HIGH BRED CAMRY
This article is from our archives and has not been updated and integrated with our "new" site yet... Even so, it's still awesome - so keep reading!
Published on Mon, Mar 9, 2009
By: The LACar Editorial Staff
Toyota Camry Hybrid
HIGH BRED CAMRY
Hybrids are a regular sight on the LA freeways as they go flying by in the
carpool lane as the rest of us are stuck in the "fast" lane doing everything but
going fast. These hybrids are usually very identifiable and that is not meant as
a compliment. The Camry however is not recognizable as a hybrid without the
badging or unless one passed you in a parking lot running on full electric,
nearly silent and borderline stealthy.
The new 2008 Camry Hybrid is the flagship of the Toyota hybrid fleet and there's
no question as to why. The Camry has been the best selling car 9 of the past 10
years, partnered here with the Toyota Prius, the best-selling gasoline electric
hybrid system on the market, and Highlander Hybrid model. With gas prices
fluctuating between two and five dollars a gallon, and most families tightening
up their spending, hybrids have been the hit of the year.
When it comes to new hybrid vehicles, and what I want to see in this Camry, is
performance. Will this car do more than save at the pump? The hybrid version of
the Camry has the same great body styling, interior and features as the
non-hybrid version. Sitting down in the Camry the noticeable differences are the
instrument panel having a large MPG gage, a digital display with ECO drive
statistics and the push to start button located on the dash.
With the key fob still in my pocket and a push of the start button the
instrument panel illuminates without a sound from the engine and we are ready to
go. It is not one hundred feet from the parking spot that the 2.4 liter engine
comes to life, which was surprising how quickly it turned on. Only at very low
speeds and on a (level or slightly downhill) freeway did the Camry run
exclusively on the electric motor.
The Synergy drive system is a parallel hybrid system which incorporates a
gasoline engine and electric motor both feeding into a continuously variable
transmission allowing power to come from either or both sources. This system
allows for the vehicle to run on purely electric power in low torque situations
and distribute the power between the sources. While on the highway the Camry is
quiet and often switches between full electric and gasoline, it is however a
seamless switch and with the stereo on it is difficult to know the difference.
Because there are two separate power sources with the parallel system the
drivers feel is much different than a conventional drive system. Under heavy
acceleration both the 147 horsepower 2.4 liter gasoline engine and the 40
horsepower electric motor rev to near redline and as the clutches begin to
disengage, acceleration is impressive. The sound of the car under acceleration
however is very different than a traditional drive train and this makes it
difficult to gauge speed without looking at the speedometer. This small change
of sound takes some getting accustomed to as most drivers in traditional
vehicles use the sound of the engine to subconsciously gauge their speed.
For the nearly $6,000 extra the hybrid will cost, one may ask where is the added
value? Even at $5.00 per gallon it would take 115,000 miles to make up the cost
difference or 228,000 miles at the current rate of $2.50 per gallon. With hybrid
technology and fuel economy and performance in conventional vehicles getting
better with every model, it's debatable whether the hybrid model will help the
bottom line. But more economical or not, the Camry hybrid is a fun drive and by
no means disappoints. - Paul Robinson
SIDEBAR COMMENT
There is a great temptation to measure the value of a hybrid by how much one
saves in gas versus the added cost over its non-hybrid counterpart. But hybrid
ownership is also about lessening our dependence on petroleum, promoting clean
air, and enjoying the silence of its operation - things that have less to do
with monetary returns and more about the type of intangibles that might motivate
others to buy a high performance version of a sedan over a base model. Actually,
the Hybrid model starts with an intermediate version of the Camry that includes
multi-adjustable power front driver and passenger seats, automatic climate
control with separate driver and passenger temperature controls, electronic
traction control, an upgraded interior with leather steering wheel, an on-board
computer, and the proximity-triggered Smart key system (the car senses your
presence and opens the doors upon touch and turns on the ignition at the push of
a button). But the whole of the Camry Hybrid is greater than the sum of its
parts. Surveys indicate that it's the most reliable Camry by a comfortable
margin. Consumers Union just issued a report on the cost of car ownership over
five years. Weighing such factors as resale value, cost of repair and
maintenance, and gas mileage, the Camry Hybrid is among the chosen few in the
report listed as offering the best bang for the buck. - Roy Nakano
SUMMARY JUDGMENT
The Toyota Camry Hybrid's whole is even greater than the sum of its formidable parts.
For more information about the Toyota products, go to
www.toyota.com
SPECIFICATIONS
Name:
2009 Toyota Camry Hybrid
Price: $26,150
As tested: $31,118
EPA Mileage:
33 MPG City/34 MPG highway
Engine:
2.4-liter DOHC 16-valve VVT-i-4-cylinder/ Permanent magnet AC synchronous motor
Horsepower:
147 hp @ 6000 rpm/ 40 hp (30 kW)
Torque:
138 lb-ft @ 4400 rpm/ 199 lb.-ft @ 0-1500 rpm
Drive configuration:
Front engine, front-wheel drive
Transmission:
Electronically controlled continuously variable transmission (ECVT) and
sequential shift
Suspension:
MacPherson strut front suspension with gas-filled shock absorbers and stabilizer
bar, dual-link independent MacPherson strut rear suspension with gas-filled
shock absorbers and stabilizer bar
Wheels/tires:
16 inch alloy wheels/ P215/60R16
Brakes:
Power-assisted ventilated front/solid rear disc with Anti-lock Brake System
(ABS) and integrated regenerative braking
Overall length:
189.2 in
Overall width:
71.7 in
Overall height:
57.7 in
Curb weight:
3483 lbs