2012 Toyota Camry Hybrid Leaps Ahead in Fuel Economy
All-New Midsize Sedan Sees 30-Percent Increase in Fuel Efficiency
SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y., Sept. 8, 2011 - The key to gaining fuel efficiency can be as simple as losing weight, and Toyota has cut more than 200 pounds off the Camry Hybrid to curb its fuel diet. Combined with a revised drivetrain, the result is an impressive jump in fuel economy compared to the outgoing model that will make the 2012 Toyota Camry Hybrid the leader in its class when it arrives at Toyota dealerships this fall.
Toyota went to great lengths to keep the 2012 Camry and its hybrid variant under wraps before its worldwide debut on August 23. With all-new styling that should appeal to a younger demographic and improved fuel efficiency for all Camry models, Toyota has crafted a car capable of retaining the title of America's best-selling car, which it has held for 13 of the last 14 years.
"The redesign of the Camry is an evolution of the model's core strengths rather than a complete revolution," said Bob McKenna, general manager of upstate New York Toyota dealer New Country Toyota of Saratoga Springs. "Small changes here and there have made the 2012 Camry Hybrid a better vehicle all around, but Camry fans will also find that the smooth ride and quiet interior they've come to expect from the model are still a big part of the new package."
Fuel economy for the entry-level 2012 Camry Hybrid LE has increased to 39 mpg on the highway and 43 mpg in the city, which is about a 30-percent increase for urban travelers over the old model. The added fuel efficiency hasn't been at the expense of power either. The outgoing Camry Hybrid has a combined 187 horsepower, while the 2012 Camry Hybrid brings 200 horsepower to the table between its new 2.5-liter engine and electric motor. The gas-powered unit produces 156 horsepower and matching torque numbers, while the electric motor has increased output to 105 kW, up from 30 kW.
Like every Toyota hybrid outside of the upcoming Prius Plug-in, the Camry Hybrid makes use of a nickel-metal-hydride battery pack, which captures energy under braking and releases it to boost acceleration and steady fuel economy during cruising. Toyota hopes the improved hybrid will become a bigger seller in the Camry range, increasing from its current 5 to 6 percent share of U.S. Camry sales to 11 or 12 percent. To help bolster sales, Toyota has lowered the MSRP of the LE trim by $1,150, making the Camry Hybrid the most affordable hybrid in its class.
"The Camry Hybrid is unmatched in its class in both fuel economy and pricing, and it's a model that already has its reputation for safety, quality and comfort," McKenna noted. "The Camry is already the most popular car in America, but the redesigned Camry Hybrid is going to be a real game changer in the midsize market, making hybrids a truly mainstream vehicle choice."
With a large number
of its new electric-assisted vehicles becoming available, including the new
Prius v, Prius Plug-in, Camry Hybrid and Highlander Hybrid, Toyota is
solidifying its position as the largest producer of hybrids in America. That focus
on hybrid technology has led Toyota to sign a memorandum of understanding with
Ford to co-develop a hybrid drivetrain for full-size trucks and SUVs, a deal
which should reduce development costs and thus reduce prices when the resulting
system reaches dealerships later this decade.
Revamped 2012 Toyota Camry Debuts August 23
Japanese Automaker's Iconic Sedan to Reveal New Look in Four-City Simulcast
SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y., Aug. 9, 2011 - When it comes to automotive sales, the Toyota Camry has reigned supreme not just among Toyota's lineup, but among all cars sold in the United States for 13 of the last 14 years. The model's sales have been slower in 2011 due to availability issues resulting from the March earthquake in Japan, but an all-new 2012 Camry will be revealed to the world on August 23 and delivered to Toyota dealerships in the fall.
The unveiling of the refreshed Toyota Camry will take place simultaneously at four separate venues around the United States, a nod to the midsize sedan's prevalence in the marketplace. Video simulcasts will come from the Automotive Hall of Fame in Dearborn, Michigan and the Toyota Camry assembly plant in Georgetown, Kentucky, as well as from locations in New York City and Los Angeles.
"If you're looking for a success story, you need look no further than the Toyota Camry," said Bob McKenna, general manager of Upstate New York Toyota dealer New Country Toyota of Saratoga Springs. "Toyota has sold 15 million Camrys since the vehicle first came out 28 years ago, and the new model will vault the Camry back to the top of the sales charts where it belongs."
