RK Collection Toyota Camry Coupe V8 NASCAR Edition is a Little Less Beige

The standard Camry isn't exactly what you'd call an exciting car - well, unless the gas pedal and floor mats decide to do their thing and kick in, that is... But as you might imagine, this here SEMA-bound example is a totally different beast from your everyday Camry. First of all, it's only got two doors. And then there's that massive V8 engine lurking under the hood.

The special two-door Toyota Camry NASCAR Edition was developed by RK Collection (RKC) in cooperation with the Japanese firm's in-house Toyota Racing Development (TRD) division. The goal was to create a high-performance but completely street legal Camry with a NASCAR engine to demonstrate the connection between Toyota's production vehicles and its NASCAR program.

We are told that the tuned car gets a specially made exterior shell with a custom body kit and 20-inch tires fitted with 245/35/20 Michelin Pilot tires in the front and 285/20/30 in the rear.

Inside, the car features custom leather-covered panels, power leather seats, SPEK gauges by Proparts and a powerful audio system. A four-point roll cage was also installed.

At the heart of the Camry concept is a TRD NASCAR V8 engine that measures 358 cubic inches and delivers 680 horsepower at 8500 RPM. The V8 is hooked up to a Tremic T-56 Magnum six-speed manual transmission with a Ram dual-disc street clutch.

In the handling division, the street-legal racer makes use of Camry modified Macpherson struts in the front and a Venza modified multi-link independent suspension in the rear.

Toyota said that after its debut at the 2010 SEMA Show, the RK Collection Camry NASCAR Edition can be seen during the NASCAR race weekend beginning November 12 at the Phoenix International Raceway.

RK Collection Toyota Camry NASCAR Edition Features

Exterior
• RKC Custom made two-door 2010 Camry Body Sheet Metal
• RKC Custom Body Kit, Nose/Tail, Flare/Side Skirt/Spoiler
• RKC Custom Toyota Grill's
• RKC Custom Carbon Fiber Brake Ducts with Fog Lights
• RKC Custom TRD emblems

Tires/Wheels
• TSW Jarama 20X8.5 Front - 20X10 Rear
• Michelin Pilot 245/35/20 Front – 285/20/30 Rear

Interior
• Custom Leather Covered Panels
• Custom Suede Headliner with Integrated Rear Tweeters
• Custom four-Point Roll Cage
• Custom Leather Covered Power Seats with Custom TRD Billet Logos
• Custom Billet Shifter
• Custom Dash with SPEK gauges by Proparts
• Air conditioning by Vintage Air

Audio

• Pioneer AVIC-2110BT DVD/NAV receiver

• Boston Acoustics

o Gt-275 75w x 2 Amps.

o Gt-475 75w x 4 Amp.

o Two- pair SR-60 two-way 6.5 Component Speakers

o 1 G212-44 12' Subwoofer

Engine/Transmission
• TRD NASCAR Engine-V8 Configuration
- Displacement- 358 cubic inches
- Power- 680 HP @ 8500 RPM
- Bore/Stroke - 4.185 inch/3.25 inch
- Oil System- five-stage dry sump
• Custom Wilson Throttle Body Injection
• Motec Engine Management
• Custom Fluidyne radiator
• RKC Custom Header
• RKC Custom Air Intake with K&N Filters
• RKC Custom A/C Mounts
• Quicktime Bell Housing
• Custom Ram Dual Disc Street Clutch
• Tremic T-56 Magnum 6-Speed

Suspension

Front
• RKC Modified Camry Sub frame
• D2 Coil Over Struts
• Custom Lower Control Arms
• Speedway Engineering 1 ¼ Splined Sway Bar
• Woodward Power Rack
• Wilwood 14.25 Rotors
• Brembo six-piston GT Calipers/ radial Mounted

Rear
• Modified 2010 Vensa Sub frame with Lexus SC-430 Differential
• SC-430 Differential with TRD Locker
• Custom Adjustable Control Arms
• Custom Driveshaft and Axles from The Driveshaft Shop
• D2 Coil over
• Wilwood 14' Rotors
• Brembo 4-Piston GT Calipers radial Mounted

Exhaust
• Custom three-inch Exhaust with X-Pipe
• Thrush Mufflers
• Quicktime Performance Cut Out
• Custom Side Exhaust Tips
• High Temp Turbo Black Coating by H.M. Elliott INC.

