bumper. The ample proportions project a substantial, road-hugging stance.

The grille defines a pronounced V-shaped character line that flows into convex and concave surfaces meant to convey motion. The headlights and taillights anchor and distinctly define the car's corners. The rear combination lamp begins at the end of the character line, forming a "teardrop" shape. New for the Convertible is a rear high-mount stoplight with nine light-emitting diodes on the back belt moulding. A standard rear spoiler and standard 17-inch alloy wheels add sporty flair on both the SLE and SE models. Standard fog lamps also highlight the wider, more aggressive appearance.

Noise is held in check by vibration-damping and noise-suppressant material throughout the cabin, as well as in the wheel housings, dash panel and trunk. The Convertible's unique manufacturing process will aid in wind noise reduction. For additional comfort and suppressed wind turbulence, an available windscreen can be installed.

The four-passenger Convertible provides ample headroom and legroom in the front and rear seats. Compared to the Coupe, the Convertible offers two inches more rear headroom with the top up.

Ten-Second Convertible
For ultimate convenience, the electric convertible roof control system quickly opens or closes in just ten seconds by touching a button on the instrument panel. The soft-top stows behind the rear seat and sits low for a sleek, overall appearance. Solara Convertible is equipped with an all-window control system, allowing drivers to open and close all door- and quarter-windows by pressing one button on the instrument panel.

Sporty Performance
The Convertible's standard all-aluminum, 3.3-liter VVT-i V6 engine produces 225 horsepower at 5,600 RPM and 240 lb.-ft. of torque at 3,600 RPM. Variable Valve Timing with intelligence (VVT-i) ensures a broad torque band for sporty response across the engine speed range. The V6 is teamed exclusively to a five-speed sequential automatic transmission and offers a wide gear-ratio spread for quick acceleration. Electronic controls ensure ultra-smooth shift quality. The driver controls the five-speed sequential automatic with a gated shifter that allows manual shifting for a sporty driving experience.
All Solara Convertibles receive California Level II Ultra Low Emission Vehicle (ULEV-II) and EPA Tier II Bin 5 certification, underscoring Toyota's commitment to environmental compatibility.

The front and rear suspension in the Solara Convertible is mounted to anti-vibration sub-frames, ensuring a smooth, quiet ride that can be compared with many luxury models. Solara Convertible further delivers on its promise of more fun-to-drive performance by using a sport-tuned suspension in both grades.

Newly tuned springs, front and rear stabilizer bars, and an underbody diamond-shaped brace reduce body roll and pitch, resulting in a stable yet enlivened steering feel and response.

 

Safety
Standard four-wheel disc brakes and an anti-lock brake system (ABS) with electronic brake-force distribution (EBD) help provide responsive, reliable, safe stopping power on all Solara Convertible models. The Convertible also offers vehicle stability (VSC) and traction control (TRAC) systems as optional equipment.

All Solara Convertible models are equipped with standard front seat-mounted side airbags as well as dual stage SRS airbags for driver and passenger that include an occupant classification sensor. A new magnetic front seat belt guide improves in-and-out access of the rear passengers and the ease of loading and unloading of cargo.

Source: Autoweek

 

Thanks,

That half looks very nice. Now, how does it look with the top up? Any idea on pricing?

George

 

Interesting. Looks like it's a SOFT-TOP and a V6. MSRP on the regular Solara is about $27K so my guess would be the convertible would be about $35K?


I wonder if we'll ever see a Lexus SC 330 V6 Coupe (No Convertible) for $45K?

 

 

Hmmm. wonder if the TRD supercharger fits on this....

 

Pretty Sure It does.

-Anthony

 

It is a SC330

 

another beautiful car from toyota

 

that thing probly looks nasty with the top up. i can't believe people still make soft tops.

 

i like it....weird at 1st cus it look sclosely like the sc but its different in a way

 

Yes, it's a nice car, but the marketing is all wrong. This car SHOULD have been designed from the very start as the new Lexus SC330, with a real Lexus SC-wood-and-leather interior and power metal top instead of that soft top and painted plastic trim inside. The old Solara convertible didn't sell that well to start with......it got a lot of competition from the Chrysler 4-seat convertibles. Camry and Solara sedans, of course, sell in huge numbers....especially the Camrys. The reason that it should have been designed as a Lexus to start with is that the SC430 is simply too expensive for many people (61K) .......a more affordable version like an SC330 that would sell for maybe $40-45K would have made far more sense. I'm NOT saying drop the SC430....just offer a less expensive SC330 version alongside it like Lexus did in the 1990's. In fact, why Lexus dropped the lower-priced SC's in the first place is a good question.

 

Got this off of solaraguy.com:

Toyota promises that the new convertible—which will be assembled at Toyota’s Georgetown, Kentucky, plant—will be a better value than its predecessor, so expect pricing to start around the current V-6 car’s tag of $28,560.



Anyone who complains that this car is a soft top is a boob. Of course a hard top would be great, but remember this is a Toyota, not a Lexus. Cost is very important.

 

Well, a couple years ago, there was a strong rumor saying there was to be a SC330, the one we have with a V-6 engine. I guess they want to keep the exclusivity.

I always wondered why Lexus never made a 2 door coupe off the Camry. They make the ES 300. I guess since the next IS is coming in coupe form, that is where our sub40k coupe is coming from.
The SC 300/400 started off a 35k car, b/c of the yen, it ended up being a 45-55k car. Price had a lot to do with it's declining sales.

 

In that top up side view, does anyone else think it looks like the Volvo C70? Not that I mind that car but it seems odd that it looks so similar. Under 30K huh? Hmmmm.

George