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Comments
does a hybrid have to be ugly?
i am waiting to see the '06 camry hybrid,would seriously consider it.
toyota has it right,accelerate away from the light up to 35-40 mph then use the gas engine,honda has it backwards.255 h.p. hybrid who cares? i want gas mileage
let them drink the oil i say-collin :mad:
That is a welcome trend.
Detroit Free Press
May 13, 2005
Toyota Motor Corp., the world's second-largest automaker, is speeding the release of its next Camry sedan by at least six months, aiming to keep it the best-selling U.S. car, three industry analysts familiar with the company's plans said.
The 2007 Camry should arrive at dealers as early as February 2006, said Jim Hall, an analyst with AutoPacific Inc., basing his comments on discussions with Toyota. That would bring the new model to market 4 1/2 years after the current edition's release. Toyota has redesigned the Camry every five years since its 1983 debut and put it on sale around early September each time.
link title
I wonder things like -
Will the transmissions go from 5 to 6 speeds (to jump ahead of Ford/GM's latest venture)?
Which V6 will they use? I can't imagine they'll use the existing 3.0/3.3 since it seems they've developed 3 new engines - the 2.5 (IS), 3.0 (GS) and 3.5 (Avalon). I personally think the 3.0 from the GS with 245 hp would be perfect - in line with Accord/Altima, but leaving a gap below Avalon.
Will they "hybridize" the I4 or the V6? If they want to sell 20% of Camry's as hybrids (as has been reported), it doesn't make sense that they'll use the V6 - particularly after seeing the slow response to the Accord which is $30K.
And finally - will there EVER be a Camry wagon again???
My fantasy car - Hybrid Camry Wagon using the 4 cylinder.
Would love to hear any inside scoop from someone in the know!
Come on Toyota. There are plenty of us that are smart enough not to fall for the SUV ploy, but we still want some room - bring over some wagons. We'll even forgive you if you have to give them some goofy name (or acronym) to avoid the alleged stigma of the wagon moniker.
The current 210 horse 3.0L unit in the Camry will be axed, as it is now the only vehicle that still uses that engine, and it doesnt really make sense to continue producing this. The 3.3L, Toyota-wide, I believe will eventually be phased out, but Im not sure as to the timing or how this will affect the Camry, since so many models use that engine. I will say that I have read that Toyota has already registered for trademarks on the names of vehicles like RX350, ES350, etc... so expect that the Lexus models using the 3.3L will soon be moving to the Avalon's 3.5L. (FWIW, the next Lexus ES is rumored to be introduced next spring as well, earlier than normal).
The three new engines you cite are actually four new engines from the same family that was introduced first as the 245 horse, high torque 4.0L in the 4Runner.
I agree that the 3.0L unit would be perfect; high efficiency, with good torque for the size (and doesnt occur too high on the tach). I, personally, am interested to see what is done with the 4 cylinder models. Toyota needs definitely to play with that engine a bit, and I'd LOVE for all sold in the US to be PZEV rated and have about 170 hp, which would be no small feat (but very possible if the company can move to dual VVTi on that engine).
I'm doubtful that a 6 speed auto will be introduced initially with this car, considering the excellent Avalon doesnt use one. But as long as the 5 speed is refined and can be tweaked to be less reluctant to kick down, I think theres no problem.
The Hybrid situation is very interesting, and I have no idea where Toyota is going to go on this one. A wagon seems doubtful, theres still not much profit potential there, unless mindsets change. That said, have you considered a Subaru Legacy wagon? Its a phenomenal vehicle (We have both an 02 Camry and an 05 Legacy).
~alpha
Thanks for the thougtful reply.
I, too, was kind of doubtful of the 6-speed transmission, but thought it might be a way to extract some more power/efficiency out of the current 4 - although you're correct that a move to dual VVTi would do the same.
I am probably hoping for too much to see a Camry wagon again. I'm guessing that Toyota hoped the Highlander would fill that role (at a much heftier profit, I'm sure) or something like the concept that was displayed in Detroit this year (can't remember the name, but struck me like Toyota's version of Pacifica).
I have considered the Subarus - would just like a little better gas mileage (hence the pondering about a hybrid wagon).
Thanks again!
Nice handling fun to drive vehicle though.