Participating Suppliers
• Brembo
• Fluidyne high Performance
• Michael Waltrip Racing
• Michelin Tires
• PPG
• Speedway Engineering
• Specialty Automotive Materials
• Toyota Racing Development
• Tremec Transmissions
• Vintage Air
• Wilwood Engineering
• Brown & Miller Racing Solutions
• ProParts
• Hushmat

_______________________________GALLERY_______________________________

Speed Ticket Survey: Mercedes-Benz SL and Toyota Solara Drivers Top the List

We recently told you about how the angriest drivers in Britain tend to be behind the wheel of a BMW. Now we have some speeding/insurance info from the States, and it's a bit surprising.

According to Quality Planning, a division of Verisk Analytics Inc., American Mercedes SL drivers are at least four times more likely to get ticketed than a run-of-the-mill motorist who presumably drives a Camry Solara or...no, wait, the Camry Solara/Coupe and Scion tC come in at second and third.

Oddly, the Pontiac Grand Prix is still on the list and making waves (scroll down for the full list with stats).

Of the top ten most ticketed cars, Mercedes and Toyota can each lay claim to three: the SL, the CLS63, and the CLK63, and the Camry Solara/Coupe, Scion tC, and xB. In defense of its speedy vehicles, Mercedes' spokesman Robert Moran says, "These are fun-to-drive cars, and sometimes people have a little too much fun enjoying them."

On the other side of the spectrum, people-hauling SUVs were among the least ticketed as long as we exclude the Hummer H2/H3; the lowest was actually the Buick Rainier.

The lesson here, kids, is skip the sex-on-wheels Benzos and just go for an old Buick SUV is you want to avoid tickets. Or, you could just restrain yourself...but where's the fun in that?

By Phil Alex

Source: Verisk Analytics , Via: BusinessWeek

___________________________________________________________________

_______________________________GALLERY_______________________________

10 Most Stolen Cars in the USA: Honda Accord and Civic Top the 2009 List, No Love for the Koreans or Germans

Do you own a car that's likely to be stolen? Maybe, maybe not. Here is the list that the NICB (National Insurance Crime Bureau) has compiled concerning the most stolen vehicles in America. Honda's 1994 Accord and 1995 Civic along with Toyota's 1991 Camry occupy the first three places ahead of Ford's 1997 F-150 pickup truck and Dodge's 2004 Ram pickup.

If your car is on the list (scroll down), you should make sure to keep that chunk of metal locked down. As in, put a ring on it and don't let anyone near it.

Most Stolen Vehicles in the US in 2009:

1. 1994 Honda Accord
2. 1995 Honda Civic
3. 1991 Toyota Camry
4. 1997 Ford F-150 Pickup
5. 2004 Dodge Ram Pickup
6. 2000 Dodge Caravan
7. 1994 Chevrolet Pickup (Full Size)
8. 1994 Acura Integra
9. 2002 Ford Explorer
10. 2009 Toyota Corolla

The FBI says car thefts were down 17% in 2009 compared to 2008 (794,616 versus 956,846), which is officially the "largest drop in a six-year decline" and the lowest reported in 21 years. Good news for car owners, and clearly indicative of the fact that car thieves are falling by the wayside (or just not up to snuff on their tech).

Most of the cars listed end to end up in chop shops where the sum of their parts is more valuable than the actual car. More serious thieves (those in syndicates with ties to shipping and international trade) still feel fine stealing newer cars that can be re-VIN'd and distributed overseas, so your Escalade and XJR aren't necessarily safe just yet.

You'll notice the majority of the cars on the list are from the 1990's. It turns out these older cars have become more popular, but many people have yet to figure out why. I'd say it probably comes down to the simple fact that they're easier to steal. Many modern cars have keys that only work with one specific car, while other cars simply can't be started without a chip (found in the key fob) nearby.

