Brand-new but still forbidden Toyota Camry unwrapped

One of the few sedans still prevailing amid the bodystyle’s ongoing slowdown in key markets, Toyota has taken the wraps off of the all-new Camry bound for the United States early next year.

Change in focus

Known internally as the XV80, and therefore the replacement for the XV70 that went on-sale six years ago, the ninth generation Camry also becomes the first in the model’s almost 42-year history not be offered with a conventional petrol engine as motivation now comes solely from a hybrid powertrain.

This also means not only the end of a six-cylinder option available since the second generation’s debut in 1982, but also the TRD moniker as Toyota has opted to only retain the LE, SE, XLE and XSE trim level denominators.

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Still based on the TNGA-K platform, but surprisingly not detailed dimensionally, the Camry adopts an appearance similar to the Crown on first glance, though the rear is a evolution from the XV70.

The work of Toyota’s famed Calty design studios in California, the Camry rides either on 18 or 19-inch alloy wheels, with black detailing on the grille, bootlid and wheels themselves being standard on the XSE.

Along with the sloping roof and standard LED headlights across the entire range, no less than nine mono-tone colours can be chosen from; Underground, Ice Cap, Reservoir Blue, Supersonic Red, Wind Chill Pearl, Midnight Black Metallic, Celestial Silver Metallic and two new options, Heavy Metal and Ocean Gem.

Reserved for the XSE is a dual-tone hue that matches the Heavy Metal, Ocean Gem, Wind Chill Pearl and Supersonic Red with a Midnight Black Metallic roof.

Techier inside

Inside, the Crown influence continues, but not to the same degree as the exterior. Sporting a less curvy look than the XV70, the XV80 offers a choice of materials depending on the trim level, to a choice of two infotainment systems; an eight-inch on the LE and SE and a 12.3-inch on the XLE and XSE.

Both systems are equipped wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, as well as over-the-air updates and a selection of type-A and type-C USB ports.

Similar to the infotainment system, Toyota has made two different digital instrument cluster displays available; a seven-inch on the LE and SE, and a 12.3-inch on the XLE and XSE supplemented by a colour Head-Up Display.

The latter models also receive a panoramic sunroof as standard, with only the XSE being privy to a nine-speaker JBL sound system.

It does though join the XLE in being the recipient of heated and ventilated front seats, plus the optional Premium Plus Package comprising Front and Rear Park Assist with Reverse Automatic Braking, a panoramic rear-view monitor, Traffic Jam Assist, Front Cross Traffic Alert and Lane Change Assist.

As standard, all four Camry variants are fitted from the off with Lane Departure Warning, Autonomous Emergency Braking, Steering Assist, Radar Adaptive Cruise Control, Auto High Beam Assist, Lane Trace Assist and Traffic Sign Recognition.

Goodbye V6, hybrid only

Up front, and with the departure of both the 2.5 and 3.5-litre engines, the Camry’s hybrid powertrain combines the latest evolution of the former with a new electric motor and battery pack of which no further details were revealed.

In replacing the V6 though is a dual-motor hybrid that adds a second electric motor to the rear axle to create what Toyota calls an electronic on-demand all-wheel-drive system.

The knock-off is an uptake in combined power from the front-wheel-drive’s 166 kW to 173 kW, a not unsurprising 51 kW down on the V6.

With the end of both conventional petrol engines, the eight-speed automatic gearbox also departs, leaving only a revised version of Toyota’s electronic CVT augmented by paddle shifters on the XLE and XSE.

No chance of a return

Again set to be produced at the Georgetown Plant in Kentucky, speculation has pointed to an estimated starting price of around $30 000 (R549 364) in spite of Toyota reaming mum on confirming sticker prices.

What is certain though is that the Camry will remain a forbidden entity for South Africa where sales wrapped-up in 2006 following the discontinuation of the XV30.

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