Toyota has just unveiled the new Camry and Camry Hybrid after a long wait. We’ve done an initial test drive impression of the car here.
On the outside, the new Toyota Camry shares the same looks with the newly-released Camry Extremo from Thailand, with the same redesigned front end, with a slimmer front grille surrounded by headlights with integrated LED daytime running lights. Both the 2.0 variants of the new Camry has HID projector headlights, while the 2.5 Hybrid model gets LED headlights with auto levelling and auto on and off.
Unlike the predecessor’s narrower lower grille, the new Camry now sports a more Toyota Vios-ish trapezoid shape grille. The rear end also gets redesigned, but unlike the front, the rear end’s treatment is not as drastic. The new Camry carries over the same shape of the tail lights, but with better lighting than its predecessor. Apart from that, the rear bumper also gets slightly revised.
Optional is the aerokit that is fitted to both 2.0 models. The aerokit comprises the front skirt, rear skirt and side skirt. The rear spoiler is also part of the standard aerokit fitted by Toyota. The petrol-powered Camry variants have 16-inch wheels, while the range-topping 2.5 Hybrid model gets 17-inch wheels as standard.
Moving inside, the new Camry carries over much from the predecessor, but with improvements along the way. The interior wood trim, for example, has been revised, and now gives a more upmarket feel. Apart from that, the digital aircon controls also gets improved, losing the knobs that the predecessor had. The dual-zone air conditioning is maintained, fret not.
The new Toyota Camry also benefits from a new set of meter cluster, which the new Camry loses that big speedometer in the centre, now replaced with a more conventional dual cluster set up. On the Camry Hybrid, it loses the tachometer, now replaced with a battery charge indicator. The more upmarket Camry 2.5 Hybrid gets a grand total of 10 speakers, while the 2.0 models (E & G) will have just 6 speakers.
Under the hood lies Toyota’s biggest improvement to the Camry, as they have finally ditched the archaic 4 speed automatic transmission with a new 6-speed automatic. Also new is the 6AR-FSE 2.0-litre VVT-iW engine. The new engine fitted to the Camry sports 165 bhp at 6,500 rpm and 199 Nm of twist at 4,600 rpm. What’s unique of this new engine is that it sports Toyota’s new VVT-iW intake system. The “w” moniker is added as the engine has a new WIDE intake camshaft timing, and the new engine is capable of running on both Otto and Atkinson cycle. The new VVT-iW system is said to improve fuel economy by 12%, in which the new Camry now sips 7.3 litres of petrol per 100 km (ECE urban cycle).
The new CKD Toyota Camry Hybrid, on the other hand, is powered by a 2.5-litre engine mated to an electronically-controlled CVT. The Camry Hybrid features a 105 kW electric motor with 270 Nm of torque. Unlike the new Camry’s 2.0-litre engine, the one on the hybrid model does not have the VVT-iW mechanism, just the regular VVT-i and ACIS.
Safety wise, all variants of the Camry will be equipped with anti-lock braking system, Brake Assist and Electronic Brake-force Distribution as standard fitment. Vehicle Stability Control (VSC) and Traction Control (TRC) is only reserved for the 2.0G and 2.5 Hybrid models, unfortunately. The 2.0E model will also make do without Hill Start Assist and Emergency Stop Signal, which the other two models get. In terms of airbag count, both 2.0 models get only dual front SRS airbags, while the Hybrid 2.5 model gets a grand total of 7 airbags (dual front, side, curtain and knee). The Camry Hybrid also gets extra safety kit like the Blind Spot Monitor (BSM) and Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA).
UMW Toyota has priced the new Camry 2.0E at RM 149,900 (OTR with GST and insurance), while the Camry 2.0G will cost RM 159,900 (OTR with GST and insurance). The range-topping Camry 2.5 Hybrid will cost RM 174,900 (OTR with GST and insurance). All prices quoted are valid for private regustration in Peninsular Malaysia. Buyers of the new Camry variants will backed by UMW Toyota Motor’s 3-year/100,000 km warranty for that addded peace of mind. As for the hybrid model, the battery has a 8-year assurance program.
Toyota Camry photo gallery
Toyota Camry Hybrid photo gallery