Joe Wehrle, NICB president and CEO, says, "Through the end of August this year there were 97,655 vehicles that were listed as stolen and not yet recovered. Of that number, only 38 percent had some kind of insurance coverage. So there are a lot of vehicles out there that are being stolen and the owner is left holding the bag with no car and no money to buy another one." Lesson? If you own a vehicle that's likely to get stolen, insure it accordingly and be safe about it.

Here are some of the NICB's tips on how to make sure your car doesn't get got by some shady individuals:

"Common Sense: Lock your car and take your keys. It's simple enough but many thefts occur because owners make it easy for thieves to steal their cars.

Warning Device: Having and using a visible or audible warning device is another item that can ensure that your car remains where you left it.

Immobilizing Device: Generally speaking, if your vehicle can't be started, it can't be stolen. "Kill" switches, fuel cut-offs and smart keys are among the devices which are extremely effective.

Tracking Device: A tracking device emits a signal to the police or to a monitoring station when the vehicle is stolen. Tracking devices are very effective in helping authorities recover stolen vehicles. Some systems employ "telematics" which combine GPS and wireless technologies to allow remote monitoring of a vehicle. If the vehicle is moved the system will alert the owner and the vehicle can be tracked via computer."

By Phil Alex

Source: NICB

TOYOTA CAMRY HYBRID 2010

The 2010 Toyota Camry Hybrid sedan offers high quality and reliability of the petrol powered Camry together with increased fuel efficiency. The Toyota Camry Hybrid can operate on any combination of the two power sources. Its power is transferred to the front wheels through a continuously variable transmission (CVT). The CVT was chosen for its ability to keep the gas engine in its most efficient power band.

The Toyotoa Camry Hybrid is a front-wheel drive four-door sedan that comfortably seats five passengers. This model is made available in one well appointed trim it comes standard with Hybrid Synergy Drive, a combination of electric motor/gasoline engine fitted with an efficient, continuously variable transmission (CVT). The standard warranty for hybrid-related components is a very long 8 years/100,000 miles. A moonroof, navigation system, leather seats and heated front seats are all optional, please see the lists below. Standard safety features include stability and traction control, six-airbags, and a tire pressure monitor.

More than just a few people are calling this car “the best hybrid on the market today”.

MSRP – $26,150

Fuel Economy Estimates

EPA Fuel Economy Est – Hwy (MPG) 34
EPA Fuel Economy Est – City (MPG) 33
Fuel Economy Est-Combined (MPG) 34

0-60mph – 8.3 seconds




TOYOTA CAMRY HYBRID 2010

Specification

Hybrid System Net Power: 187 hp (140 kW) standard
Engine
2.5-liter DOHC 16-valve dual VVT-i four-cylinder, 169 hp [1] @ 6000 lb.-ft. rpm/167 @ 4100 rpm
2.5-liter DOHC 16-valve dual VVT-i four-cylinder, 179 hp @ 6000 lb.-ft. rpm/171 @ 4100 rpm
3.5-liter DOHC 24-valve dual VVT-i V6, 268 hp @ 6200 lb.-ft. rpm/248 @ 4700 rpm
Hybrid Engine: 2.4-liter DOHC 16-valve VVT-i four-cylinder Hybrid: 147 hp @ 6000 rpm, 138 lb.-ft. @ 4400 rpm standard
Rating emissions
Ultra Low Emission Vehicle (ULEV-II) is not available
Advanced Technology Partial Zero Emission Vehicle (AT-PZEV) standards
Ignition
Electronic, with Toyota Direct Ignition (TDI) standard
Electric Motor Power Output: £ 199-ft@0-1.500 rpm (105 kW @ 4500 rpm) standard
Type of motor: Permanent magnet AC synchronous motor standard
Voltage: 650V maximum standard
Traction Batteries Power Output: 40 hp (30 kW) standard
Battery Type: Sealed Nickel-Metal Hydride (Ni-MH) standard
Voltage: 244.8V standards
6-speed manual overdrive is not available
6-speed electronically controlled automatic overdrive with intelligence (ECT-i) and sequential shift is not available
Kept electronically controlled variable transmission (ECVT) standard
Drivetrain: Front engine, front-wheel drive is standard
Construction Agency
Unitized body with front and rear reduce vibration sub-frames-standard
Hybrid Suspension: MacPherson strut front suspension with gas filled shock absorbers and stabilizer bar, dual-link independent rear suspension MacPherson struts with gas-filled shock absorbers and standard stabilizer bars
Suspension
MacPherson strut front suspension with gas filled shock absorbers and stabilizer bar, dual-link independent rear suspension MacPherson struts with gas filled shock absorbers and stabilizer bar (SE adds sport-tuned shock absorbers and springs, strut tower and trunk-mounted braces)
Steerage
Variable-assist power rack-and-pinion (Hybrid adds standard power-assist)
Turning circle diameter, curb to curb (ft.) 36.1
Brake
Power-assisted ventilated front / solid rear discs with four-channel 3-sensor Anti-lock Brake System (ABS), Electronic brake-force Distribution (EBD) and Brake Assist
Hybrid Brakes: Power-assisted ventilated front / solid rear disc with Anti-lock Brake System (ABS) and integrated regenerative braking standards
Vehicle Stability Control (VSC) [4] with Traction Control (TRAC)

