Toyota Camry Hybrid
Toyota Camry Hybrid
 | |
| Manufacturer | Toyota |
|---|---|
| Production | 2007– |
| Assembly | Georgetown, Kentucky, United States Toyota City, Japan Chachoengsao, Thailand Altona, Victoria, Australia |
| Class | Mid-size (2007-present) |
| Body style(s) | 4-door sedan |
| Engine(s) | Hybrid Synergy Drive Gasoline/Petrol:2.4 L I4 VVT-i 2AZ-FXE Atkinson cycle
|
| Transmission(s) | Continuously variable transmission |
| Wheelbase | 109.3 in (2776 mm) |
| Length | 189.2 in (4806 mm) |
| Width | 71.7 in (1821 mm) |
| Height | 57.5 in (1461 mm) |
| Fuel capacity | 65.1 L (17.2 U.S. gallons) |
| Related | Toyota Camry Lexus RX Lexus ES Toyota Highlander Toyota Sienna Toyota Camry Solara |
The Toyota Camry Hybrid is a hybrid version of the Camry sedan. The Toyota Camry Hybrid was introduced in May 2006 and has estimated U.S. sales of 60,000 per year, or 15 percent of total Camry sales.[1]
The Camry Hybrid was voted 2007 Car of the Year in the Family Sedan (over $30k) category by the Automobile Journalists Association of Canada (AJAC).
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Specifications
Powertrain
The Toyota Camry Hybrid utilizes a four-cylinder gasoline engine with a continuously variable transmission 108 kW (147 hp) and 187 Nm (138 ft·lbf) and 650V electric motors with a NiMH 245V traction battery with a maximum output of 29 kW (40 hp) to produce a peak of 140 kW (187 hp).[2]
United States Environmental Protection Agency fuel economy estimates for the 2007 Toyota Camry Hybrid are 40 mpg-US (5.9 L/100 km; 48 mpg-imp) (City) and 38 mpg-US (6.2 L/100 km; 46 mpg-imp) (Highway). EPA’s revised method of estimating fuel economy for 2008 and subsequent model years, which now considers the effects of air conditioning, rapid acceleration and cold temperatures, estimates 33 mpg-US (7.1 L/100 km; 40 mpg-imp)(City) and 34 mpg-US (6.9 L/100 km; 41 mpg-imp) (Highway).[3] The California Air Resources Board (CARB) has certified the Camry Hybrid as AT-PZEV, while the EPA has assigned it a Tier II, Bin 3 score.
Unique features
Several features are unique to the hybrid model. Two of these features, LED tail lights[4] and an "ECO" operating mode for the HVAC system, reduce energy consumption. Other such features include:
- Vehicle Dynamics Integrated Management (VDIM)[5]
- Climate Control (HVAC) system which can function when ICE (internal combustion engine) is off.
- Coefficient of aerodynamic drag (Cd) reducing wheel spats and underbody pans (Cd for Camry Hybrid is 0.27)
The hybrid model has a special chrome-lined grille, as opposed to the color-coded ones on every other Camry trim. Other special features include "HYBRID" emblems on front fenders and an "HSD" (Hybrid Synergy Drive) emblem on the rear decklid. Furthermore, the white reverse lights on the rear of the hybrid model are boomerang-shaped, while the ones on other trims are straight.
Rating
2006-Car of Year, 2009-Above Average Reliability by Consumer Report
Introduction
The Toyota Camry Hybrid received its North American production introduction at the 2006 North American International Auto Show in Detroit.
Manufacturing
The Toyota Camry Hybrid is produced in Georgetown, Kentucky and in Aichi, Japan.
Toyota Motor Corporation Australia has confirmed that it will build the Toyota Camry Hybrid for the Australian market after months of lobbying the Australian government for incentives to produce the next generation Hybrid.[6] It will be built at Toyota's Altona production facility in Victoria. The Australian government will give a subsidy of $35m for its production.[7] It could also expect to build the next generation Toyota Camry Hybrid in 2011 for the Asian market.[8]
Toyota will also build the Toyota Camry Hybrid at Toyota Motor Thailand's Gateway plant in Chachoengsao beginning 2009.[9]
50th Anniversary Edition
To commemorate 50 years of Toyota sales in the United States (Toyota Motor Sales began operating on October 31, 1957), Toyota built a special edition 2007 Camry Hybrid. The 50th Anniversary Edition is limited to 3,000 units, and features unique wheels and badging. It comes only in Blizzard Pearl and has a base price of $31,680.[10]
Tax incentives
For U.S. purchasers, a U.S. tax credit of $2,600 was available for purchases prior to September 30, 2006. Taxpayers could claim 50 percent of the credit, $1,300, between October 1, 2006 and March 31, 2007 and 25 percent of the credit, $650, for the fourth and fifth calendar quarters (April to September 2007). No credit is allowed after the fifth quarter.[11][12]
Residents in Ontario[13] and Quebec,[14] Canada can claim a rebate on the Provincial Retail Sales Tax of up to $2000 CDN on the purchase or lease of a hybrid vehicle, and Federal Transport Canada can claim a rebate of $1500 CDN.[15]
Use in HOV and carpool lanes
Because it does not achieve an EPA estimate of 45 mpg, the Camry hybrid does not meet the requirements to drive in California carpool lanes with only one passenger. Virginia qualified Camry hybrids for HOV exemption, but they must be specially tagged by June 30, 2006 to be eligible for I-95 & I-395 exemption. Exemption for I-66 and Dulles Toll Road HOV usage continues even for registrations beyond June 30.
As of July 29, 2005 Arizona Revised Statutes from the 47th session Chapters 28-2416 and 28-737 allow hybrid vehicles that have been approved by the EPA as meeting, at a minimum, the United States environmental protection agency ultralow emission vehicle standard with a $8.00 special plates/hybrid sticker that is displayed on said vehicle to use the High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) lanes regardless of the number of passengers. Arizona has not instituted this policy as it is awaiting clarification of the federal Hybrid HOV waiver from the EPA. On January 16, 2006 SB 1179 was introduced that would reaffirm the HOV benefit, pending federal clearance.
US sales
| Calendar Year | Sales[16] |
|---|---|
| 2006 | 31,341 |
| 2007 | 54,477 |
| 2008 | 46,272 |
Aftermarket upgrades
Upgrades for the Toyota Camry Hybrid are similar to those of other hybrid vehicles which include extra batteries, chargers and solar panels.
Other available upgrades are aftermarket body kits which include side skirts and front/rear bumpers. The camry hybrid also comes with a rear spoiler, but it can be replaced with an aftermarket one as well