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Toyota launches the Hybrid Camry

Valens Quinn- 11/02/2010 13:13:52

Tags: cars, Prius, Toyota, Valens Quinn

Toyota Australia has officially launched the Hybrid Camry to the Australian market.

While there is already a Hybrid Camry available in the US, the Australian version is manufactured exclusively in Toyota's Altona, Victoria plant. Australia is now one of four countries that manufacture Toyota hybrid vehicles.

At the launch, Toyota's Yukihiro Okane, Chief Engineer of Hybrid Camry, described the Hybrid Camry as "...the most technologically advanced car built in Australia."
Toyota also claims that the Hybrid Camry is the only mid-sized passenger car and the only Australian-built car awarded the maximum five stars by the Australian Green Vehicle Guide, as well as "...the most fuel-efficient car built in Australia, with the lowest emissions of any car built here."

The Hybrid Camry features a unique version of Toyota's Hybrid Synergy Drive system, which consists of a 4 cylinder, 2.4 litre petrol engine and a 105kW electric motor.The combined system produces a total power output of 140kW, which is up 20% compared to a petrol-only Camry. The dual system mixes and matches the power of the petrol engine and electric drive motor, according to driving conditions.

Like Toyota's popular Prius Hybrid vehicle, the Hybrid Camry includes regenerative braking, which uses the car's brakes to capture kinetic energy for topping up the battery.

A smart electronic continuously variable transmission, or 'e-CVT' is used to provide seamless gear changes, while helping to maximise engine efficiency.

With a 0-100km time of 8.9 seconds, the Hybrid Camry variant is faster than the petrol version, while consuming 32% less fuel at just 6 litres per 100 kilometres than the petrol automatic Camry (on the ADR 81/02 combined cycle).

Another benefit of the hybrid engine is very low CO2 emissions for a 'built-in-Australia vehicle' with a figure of 142 grams/km (on the ADR 81/02 combined cycle), and NOx emissions are 0.001g/km.

The Australian-built Hybrid Camry has been designed for Australian roads, and features unique steering and suspension calibrations.

There are two different Hybrid Camry model grades offered: standard and luxury.

Both models have the key mechanical features of a 140kW hybrid powerplant, Electric Power-assisted Steering (EPS), unique suspension calibration, 16-inch alloy wheels (including full-sized spare wheel) and Vehicle Dynamic Integrated Management (VDIM).

Compared to the petrol-only Camry, the Hybrid variants have unique front masks (headlamps, radiator grille, front bumper and fog lamps), rear combination lamps, noise-reduction windscreen, satin chrome rear garnish with camera, Optitron instruments, push-button heating and cooling, dual-zone automatic air-conditioning with LCD climate-control panel and ECO mode, and Hybrid front-door scuff plates.

The Hybrid Camry is priced from $36,990, excluding on-road charges, and there is a $3,000 option pack.

This grade is offered with an option pack, consisting of premium audio with eight speakers, satellite navigation and premium three-spoke steering wheel with Bluetooth™ controls. The option pack is priced at $3,000.

Hybrid Camry Luxury, the new Camry flagship model, has the additional features of leather-accented seat and door trim, four driver and front-passenger's seat power adjustments (slide, recline, vertical adjust and lumbar support), electro-chromatic interior rear-view mirror, rain-sensing wipers and rear lip spoiler.

Hybrid Camry Luxury is priced from $39,990, excluding on-road charges. It is also offered with an option pack consisting of: electric tilt-and-slide moonroof, premium audio with eight speakers, satellite navigation and premium three-spoke steering wheel with Bluetooth™ controls and rear personal lamps. The option pack is priced at $4,500. Standard safety equipment in both Hybrid Camry models include rear-view camera, rear sonar parking sensors and six SRS airbags.

Toyota plans to produce at least 10,000 Hybrid Camry sedans per year for the domestic market and 300 per year for export to New Zealand.

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