All-new replacement due on Thai forecourts in the first half of 2012
- So which one's which?
The all-new Toyota Camry you see here is the North American version launched earlier this week in the US. The Asian-look variant _ yet to be launched anywhere in this region _ will have slightly different bumper and light design, as seen here in leaked images from Japanese brochures.
Broadly speaking, the new-generation Camry for both sides of the Pacific is essentially the same, just that the hairdressers have given different cosmetic touch-ups to suit its respective markets. Thais, like most Asians, like more chrome, for instance, because it makes cars look classier.
The specific Camry pictured here is the Hybrid model, and the regular petrol-powered ones are only differentiated by the smallest of visual details.
- That's quite a chunky piece of a steering...
Yeah, Toyota probably wanted to house more remote switches on the steering for better driver ergonomics. There's also a three-spoke design, although the Asian Camry would be getting the four-spoker as pictured here. Even so, Toyota could always make use of the other variation for future updates or special edition models.
Speaking of the interior, Toyota claims that repositioning of the seats have enabled better comfort for all occupants rather than just making the body completely bigger than ever. And for the first time, the rear seats can fold down for more boot versatility.
Cabin comfort has always been the name of the game for the Camry, which is why Toyota stresses that there are higher levels of external noise suppression and ride comfort.
- Are Thais finally going to get the latest technology?
Let's certainly hope so, because Toyota Motor Thailand has finally decided to bring forward the latest tech being offered in other developed markets like for the Corolla.
The new Camry has a 2.5-litre inline-four petrol engine (codenamed 2AR-FXE) with double variable-valve timing and six-speed automatic that has already, in fact, appeared in the previous Camry when it was facelifted in the US some two years back. The one that's still sold in Thailand is the older 2.4-litre (2AZ-FE) mated to a five-speeder.
The new Camry Hybrid also gets the upgraded 2.5-litre block (today's a 2.4) producing a combined output of 200hp together with the electric system. Power and torque outputs varying from market to market, but only on a very small scale.
More important is the Toyota's claims that the Hybrid is around 30% more economical than before. So if you're achieving some 14kpl on the road _ as how Life does in real-world driving _ then we're talking about a diesel-like 18kpl.
- What about the other engines?
Today's Camry is being offered with four petrol engines: 2.0-litre, 2.4-litre and an electrified version of it, and 3.5-litre V6. Some are quite overlapping, since the Hybrid has the performance of the 3.5 but is nearly half as cheap and the economy to beat the similarly priced 2.4.
Ideally speaking, the new Camry for Thailand should come with just the tax-beating 2.0 and Hybrid (2.5) for the 1.2-1.3 and 1.6-1.8 million baht price ranges accordingly. The 3 million baht 3.5 never made any sense in the first place and is only here for image.
- And when is it coming to Thailand?
Most likely in the first half of next year, with a possible outing at March's Bangkok motor show. The Camry is the best-selling mid-size saloon in the Thai market, and Toyota would definitely ensure its leading position by pricing and equipping it competitively against the Honda Accord and Nissan Teana, the other two runaway players in this highly confined sector.
Just to let you know: according to the timetable, Honda's Accord is supposed to get an all-new replacement next year. The Teana, on the other hand, will be around for awhile because it has yet to get a facelift in its current generation.
THE BLOODLINE
XV10: 1991-1996
The first of the wide-bodied series comes to Thailand after the success of the Nissan Cefiro. The engines included a 2.2-litre inline-4 and 3.0-litre V6.
XV20: 1996-2001
The succeeding model came with sharper edges, if still bland appearance. Carried-over engines had been slightly tweaked for more power.
XV30: 2001-2006
The main-selling engine has been enlarged from 2.2 to 2.4-litre, as is the case today. The V6 still sits on the top of the range for power-hungry buffs.
XV40: 2006-2011
Today's range has swelled to four engines, the new ones being tax-beating 2.0-litre and petrol-electric hybrid 2.4-litre.
Credit: Bangkok Post (www.bangkokpost.com)
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