Toyota does this with all models though. Pre-production models of the next generation are built alongside current generation models. The pre-production models are built by separate teams, and they go through a quality-checking process. I just posted the news to indicate that the new Camry is very close to debut. Pre-production models of the next-gen Rav4 are also apparently due to be built soon in Canada.

I highly doubt spy shots will appear from the plant. Toyota is extremely secretive and stringent in terms of security.

 

Yet more updates...

Someone who claims to have seen the 2012 Camry says the side profile is almost exactly like the E60 5 Series, front end excluded. Picture for reference:



Another person who works at the Kentucky plant claims the 2012 Camry has a few styling cues from the LFA.

Additionally, another person claims the front end of the SE model looks very aggressive, while the interior looks nice. No further comments on the interior unfortunately. The rear tails supposedly look like a mix of the gen 5 and gen 6 tails.

Word is that the new SE model will be more aggressive and differentiated from the other Camry models, and sportier than the current SE model.

Based on all these comments, my guess is that the 2012 Camry tails will be a sleek, curvy wraparound design, maybe a sleeker version of the current gen 6 tails.

 

Keep these updates coming. The E60 isn't a bad shape to mimic, although I hope they don't bustle-butt the trunk. If the current model falls short somewhere, I believe it's with the unecessary sectioned trunk (IMO).

Good idea to make the SE more aggressive. However, the last two redesigns have made the same promise before debuting. Although I do think the current gen's SE differentiates more than the previous gen did. Hopefully that trend continues.

I agree with your taillight prediction. The current ones are very clean, but slightly plain. A slight curve to them would be a decent enhancement. I just hope they don't go vertical like the last gen or brand new Civic. That's an old and econo-car look.

Looking forward to this very important model.

 

I'm looking forward to the new Camry, considering the current strong-selling Camry has the best exterior styling in its class IMO (being a fwd sedan with sleek Euro styling, good proportions, nice greenhouse/roofline and without the ugly big front overhangs so typical of many fwd cars).

 

funny thing is, exterior of camry looked way better than 2nd gen Avensis... i wonder if they will drop the avensis eventually, and just use camry with higher quality interior and suspension... like Rav4 already is for instance.

 

Cue the "Camry copied..." comments when this car comes out. I for one hope this car looks nothing like the E60 or anything else for that matter. Toyota has the ability to make a decent looking original design evidenced by the 2IS, FT86, and other standouts in the past if they really want to.

And I really wish Toyota would give Lexus their own design cues. It's getting hard to tell Lexuses apart from Toyotas and I don't want a Camry carrying LFA traits quite frankly.

 

I agree with the concerns. Frankly, I hope Toyota did not copy the 5 Series or give the Camry LFA styling cues. LFA styling cues should ONLY be for Lexus models IMO. I agree greater differentiation needs to happen. Thankfully models like the IS F and LFA don't look at all like Toyota models, which is a good solid step in the right direction.

The 2012 Camry needs to look good without using Lexus styling cues.

 

Maybe I'm just a fanboi but I rarely have confused a Toyota/Lexus. Oddly I have confused Nissan/infinti/jaguar for Lexus.

 

I took my IS350 to the Lexus dealer today for an oil change and talked a bit with my salesman. He says Lexus told dealers this week that the next-gen ES has been pushed back from a fall 2011 launch to a fall 2012 launch - a full year later than expected even though the Camry is on schedule for later this year. Not sure if it's true or not, but that's what he said.

 

Well to be honest I rarely confuse Toyota models with Lexus or vice-versa. I do feel there are however a lot of styling similarities with Toyota and Lexus models. It would be nice to have more differentiation between Toyota and Lexus models style-wise.

Nissan, Infiniti, Jaguar have been using a lot of Lexus styling cues, so it's not that odd.

Anything is possible, we shall see.

 

? Could it be similar to this?

 

That is interesting. Styling clues from the LFA? on a Camry? I do like the current shape with its sloping roof. I wonder how much sportier the SE will actually be.

 

I bet the LFA styling cues relate to vertical air intakes at the corners of the front bumper. The facelifted Camry Hybrid and latest Prius both have it and it's likely Toyota's new style up front.

 

Maybe, but on other sites it has been said that picture does not really resemble the new Camry.

I have a feeling the LFA styling cues could simply be aggressive bumper styling. I can't see any other LFA cues being on the Camry.

 

i wouldnt trust too much any of those remarks... we will see with out own eyes.