Toyota has remained tight-lipped about changes made during the design process, but exterior photos of the 2012 Camry reveal a thoroughly modern exterior with sharper edges that give the car more attitude than the outgoing model. Automotive publication Inside Line revealed that consumers can expect upgraded interior surfaces and design along with new smartphone-connected entertainment and navigation systems that have become a must-have in the midsize sedan market.
The 2012 Toyota Camry will have big shoes to fill after the 2011 model bows out. The 2011 Camry, available with three engines, is far and away the automaker's best-selling product. In July alone, 27,016 Camrys left dealership lots compared with 17,577 Corollas, which are big sellers themselves.
Efficiency has drawn customers to the Camry for years, and Toyota has hinted that new models will see a boost in fuel economy. However, the 2012 Camry will maintain the standard four-cylinder 2.5-liter engine that helps return 33 mpg on the highway with a manual transmission and 32 mpg with the six-speed automatic on the 2011 Camry. The 2012 Camry will also inherit the current 3.5-liter V6 that gets this year's model 268 horsepower while still managing 29 mpg on the highway. Buyers looking for even more economic motoring can opt for the 2012 Camry Hybrid, which is expected to improve upon the 31 mpg in the city and 35 mpg on the highway of its predecessor.
"Camry owners look
at their cars as more than just transportation; they're family members," McKenna
added. "Part of that association is the incredible reliability that keeps
Camrys on the road for years and years. Camry drivers know that whether they're
commuting to work or have a long road trip planned, they can count on their
Camry's to get them there. It's that trust that brings Camry owners back when
it's time for their next car, and we expect to see many of them at our
dealership this fall to scope out the 2012 model."
Toyota Returns to the Leaderboard for Initial Quality
Japanese Automaker Rises 14 Spots in J.D. Power and Associates Study
SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y., July 11, 2011 - Highly publicized recalls were a setback to Toyota's reputation in 2010, but the newly released 2011 U.S. J.D. Power and Associates Initial Quality Study (IQS) shows that the Japanese automaker is back at the top of its game.
The J.D. Power and Associates IQS is based on a 228-question survey taken by more than 73,000 car buyers and lessees of the 2011 model year that were surveyed between February and May of 2011 after having their vehicle for 90 days. After an abnormally low ranking in the 2010 IQS that, according to J.D. Power and Associates, was driven entirely by its recalls, Toyota rebounded to rise up 14 spots and place seventh overall in the 2011 IQS. Several Toyota models scored in the top three in their segment, including the 2011 Toyota Camry, Prius, FJ Cruiser and Tundra pickup truck.
"Toyota has battened down the hatches and gone to work to ensure that their cars live up to the reputation they've earned over the years," said Bob McKenna, general manager of Upstate New York Toyota dealer New Country Toyota of Saratoga Springs. "It has been a lot of hard work, but Toyota's recovery has come full circle with the same IQS score they achieved in 2009 before the recalls, and now Toyota quality can only be expected to rise further."
The Toyota Camry has been the best-selling car in America for 13 of the last 14 years and has helped propel Toyota to the top of the automotive world in sales. The 2011 Camry placed third in the IQS Midsize Car segment, and is currently available at Toyota dealers with three different engines, including a 169-horsepower 2.5-liter engine that gets 22 mpg in the city and 33 mpg on the highway when paired with a 6-speed manual. There is also a 3.5-liter V6 option with 268 horsepower that returns 20 mpg during city use and 29 mpg on the highway. Those looking for the most value at the pump can opt for the Camry Hybrid, which uses a 2.4-liter four-cylinder and an electric motor to get 31 mpg in the city and 35 mpg on the highway.
The 2011 Camry Hybrid also comes with an acoustic noise-reducing windshield to keep the interior quiet, and all 2011 Camry models come with High Solar Energy-Absorbing glass, so the summer months won't cook the car's contents. Heated leather seats are an option, as are sport fabric-trimmed seats. There is also a full complement of airbags that come standard to keep passengers safe, including front and rear side curtain airbags, front seat-mounted side airbags and a driver knee airbag.
"New York Toyota drivers have loved the Camry for years," McKenna added. "It's the kind of car that becomes part of your family and lasts long enough to be driven by the next generation. The Camry really is an investment towards the future."
Speaking of the
future, the next generation of the Toyota Camry is due to debut this fall.
Toyota says the 2012 Camry will feature improved ride and handling, as well as
new exterior and interior designs.