Since the efficiency is so high on the 3.5 (with 21/29 in the heavier Avalon), I expect them to use a 3.5, with some beef taken out to increase efficiency to 24/32. Expect 240HP.
The trunk may shrink (escpecially on the Hybrid Model).
I expect them to do away with the SE model. Introduce Nav as a factory option.
It's hard to come up with real changes for a car that has been SO successful.
People don't buy in this class for sports-car handling, or manual trannys, or sexy styling. They want the basics done right.
I just expect a more efficient V6, slightly more powerful than the Camry SE. Small increase in passenger space, balanced by a decrease in trunk space. Better options from the factory (maybe adjustable suspension on XLE, Nav, reclining rear seats). They'll cherry pick a couple from the ES.
DrFill
http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/usautotoyotahybrid
It would make perfect sense for Toyota to come in between on power ratings with a hybrid, selling for about the same price (or a little less) as the V-6 when comparably equipped. I think they could do this. They detuned the V-6 in the HL/RX for the hybrid version, and would probably do a bit of that to the 4-cyl for this hybrid as well. But imagine it: a 200 hp hybrid Camry selling at $2K more than the 4-cyl, and making better fuel economy than either of the gas-only models.
If they do keep the SE, I wonder if it will continue to have more power than the other trims in the V-6.
The news is saying that the hybrid Camry will start to be manufactured late in the year (2006) at Georgetown, so it will probably be close to a year after the launch of the next-gen Camry before the hybrid appears at dealers.
2014 Mini Cooper (stick shift of course), 2016 Camry hybrid, 2009 Outback Sport 5-spd (keeping the stick alive)
Nippon- I feel that if your suspicions are true, it will be a sign that Toyota is rushing this vehicle to market, as the automotive landscape in this segment is much changed since 1997's generation 4.
The 4 cylinder needs more power to remain competitive with the other segment leaders (the Accord is supposed to get a 10 hp bump to 170 with its 2006 mid cycle refresh, and the Altima is already above that, the Saturn Aura will debut with an advanced 2.4L around 170 hp as well).The older 3.3L engine should start to be phased out with this Camry, IMO, especially since the ES is moving to the newly designed V6 family when it debuts. If Toyota wants to maintain its market share (without the impetus of incentives) in this segment, it needs a home-run redesign like its had with the Corolla, Sienna, and to the greatest degree, Avalon.
[I'm referencing your comment: "is that the hp of the 4-cyl will remain around where it is (witness the evolution from one gen to the next in 1997, it gained, like, 5 hp), and the 3.3 will become the standard V-6 for a while. If that rises to around 240-250 hp, that will leave a large gulf in power ratings between the 4 and the 6."]
~alpha
only 48k of them to be made,i guess i'll just get a 4 cyl le for now and wait a few years till the prices come down. my wife agrees the prius is really ugly,how much mileage would they lose with wider tires?? it really needs some side molding or something??? those slab sides are terrible!! i don't know of anyone who says the prius is good looking,back-end also. they should have put the powertrain in the good looking corrola to start with. don't you agree? heard some are shutting off on the hwy here in cal. it was on the tv. hybrids still the way to go
Speaking of mix, I wonder what the rest of the Camry line-up will look like for the next generation. In terms of content, I feel all models are fairly well equipped, save for the XLE 4 cylinder. The 16 inch alloys should definitely be standard on that model. And the LE V6 should be using 16 inch wheels and tires, as well. Naturally, side airbags and curtains should be made standard on all models, and I'd like to see the 'Standard' renamed CE... whats wrong with that designation? The Sienna and Corolla use it....('Standard' is so 1980s).
~alpha
Anything with an XLE designation should have standard alloys (I thought it did for '05?). Indeed, with $12K cars having alloys these days, it would be really nice to see the Camry have standard alloys across the line, except maybe a "standard" if they continue that trim. Auto climate control is becoming very prevalent industrywide too, and more Camrys should have this next time around.
As for the output of the 4-cyl, I hear what you are saying. But Toyota has always sold well despite being on the low side powerwise, and I would really like to see this car do better than 24 mpg city when they reintroduce it next time. That is just not a very impressive number these days. They could probably achieve some gains just by fooling with VVT and other tricks with the head, and maybe boost low-rev torque at the same time.
