9 February 2011
New car report; The green alternative.
This year hasn't exactly kicked off on a positive note for Toyota, with various global recalls, plant closure in the US and apologies from Toyota President, Akio Toyoda for letting growth getting in the way of quality and safety, followed by criticism that the apology was too little and too late.
So just when it was looking like the wheels were falling off of the world's biggest car maker, along came one of the most significant new models to have hit the streets for a considerable time.
Not that the Camry Hybrid is over-endowed with head-turning wow factor. To the untrained eye, it's just another conservative Toyota, which is why this frugal fuel miser is so significant. It doesn't stand out in a crowd, screaming "look at me, I'm a do-gooder, saving the planet" but rather, it's the anonymous benefactor getting on with the job without any self-promoting fuss.
There are numerous small and efficient cars on the market, but many buyers still have a need for something a bit bigger; with room for 5 adults to travel in comfort and with adequate space for their luggage.
Skimping on fuel doesn't have to mean skimping on space.
In a world full of change and uncertainty, one thing that is beyond doubt is that both private and fleet buyers have a desire to control operating costs and are looking for more efficient, environmentally sound cars.
Neeraj Lala, Toyota New Zealand's new General Manager of Marketing and Product says "The timing of our introduction is perfect with most businesses working through the challenges of down-sizing their fleets to more efficient vehicles, and the Hybrid Camry offers these companies the comfort of a full size sedan but with Yaris levels of fuel economy."
This is a model that taxi operators have been awaiting for some time. The traditional big 6 cylinder cars that taxi companies have used in New Zealand are now out of step with environmental and economical thinking.
Toyota's Prius has been adopted by many taxi operators in recent times but many taxi drivers feel that the Prius is a little cramped for their purpose. The Hybrid Camry fills the gap perfectly. However, the appeal will be much wider than merely for taxi use.
In addition to the attraction to taxi operators, Mr Lala says "Hybrid Camry has a wider appeal to businesses serious about improving the ROI of their fleet. This car will undoubtedly save them money and ensure their staff are happy with maintaining a bigger car. The same could be said for private customers who don't want the profile of a Prius and yet want to experience the benefits of hybrids."
Built in Australia, two models are offered; the Camry Hybrid and the Camry Hybrid i-Tech.
As with the Prius, two electric motors work in conjunction with the petrol engine. The first electric motor (MG1) acts primarily as a generator converting surplus power from the petrol engine into electricity, also acting as a starter motor for the petrol engine. The second electric motor (MG2) is a drive motor which also acts as a generator during regenerative braking.
In this case, the petrol engine is a 2.4 Litre, 4 cylinder, Atkinson cycle petrol engine producing 110kW of power and 187Nm of torque. Combined with electric power, total system output is 135kW, with an Electronic Continuously Variable Transmission (E-CVT) automatic transmission driving the front wheels.
Fuel consumption is quoted at 6L/100km with an emission level of just 150g/km.
Steering and suspension have been specifically tuned for Australasian conditions and driver preferences, offering a stiffer ride set-up and sharper handling.
Other than the body coloured rear spoiler, glass sunroof and iTech badging, there's very little to distinguish the two models from the outside.
Both have a front bumper that is unique to the Hybrid model, blue tinted headlamps, satin chrome front grille, clear LED tail lamps, 16 inch alloys and front fog lights.
Driver and passenger creature comforts include dual zone climate control air conditioning with ECO mode, AM/FM radio with 6 disc MP3/WMA CD, Bluetooth, auxiliary jack and USB connection.
The i-Tech adds an upgraded sound system, EMV (Electronic Multi-Vision) Display with Navigation System, electrochromatic rear view mirror, electrically adjustable leather seats and rain-sensing wipers.
On the road, the Camry Hybrid feels firm, stable and sure-footed; even more so than the standard petrol powered Camry, thanks to the suspension set-up and increased weight. Acceleration at passing speeds on the open road is impressive, with the Hybrid version leaving the standard petrol Camry in its wake from 70km/h up, although low down torque is lacking.
Priced at $48,990, the entry level Camry Hybrid retails at $500 above the entry level Prius, and at $54,990 the i-Tech is $7,100 under the $62,090 Prius i-Toyota Camry Hybrid InteriorTech, which is more sophisticated with its solar panels and stationary ventilation system.
At this keen price, we can see the i-Tech Camry Hybrid being the real winner.
We look forward to putting Toyota's fuel consumption claims to the test in our forthcoming extended road test.
Update; 22 March 2010.
Having just had the opportunity to complete an 800km round trip from Auckland in rush hour traffic, south through Cambridge, across to Tauranga via the steep, windy Kaimai Ranges, then over to Rotorua and Taupo and returning back to Auckland again, the Camry Hybrid returned an impressive 6.3L/100km.
We should point out this wasn't an economy run, but merely an opportunity to put the car to the test over a mix of road conditions and speeds, in real world driving conditions. Not quite the 6.0L/100km that Toyota quote, but so close to it that had we been really trying, we almost certainly could have achieved something in the 5's.