Top Camry Hybrid $40K

Toyota's upcoming Hybrid Camry Hybrid will sit comfortably above standard models such as the Altise and Ateva, but pricing is not likely to stretch past the Grande version that is the entrée to Camry/Aurion family's 'premium' lineup.

Leaked details of the forthcoming Hybrid Camry confirm that the locally built petrol-electric Toyota will come in two variants, and will sit at Camry Grande pricing level in top-spec Luxury form. The entry-level hybrid four-door will be positioned slightly above the mid-range ATX model with a spec to match.

Information obtained by the Carsales Network indicates the upper-level hybrid will be priced the same as the Grande, currently tagged at $39,990, while the lower-level car will be around $37,000-38,000. The leaked document suggests that the cars will be badged Hybrid Camry and Hybrid Camry Luxury.

The pricing indications confirm that, while the Hybrid will undercut a great slab of competing cars with its expected average fuel consumption of around 6.0L/100km, buyers will be required to stump up extra cash over regular Camrys to fund the complex drivetrain underpinning the car. Nonetheless, the car will sit at, or below, recommended retail prices for the smaller purpose-built, fully-imported Prius range.

The Camry Hybrid Luxury will sit at roughly the same price level as the larger XT Falcon and Commodore Omega (and entry-level Toyota Prius).

Fuel consumption and emissions levels for the Hybrid Camry are claimed to be somewhere between the Prius and the conventionally-engineered Yaris light car. Road performance is claimed to be close to that of the previous V6-engined version of the Camry.

Toyota quotes a combined petrol/electric power output for the car of 140kW. The preview drive of the car back in September 2009 confirmed its improved performance over the conventional four-cylinder model.

With annual local sales targets of around 10,000 vehicles (around 25 per cent of local Camry sales), the Hybrid Camry will aim at capturing the interest of business and private purchasers.

This will be done by promoting the Hybrid's extra standard features, better "whole of life" value for money, low running and repair costs, mechanical refinement, brand credibility and, naturally, its supposed 'green' credentials. Better fuel economy usually means lower CO2 emissions -- and there is the fact that hybrids are zero-emission vehicles when at a standstill in traffic.

Toyota will also be pushing the "first Australian-built hybrid" line.

The company is at pains to point out that the standard Hybrid camry is not specced as an entry-level car. Across the board standard features will include keyless entry and start, Bluetooth connectivity, cruise control, dual-zone climate-control, reversing camera (with rear sensors as well), 16-inch alloys and upmarket six-speaker audio with six-disc CD stacker.

External styling differentiations already detailed by the Carsales Network include unique grille and front bumper, blue-tinted headlights, model specific LED taillights, and various titillations including chrome exhaust pipe and door handles, and special scuff plates.

Driving home the green message inside are an 'eco' meter advising the driver if the car is operating in its optimum economy/emissions zone, and an instant fuel consumption readout.

Safety equipment includes stability and traction control, anti-lock brakes, Toyota's Steering Assist system (the Hybrid uses electric power steering), six airbags and anti-whiplash front seat headrests.

The standard Hybrid model's refinement will be accentuated by noise-reduction technology including an acoustic glass windscreen, extra insulation and, interestingly, a special "quiet" fuel tank.

To all of this, the Hybrid Camry Luxury grade will add leather interior trim, electrochromatic rearview mirror, rain-sensing wipers, power front seats and a boot spoiler. It also gets Lexus-style electronic instruments and a full 'Prius-style' hybrid power flow schematic and enhanced information display.

Both models will offer optional GPS navigation, with a sunroof also available in the Luxury version.

The Hybrid Toyota Camry is due to make its public debut next month. Toyota is expected to make details public on February 8 with sales officially commencing a week later.

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