Features

Aerodynamic multi-reflector-beam projector lights with auto on / off feature standard
Aerodynamic multi-reflector lamps projector-beam with blackout sport trim and auto on / off feature is not available
Blue-colored headlamp bezels standards
Integrated front fog lights optional
LED (light-emitting diode) for tail, stop signs and lights, standard side
16-in. steel wheels with P215/60R16 tires and full wheel covers standard
16-in. 7-spoke alloy wheels with P215/60R16 tires are not available
17-in. 5-spoke alloy wheel machine with P215/55R17 tires
not available
16-in. 10-spoke alloy wheels with P215/60R16 tires are not available
16-in. 10-spoke aluminum alloy wheels with P215/60R16 tires are available only as part of option package

Include dual-color outside mirrors power standard
Heated outside mirrors optional / available only as part of option package

Acoustic noise-reducing windshield standards
High Solar Energy-absorbing (HSEA) standard glass
Washer-linked variable intermittent windshield wipers with mist cycle standard
Power tilt / slide moonroof with sliding sunshade is only available as part of option package

Blackout sport grille is not available
Heavy-duty electric rear window defogger with timer standard
Dual exhaust not available
Chrome-tipped exhaust standards
Color-spirited front and rear underbody spoilers and side rocker panel molding is not available
Color-spirited rear spoiler lip

Choice

Integrated front fog lights optional
Auto-dimming rearview mirror with compass mirror is available only as part of option package
16-in. 7-spoke alloy wheels with P215/60R16 tires are not available
AM / FM CD player with integrated satellite radio, MP3/WMA playback capability, auxiliary audio jack, USB port with iPod ® connectivity, hands-free phone capabilities and music streaming via Bluetooth ® [3] wireless technology, Vacuum fluorescent displays, six speakers and in-glass antenna
JBL ® AM / FM 6-disc in-dash CD changer with integrated satellite radio [audio jack 1], MP3/WMA playback capability, auxiliary, USB port with iPod ® connectivity, hands-free phone and music streaming capabilities via Bluetooth ® wireless technology, eight speakers in six locations, Vacuum Fluorescent Display and FM diversity reception
Color-spirited rear spoiler lip not available
Voice-activated DVD navigation system [4] with integrated backup camera, JBL ® AM / FM four-disc in-dash CD changer with integrated satellite radio, MP3/WMA playback capability, auxiliary audio jack, USB port with iPod ® connectivity, hands free -the ability of phone and music streaming via Bluetooth ® wireless technology, eight speakers in six locations and FM diversity reception
Heated outside mirrors optional / available only as part of option package
Leather-trimmed sport seats are not available
Leather-trimmed seats and door trim with integrated armrests and dual front and rear map pockets
Heated front seats is available only as part of option package
Multi-adjustable power passenger seat is not available
Smart Key System with Push Button Start and remote illuminated entry standards
Power tilt / slide moonroof with sliding sunshade