2000 Toyota Camry Solara Convertible

2000 Toyota Camry Solara convertible
CHICAGO - Toyota announced in Chicago that another concept would come to life in the form of the 2000 Camry Solara convertible. The Solara production model was first hinted when Toyota revealed the Solara Speedster convertible at the Windy City show two years ago. The Camry Solara coupe went on sale last fall. When the droptop version goes on sale in the spring of 2000, the wheel will have turned full circle.

Leaving open-air performance duties to the MR-Spyder, the Solara convertible is intended to be a top-down cruiser. Emphasis is placed more on room and comfort than on sportiness. While the rear seat looks to rival that of Chrysler's Sebring convertible for spaciousness, a full evaluation must wait: Toyota would not allow the assembled media to sit in the car due to its prototype status.

Toyota will turn to long-time partner ASC to produce this version of the Solara. ASC is opening a plant near the facility in Cambridge, Ontario, Canada, where the Solara coupe is built. Once it's up and running, the ASC operation will receive Solara coupe body shells from the Toyota factory, remove the top and insert the necessary structural reinforcement. The body then will return to the Toyota plant for paint, running gear and interior fittment. Once this is complete, the car will return to ASC for quarter windows, final interior trim and installation of the power top.

Beginning in 1983, ASC has provided Toyota with a series of Celica convertibles as well as being involved in the production of the Paseo convertible.

The Solara convertible will be available with either a 2.2-liter 133 horsepower four (standard) or a 3.0-liter 200 horsepower V6 (optional). A four-speed automatic will be the only transmission available. Both SE and SLE trim levels will be offered.

When the production is in full swing, Toyota will be capable of selling 6,000 Solara convertibles a year. Some onlookers whispered that the Solara ragtop looks a lot like the Sebring at first glance. But considering how well Chrysler's convertible sells, that's not necessarily a bad thing.