Not a sleeper king for catching your ZZzzz’s, but one for catching other drivers napping!
This is so cool. Great job Toyota.
In the driver’s seat of this amazing Camry Dragster, the new Toyota tagline might need to be…
‘Let’s Show O-faces!’
2015 Toyota Camry Dragster
Toyota Surprises SEMA with 850-Horsepower Camry Dragster
Sleeper Camry Set to Shock Racing Fans Nationwide
November 04, 2014
TORRANCE, Calif. Nov. 4, 2014 — In drag racing terms, a “sleeper” is a car that looks as innocuous as possible, but has the means to blow the doors off the competition. The attendees at this year’s Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) Show were shocked when emcee Rutledge Wood lifted the Sleeper Camry’s body to reveal a purpose-built dragster putting out over 850 horsepower. The excitement was palpable as crowds of onlookers rushed into the Toyota booth to get a glimpse at the source of the ear-splitting growl that shook Central Hall to its foundation. Toyota’s Sleeper Camry had just revealed its true intentions.
“This is the most extreme build we’ve ever unveiled at SEMA,” said Toyota Engagement Marketing and Motorsports National Manager Steve Appelbaum. “The transformation from seemingly stock Camry to full-blown racecar just shocks the senses. Chuck Wade and the team at Motorsports Technical Center did a truly spectacular job executing the vision of this project.”
The build team extracted the outer shell of the all-new 2015 Camry and mated it to a full tube-frame chassis. Underneath the stylish Camry skin, it’s all about brute force, rugged durability and raw speed. A Tundra was tapped for its 5.7-liter 3UR-FE V8 engine, transmission, rear axle and electronics. The engine is blown with a TRD supercharger and also features a wet nitrous system. Directing the power to the asphalt are beefy DOT 335/30/18 drag racing tires which are expected to help propel the Sleeper Camry to a blistering 9.80-second* quarter-mile time. It’s hard to believe that the build was completed in just 11 weeks. The attention to detail and craftsmanship is evident throughout the dragster — from the fully functional stock doors to the custom-fabricated interior.
“This Camry is the ultimate sleeper — it definitely has the element of surprise on its side and more than enough muscle to drop the hammer on any unsuspecting car that pulls up,” said Wade, Motorsports Technical Center Director.
The Sleeper Camry can be seen November 4-7 in the Toyota display booth (#24700) located in the Central Hall at the 2014 SEMA Show. After the SEMA Show it will tour the country at select NHRA races.
* Estimated quarter-mile time
Sleeper Camry
2015 Toyota Camry XSE
- Magnuson Products
- IPT Performance Transmissions
- Plumbing: Goodridge Fluid Transfer Systems
- TRD
- Magnaflow
- Autometer Digital Dash
- Impact Racing safety harness
- Battery: Optima Yellow Top
- Goodyear tires
- Nitrous Supply
- Seat: Fast Ed’s Interiors
- The Polishing Shop
- Forged pistons and connecting rods
- Suspension: Strut front and 4-link live rear axle
Tom Burkart is the founder and managing editor of Car-Revs-Daily.com, an innovative and rapidly-expanding automotive news magazine.
He holds a Journalism JBA degree from the University of Wisconsin – Madison. Tom currently resides in Charleston, South Carolina with his two amazing dogs, Drake and Tank.
Mr. Burkart is available for all questions and concerns by email Tom(at)car-revs-daily.com.