Toyota can easily be credited with being the first car maker in India to come up with a premium hybrid car (Read: Toyota Prius) and we recently reported when it emerged that Toyota Kirloskar Motor, the Indian subsidiary of the Japanese auto giant, could soon launch the hybrid variant of the Camry, which would become the second hybrid to come from TKM. Now, a Toyota Camry hybrid test mule has been spotted plying on public roads of India, thereby, hinting that the car could soon come to us.
While it is no secret that hybrid vehicles don’t have much of a market in Indian car market, the India launch of the Camry hybrid could be a part of a much larger plan, that of Toyota wishing to be known as makers of green cars on a global scale. This means that the manufacturer might want to make a social statement by launching the Camry hybrid in India.
The Toyota Camry is not cent percent visually similar to the non-hybrid variants and comes with a different set of headlamps, revised grille and new fog lamps. It could also get larger 17 inch wheels and tyres that would further help boosting the fuel economy.
On the inside, the car will come with a different dashboard with no wood inserts. The seats will get different upholstery. The instrument binnacle will get battery indicators, range read out and other relevant displays.
Powering the Camry Hybrid will be the “Hybrid Synergy Drive” electric+petrol system and the car will have three driving modes to offer- fully electric, fully petrol and petrol + electric.
The petrol engine is an electric version of the 2.4-litre gasoline motor that powers the petrol variant. The motor has a max power output of 148PS and has a peak torque figure of 187Nm. The engine comes coupled with a 650-volt electric motor that has 142PS of max power and 270Nm of max torque. Together, the two power sources have a max power of 191PS. The transmission duties are courtesy an electronic continuously variable transmission (e-CVT). Further boosting the petrol engine’s output is the usage of Atkinson cycle. Providing juice to electric motor is a nickel hydride battery pack which is mounted in the trunk.
It is pretty much for sure that the car would have a steep sticker price when it is launched in India. It would be interesting to see how the market reacts to the launch of this car.
Pic- Team BHP