AL FRESCO FOR QUARTET
This article is from our archives and has not been updated and integrated with our "new" site yet... Even so, it's still awesome - so keep reading!
Published on Sun, Dec 12, 2004
By: The LACar Editorial Staff
© All photos by Harvey Schwartz
AL
FRESCO FOR QUARTET
Toyota chops the top off the hot selling new Solara coupe to add more fun and
enjoyment to the ride in the 2004/2005 Solara SLE convertible. The all-new,
more refined, second-generation Solara convertible was introduced in the spring,
just in time for summer's warm days and nights.
The Solara convertible comes standard with a 225 hp 3.3-liter V6, a power
retractable roof that lowers or raises in just ten seconds by pushing a
dash-mounted toggle button, and another dash-mounted toggle button that raises
and lowers all four windows.
Top up or down, the Solara convertible has a sleek and elegant exterior design,
and comes with a roomy and luxuriously designed interior with a high-level of
sporty performance and safety technology. The Solara convertible is
available in SE and SLE trim levels with the SLE having greater standard content
and a wood grained interior.
The Solara design emphasizes an arc-shaped theme with a continuous line from the
front bumper, over the roof to the rear bumper. Its proportions project a
substantial, road-hugging stance. The new grille treatment defines a
pronounced V-shaped character line that flows into convex and concave surfaces
that conveys motion. The large front cats-eye, projector ellipsoid
headlights, and rear taillights anchor and define the car's corners.
Big, round foglamps help illuminate the night during harsh weather conditions.
The rear combination lamp begins at the end of the character line, forming a
'teardrop' shape. The front and rear fascias have been tightly
integrated with minimal body gaps to enhance the high-quality appearance. Under
the rear bumper is a single, 2in. wide polished stainless steel exhaust tip, and
there is also a standard rear lip-spoiler to add a sporty flair and to keep the
rear firmly planted during high-speed driving.
Interior road noise in the convertible is held in check with a premium quality
headliner, plus vibration-damping and noise suppressant materials throughout the
cabin, as well as in the wheel housings, dash panel and trunk. Underneath
are braces and other reinforcements to keep the body and frame rigid and
torsional for added control and a smooth ride. Open the hood and you'll
notice a thick strut tower brace that further enhances handling and control.
When lowered the convertible's soft-top stows behind the rear seat and sits
low for a sleek overall appearance. A vinyl boot neatly fits over the
exposed top and gives a neat, finished look. It only takes a minute or two
to install the boot. There is plenty of legroom and headroom for two
adults in the rear seat, as well as generous front and rear shoulder room and
hip room.
Powering the new Solara convertible is an all-aluminum, 3.3-liter, DOHC, VVT-i
V6 engine that produces 225 hp at 5,600 rpm and 240lb.ft. of torque at 3,600
rpm.
The V6 engine is mated to a five-speed sequential automatic transmission that
uses electronic controls to ensure ultra-smooth shift quality. You control
the five-speed sequential automatic with a gated shifter that allows manual
shifting for a more exciting driving experience.
The independent front and rear suspension is mounted to anti-vibration
sub-frames, giving a smooth, quiet ride that favorably compares to luxury
vehicles. The suspension and power-assisted rack & pinion steering
systems have been specially tuned for precise handling response. The
independent front suspension consists of MacPherson struts with gas-filled
shocks, stabilizer bar and a suspension upper tower brace. The rear independent
suspension consists of dual-link struts, gas-filled shocks and a stabilizer bar.
An optional Stability Control System helps keep the Solara from losing traction
during severe maneuvers.
Quickly stopping the new Solara convertible are power-assisted steel disc
brakes, 11.65-inch vented discs up front, and 10.59-inch solid discs in the rear.
An advanced ABS system helps you maintain control during hard braking on wet or
slick surfaces.
The new Solara convertible rides on large, 215/55R17 all-season radial
performance tires that wrap around 17X7 five-spoke, aluminum alloy wheels.
Even though the Solara convertible's suspension is sport tuned, the shocks are
just soft enough to enjoy the ride and spirit in this 3,549 pound mid-size,
two-door car when traveling over poorly paved sections of the road.
Complementing the elegant and contemporary exterior, the Solara's interior
evokes a sporty and modern image. A sweeping T-shaped dashboard, a unique
instrument cluster, and deeply contoured front bucket/rear bench seats,
emphasize the intimate feel that only a two-door can make. The instrument
cluster uses three big gauges highlighted by 3-D black trim rings, with soft
lighting and fully illuminated needle pointers at night. All buttons,
dials and levers are within easy reach. A center mounted three-pod
multi-function display integrates a five-feature trip computer in the left pod,
with functions that include fuel consumption, average speed, miles-to-go, and
elapsed time. The middle pod houses a digital clock and the right pod
houses an outside temperature gauge plus passenger seatbelt and airbag indicator
lights.
The beefy, tilting/telescoping steering wheel felt great in my
hands, and the wheel also has buttons to control the audio system.
Standard features in the Solara convertible include the tilt/telescoping
steering wheel, cruise control, power windows/door locks with driver's-side
express down, remote keyless entry, engine immobilizer, an AM-FM/CD stereo radio
and dual 12-volt power outlets. My SLE model came with these standard
items-leather trimmed interior/steering wheel, heated front seats, automatic
climate control, a power adjustable driver's seat with power lumbar, heated
and power assisted side mirrors, auto-dimming inside and driver's-side
mirrors, a JBL premium 3-in-1 audio system with 6-disc in-dash CD changer/eight
speakers in six locations, and a HomeLink transceiver/garage door opener.
Options include XM Satellite radio capability and the latest generation in
Toyota's DVD-based navigation system. My SLE model came with all the
goodies that help make driving the new Solara such a fun and exiting driving
experience.
You and your passengers are kept safe in the event of a collision with front and
rear crush zones, side-impact protection with steel beams in each door,
front/side airbags, three-point safety belts with the front belts standard with
pretensioners and load-limiters.
The all-new 2004/2005 Toyota Solara convertible is at the head of it's class with
unique contemporary styling, a powerful V6 engine, a sporty independent
suspension, a roomy, comfortable interior for four adults with the latest in
creature comforts and safety systems to help insure an enjoyable, safe and
secure ride.
© All text and photos by Harvey Schwartz
For more information on Toyota products, go to www.toyota.com. More photos from Harvey Schwartz can be found at www.autofotos.com
SPECIFICATIONS
Name of vehicle:
Toyota Solara SLE convertible
Price of vehicle:
$29,650.00/$32,349.00 as tested with navigation and vehicle stability control
Engine type:
3.3-liter, all-aluminum, DOHC, VVT-i, V6
Horsepower:
225 at 5,600 rpm
Torque:
240 lb.ft. of torque at 3,600 rpm
Drive configuration:
Front engine/front-wheel-drive
Transmission type:
five-speed sequential automatic shifting with gated shifter
Front suspension:
Independent MacPherson struts, gas-filled shocks, stabilizer bar
Rear suspension:
Independent dual-link struts, gas-filled shocks, stabilizer bar
Wheels/tires:
17X7 aluminum alloy 5-spoke wheels/P215/55R17 all-season radial
performance tires
Brakes:
Front-11.65-in. power-assisted vented discs
Rear-10.59-in. power-assisted solid discs
ABS at all four wheels
Overall length:
192.5-in.
Overall width:
71.5-in.
Overall height:
56.5-in.
Curb weight:
3,549 lbs.
EPA mileage:
20 mpg/city, 29 mpg/highway
0-60 mph:
7.1 sec.