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Marton Pettendy21 Nov 2017
NEWS

Toyota launches pricier, imported Camry

Prices up at base level, but V6 and hybrid models down

Toyota Australia has released its first imported Camry since the original launched in 1983, just seven weeks after it ceased production of the model it replaces.

As Toyota conceded it would back in June, when we drove the eighth-generation mid-size sedan in the US, the better looking, better equipped, more powerful, more dynamic and more efficient Japanese-built Camry arrives more expensive than before at base level.

Now priced from $27,690 plus on-road costs (up from $26,490, Toyota says the entry-level Ascent’s increased safety equipment more than accounts for the $1200 increase over the base Altise it replaces.

This includes an upgraded multimedia system, 7.0-inch display audio with Toyota Link, Optitron instruments, 4.2-inch multi-information display and driver’s power lumbar adjustment.

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Firsts across the range for this Camry, which comes with a five-star ANCAP safety rating, are LED headlights and across-the-board adoption of all-speed active cruise control (ACC) and a pre-collision safety system with autonomous emergency braking (AEB) at speeds above 10km/h.

Also standard across the range are lane departure alert (LDA) with steering assist, auto high-beam (AHB), reversing camera, seven airbags, hill-start assist control (HAC) and a trailer sway warning system (TSC).

Other standard Camry Ascent features include new seats, 17-inch alloy wheels, full-size spare, 60/40-split rear seatback and LED daytime running lights.

The Ascent is also offered as a hybrid, offering additional features including dual-zone air-conditioning, keyless entry/ignition and a drive mode select function.

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It comes with a sub-$30,000 price that is $500 less than the superseded model and just $2300 more than the cheapest four-cylinder.

Priced from $29,990 – or $31,990 as a hybrid -- the better-specified Ascent Sport is a respective $200 and $1200 cheaper than the Atara S it replaces.

Apart from a sports grille, bumper and side skirts, extra features over the base Ascent include an 8.0-inch display screen, satellite-navigation, 7.0-inch multi-information display, premium steering wheel and gear shifter, rear parking sensors, power driver’s seat adjustment, stainless steel scuff plates, LED glovebox lamp and a temporary spare wheel.

Also down $200 (compared to the outgoing Atara SX) is the Camry SX ‘sports sedan’, which for $33,290 plus ORCs adds (Camry-first) 19-inch wheels, sports body kit, sports suspension, leather-accented sports seats, paddle shifters, Qi-compatible wireless phone charger.

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Also available in SX spec is the new Camry V6, which at $37,290 costs just $4000 more than the four-cylinder and a whole $6700 less than the discontinued Aurion Sportivo (although the base Aurion AT-X was more affordable at $36,490).

Rounding out the range is the top-shelf SL, available with four-cylinder ($39,990 – up $2550), Hybrid ($40,990 – up $550) and V6 powertrains, the latter priced $6450 lower than the old $50K-plus Aurion Presara flagship.

Additional SL features include a blind-spot monitor, rear-cross traffic alert, 10-inch head-up display, electro-chromatic rear-view mirror, paddle shifters for both petrol and hybrid, rain-sensing wipers, ventilated leather-accented seats, power-operated front seat and steering column adjustment, front parking sensors, moonroof (hybrid) and a first-in-class opening panoramic roof (petrol models). Wheel sizes drop to 18-inch.

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The only options are premium paint ($450) and a panoramic sunroof for SX models ($1950), while capped-price service costs are pegged at $195 for the first five services, which are now at 12-month intervals.

Toyota says the price increases for three of the nine new Camry models (Ascent, SL and SL Hybrid) are outweighed by additional features.

Yet the engine in the first two models is Toyota’s carryover 2.5-litre petrol four-cylinder, which produces 133kW/231/Nm in the Ascent and 135kW/235Nm in SX and SL, while the other two powertrains are new.

They include Toyota’s latest hybrid system and a new direct-injection 3.5-litre petrol V6 outputting 224kW of power and 362Nm of torque – up from 200kW/336Nm.

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Averaging fuel consumption of 8.7L/100km (8.9 for the SL), running on 95 RON premium unleaded and meeting Euro 6 emissions standard, the V6 employs both the Otto cycle and Atkinson cycle where appropriate to enhance fuel economy.

It’s matched with an eight-speed automatic transmission with direct lock-up from second to eighth gears, sequential shifting and auto-blipping downshift control.

The six-speed auto in base four-cylinder Camrys now also comes with auto-blipping on downshifts.

Despite increasing its combined output to 160kW, the new petrol-electric system lowers the Camry Hybrid’s fuel consumption from 5.2L/100km to 4.2L/100km (4.5L/100km for the SL).

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Its new 131kW/221Nm 2.5-litre ‘Dynamic Force’ petrol engine is matched with an electric motor and continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT) with six ratios access via paddle shifters (SL only) plus new Sport mode and Auto Glide Control function.

TNGA packaging sees the nickel-metal hydride hybrid (‘Hyper-Prime Ni-MH’) battery moved from the boot area to under the rear seat, improving boot space and positioning battery weight lower in the car.

A lighter and more compact power control unit now sits directly above the transaxle, lowering the vehicle’s centre of mass and enabling a lower bonnet.

The hybrid gains a new SPORT drive mode, along with the previous NORMAL, ECO and EV modes, delivering improved acceleration response relative to pedal input.

It also features a new Auto Glide Control system that promotes smooth and efficient coasting that helps improve fuel economy.

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The first sedan to be based on Toyota’s New Global Architecture (TNGA), the new Camry brings a 25mm lower roof, 40mm lower bonnet, 50mm longer (2825mm wheelbase),10/20mm wider front/rear wheel tracks and 30 per cent greater torsional rigidity, plus a lower driving position and centre of gravity, improving handling and style.

Body length increases to 4905mm (4885mm for Ascent), width to 1840mm and height to 1445mm, boot space is 524 litres (up 30 litres, but just 493kg for Ascent without a space-saver spare) and kerb weights start at 1495kg.

Camry firsts include double-wishbone rear suspension (replacing struts, trailing links and dual lower links) and an electric parking brake with auto brake-hold function, while new manufacturing techniques include hot-stamped steel, laser-screw welding and body adhesive.

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Also new is the electric power steering system, braking has been upgraded via larger front/discs and the MacPherson strut front suspension has been redesigned, remounted and given new geometry to improve stability, grip and ride quality.

The Camry has been Australia’s top-selling mid-size car for 23 years. Toyota has sold more than 930,000 here since 1983, including 705,000 four-cylinder cars, 46,000 hybrids and almost 180,000 V6s. Including 111,000 Aurion V6 sales, the combined total is more than a million.

2018 Toyota Camry pricing (plus ORCs):
Ascent — $27,690 (+$1200)
Ascent Sport — $29,990 (-$200)
SX — $33,290 (-$200)
SL — $39,990 (+2550)
Ascent Hybrid — $29,990 (-$550)
Ascent Sport Hybrid — $31,990 (-$1200)
SL Hybrid — $40,990 (+$550)
SX V6 — $37,290 (-$6700)
SL V6 — $43,990 (-$6450)

Options:
Premium paint — $450
Panoramic roof — $1950 (SX)

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