Toyota is making a comeback, and this round, it is serious! Though the lowest end facelifted Camry is still lousily equipped with only 2-airbag and missing traction control, it is banking in on the 2.5-litre Camry hybrid to make the bulk of the sales before the tax incentive run out by end of 2015. Anyhow, Toyota has been losing market share to Honda with its terribly design "Uncle's-look" car, and scantily equipped safety list, and looks like it shall continue this trend. People that buy a D-segment car without proper safety equipment is getting lesser and lesser, and only fools that do not treasure life of their family want that. Wake up, uncle, for the price you are paying, you can get other choice with better ans safer car. Life is priceless, don't risk it!
Let's start with the 2.0-litre Camry, which get to produce 165hp/199Nm of power with the all new 6AR-FSE direct injection with VVT-iW. The VVT-iW is essentially dual VVT, as the variable valve timing is being applied to both the intake and exhaust camshafts. This engine, depending on the power output, can work in the Otto cycle and a modified-Atkinson cycle, whatever this is, all one needs to know is it can roll the front wheel, with better power and increase efficiency. Sadly, at RM160k, the 2.0-litre G variant is only RM15k lesser than the 2.5-litre Hybrid, has 5 airbags lesser, no blind spot monitoring, no Qi charger, no ioniser, wear 1" smaller wheels, no LED headlight, no rain sensing wiper, no auto dimming rear view mirror, etc. The RM150k E variant is even worst, completely throwing away the Traction Control. In 2016, if this "E" Camry were to participate in the ANCAP test, maximum it could only get 3-star. Dude, for RM50k or less, one can get a tiny Kia Picanto with 6-airbag and traction control, or our National pride that think the BMW-equivalent Proton Iriz is also equipped with full safety list. UMW Toyota again is reaping big profit from the uncle generation this round. The best I found in the 2.0-litre variant is the 6-speed auto box. Finally, the 20-year-old 4-speeder is gone. This torqur converter 6-speeder could drive better than the CVT unit that drive the 2.5-litre Hybrid model.
As for the 2.5-litre 2AR-FXE engine, not completely new, though from the same AR family, running on Atkinson cycle, this unit can only produce 158hp/218Nm of power. Efficiency of this engine is better suit for the hybrid drive train. This model is marketed as the highest specifications Camry, asking for RM175k, fully loaded with everything that the 2.0-litre is lacking. This is the Camry for the smart uncle! By the way, the NiMH battery comes with 8-year warranty. However, Toyota is only giving 3-year warranty for the car itself, thus still lacking from the assurance of 5-year from its beggest competitor, Honda.
The interior of the new Camry is nothing but boring still. Both variants share similar setup, except for the differences in the meter cluster and the ICE system. Standard 2.0-litre car audio system could be upgraded to a Toyota 7" screen unit. The hybrid model get a standard JBL unit which has 10-speakers, reverse camera and mirror-link features. No joystick here as it is reserved for the Lexus only. Take a look at Mazda if you want a advance looking interior.
Thunder of applause for Toyota in making this Camry better looking, especially the front headlight and bumper. It now looks sportier, less Uncle-grade, though the rear is still hmm...fit for the mid fourties and above. Throw in additional RM3k, you get the optional aerokit which includes the front bumper spoiler, side skirts, trunk lid spoiler and the rear bumper spoiler (twin exhaust). Immediately, the car is fitted for the early fourties! But the aerokit if only available for the 2.0-litre variant. To the hybrid owner, just admit you are the uncle, no offence. One thing to note here, the trunk swing arms are now finally cover up. Guess my comment has been taken seriously. The previous car has the arm metal expose, looking as cheap as it can get.
The front and side profiles look good. Toyota is trying its luck this round, especially with the hybrid model roll-out which capture the mind of people thinking paying RM175k for hybrid is well worth the money as without the tax incentive, this car is worth >RM220k easily. People, if you purchase this at RM175k, years later, you are not going to sell it for RM200k. Consumers nowadays are smart, and car never appreciate in value. Let's now look forward to the arrival of the facelifted Mazda 6 before making your booking!
As for the 2.5-litre 2AR-FXE engine, not completely new, though from the same AR family, running on Atkinson cycle, this unit can only produce 158hp/218Nm of power. Efficiency of this engine is better suit for the hybrid drive train. This model is marketed as the highest specifications Camry, asking for RM175k, fully loaded with everything that the 2.0-litre is lacking. This is the Camry for the smart uncle! By the way, the NiMH battery comes with 8-year warranty. However, Toyota is only giving 3-year warranty for the car itself, thus still lacking from the assurance of 5-year from its beggest competitor, Honda.
The interior of the new Camry is nothing but boring still. Both variants share similar setup, except for the differences in the meter cluster and the ICE system. Standard 2.0-litre car audio system could be upgraded to a Toyota 7" screen unit. The hybrid model get a standard JBL unit which has 10-speakers, reverse camera and mirror-link features. No joystick here as it is reserved for the Lexus only. Take a look at Mazda if you want a advance looking interior.
Thunder of applause for Toyota in making this Camry better looking, especially the front headlight and bumper. It now looks sportier, less Uncle-grade, though the rear is still hmm...fit for the mid fourties and above. Throw in additional RM3k, you get the optional aerokit which includes the front bumper spoiler, side skirts, trunk lid spoiler and the rear bumper spoiler (twin exhaust). Immediately, the car is fitted for the early fourties! But the aerokit if only available for the 2.0-litre variant. To the hybrid owner, just admit you are the uncle, no offence. One thing to note here, the trunk swing arms are now finally cover up. Guess my comment has been taken seriously. The previous car has the arm metal expose, looking as cheap as it can get.
The front and side profiles look good. Toyota is trying its luck this round, especially with the hybrid model roll-out which capture the mind of people thinking paying RM175k for hybrid is well worth the money as without the tax incentive, this car is worth >RM220k easily. People, if you purchase this at RM175k, years later, you are not going to sell it for RM200k. Consumers nowadays are smart, and car never appreciate in value. Let's now look forward to the arrival of the facelifted Mazda 6 before making your booking!
