2018 Toyota Camry teased ahead of Detroit Motor Show

Toyota is giving the perpetually plain Toyota Camry a sexy makeover and is so excited it’s dropped a teaser pic ahead of a Detroit Motor Show reveal next month.

The image shows the rear quarter of a the new Camry in sporty XSE guise, featuring uncharacteristically aggressive coupe-like styling, including two distinct shoulder lines, a rear air vent, rear spoiler and narrow LED taillight.

The shapely lines were noticed under heavy cloaking in spy shots of the 2018 Toyota Camry taken in September which also showed its larger proportions, wider stance and sleeker shape.

The Mk8 Camry will share the same TNGA platform as the 2016 Prius which is lighter, stronger and should provide a more refined ride than the existing model launched late in 2011

Toyota execs have been generally been tight lipped about the new car, though one is quoted as saying that it “sent chills up my back” when he first set eyes on it. Hopefully he means in a good way.

Toyota has high hopes for new-generation Camry. It is one of the world’s most popular cars and a the top-seller in the US but its dominance is under threat by the ever-growing popularity of SUVs, not least its Toyota RAV4 stablemate, which is expected to steal its US sales crown next year.

It’s also a very important model for Toyota Australia, which will be importing its popular sedan for the first time since 1997 and for the first time will be a direct competitor of the Holden Commodore.

It’s expected to arrive in Australia at the end of 2017 and its launch means we’ll be closer to knowing the exact date of when local Toyota production ends.