Camry closes in on five

Toyota could achieve a sub-6.0L/100km fuel combined consumption statistic with its Aussie-assembled Camry Hybrid. The vehicle, which goes on sale in February next year and commences production next month is expected to be a full 30 per cent more economical than its conventionally-engined counterpart.

Thirty per cent is the margin Camry global chief engineer Yukihiro Okane says the hybrid model will achieve over the standard car. With the latest facelifted Camry rated at 8.0L/100km, Okane's fuel saving figure places the petrol-electric car at 6.2L/100km.

Okane says the car will be more economical in city cycle than on the highway. This could potentially see the Camry sneak below 6.0L/100km in local testing. By way of comparison, the new third generation Prius achieves 3.9L/100km combined.

Okane says aerodynamic, rolling resistance improvements and changes such as the adoption of electric power steering all contribute to the petrol-electric Camry's better economy.

Toyota Australia Product Planning chief, Peter Evans, says the company does not need to achieve a sub-6.0L/100km final number. He says the Australian-assembled car is still to be tested under the local ADR 81 fuel economy testing regime. That will happen next month.

"It'd be nice [to get under 6.0L/100km] but it's not essential," Evans told the Carsales Network.

"Based on Okane-san's advice of 30 per cent, that would still give us a class-leading [fuel consumption figure]."

When pushed on the marketing coup a sub-6.0 stat would constitute, Evans commented: "You'd have to ask the marketing guys... I'm quite happy with the number I've seen."

Though Camry is a medium car under VFACTS categorisation, it competes with both locally-built large cars for key government and business fleet purchases. At 6.0L/100km, it would be approaching 35 per cent more frugal than the best of the large cars, Holden's new 3.0 SIDI Commodore.

The new Camry Hybrid has been tweaked to provide a sportier drive and will be better equipped in an effort to attract more private buyers.

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