2014 Mini Cooper (stick shift of course), 2016 Camry hybrid, 2009 Outback Sport 5-spd (keeping the stick alive)
You make an interesting (strange) comment:
"I would really like to see this car do better than 24 mpg city when they reintroduce it next time. That is just not a very impressive number these days."
It's not impressive? Really? Can you name a midsize vehicle that achieves better? I can only think of the Prius, which doesnt really count, and the 5 speed manual Accord.
~alpha
Anyway, I am not saying Camry's current rating is junk or anything. I am saying what I would LIKE to see, since whatever it ends up being will be all there is for the next five years. And when I said it is not that impressive now, what I meant was that competing cars get almost the same mileage from their V-6s. C'mon, I know Toyota must have a trick or two up its sleeve to bring that number up a little. And I would prefer to see that than a big power increase. (Indeed, I don't know how much more power they are going to be able to get from an NA 4-cyl engine - at some point if you want more power a standard V-6 just becomes inevitable).
2014 Mini Cooper (stick shift of course), 2016 Camry hybrid, 2009 Outback Sport 5-spd (keeping the stick alive)
So, we have one Hybrid (the Prius) and one Diesel that sells for 25K plus (the Passat), and one sports hatchback that sells for 26K plus.
I agree- theres always room for improvement, and I think it would be awesome to see the Camry 4 cylinders in the 25-26 range for city economy.... but 24 is still right at the top of the class for GAS powered, MIDSIZE, MODERATELY priced vehicles.
~alpha
In the hypothetical world, I would like to see a next-gen Camry improve fuel economy by 10-15% without losing power.
2014 Mini Cooper (stick shift of course), 2016 Camry hybrid, 2009 Outback Sport 5-spd (keeping the stick alive)
2014 Mini Cooper (stick shift of course), 2016 Camry hybrid, 2009 Outback Sport 5-spd (keeping the stick alive)
Note the badging:
I see some lines of the new IS, especially in this side view. I hope this resembles what the new Camry will look like come production. Add a decently powerful I4 and a 250+HP V6 and they would have a real winner. Not that they wouldn't have a winner no matter what it looked like and what engines it had...
I believe these are pictures taken from a movie that revealed the new Camry at a "Toyota Banquet" I think that was for dealers and are supposedly the actual 2007 Camry. The guy that took them said if he remembers correctly that the engines will be the 3.3 V6 and a jazzed up version of the current 2.4L I4.
Looks like the new Camry will give the Accord even more competition. I wonder how the Corolla will hold up against the "upmarket" redesigned Civic.
It's good to hear that toyota finally phase out the old 3.0L engine, and put 3.3 as standard! I just dont get why the current gen5 V6 XLE get the 3.3L.
If it has VSC, Traction, SAB, SCAB, ABS, etc as standard equipment. It would be definitely a "better buy" compare to accord/sonata!
Also, looked at the last pic from claudius753, it seems that the wheelbase has stretch + finally a new set of rear suspensions!
IMO, the 2006 Civic seems to be a bit overstyled, but it is great to hear from honda that majority/all safety features will be standard!
I will be disappointed if the 3.3L sticks around unchanged. The new generations of engines are much more efficient; the Camry SE's current 225hp 3.3L rates 20/29, whereas the Avalon's 280 horse 3.5L rates 22/31.
Really, I was actually expecting the *new* 245 horse 3.0L or the 3.5L detuned from the Avalon. Important to note that Lexus has registered the name ES350 with the US Govt, for what thats worth.
~alpha
I am anxious to see the hp and mileage of the 4-cyl.
Wouldn't worry too much about the Avalon having better mileage. 23/33 sounds like a good guesstimate to me.
HP on the V6 will probably be 230 (RX330 engine?)
The 4 may go to 170HP, with 28/38 EPA. I expect at least 5 MPG better than the V6.
The profile is still Camry.
At least they didn't wreck it (like Honda did the Accord)!
DrFill
1. Do I understand correctly...this fall's 06 Camry will be largely a carryover of the 05, with the next-generation 07 model released next Spring?
2. I've read here that the 07 may feature standard side airbags. Do you think the 06 would also feature standard side airbags?
If it did get that kind of power/economy, with the more agressive styling, the Camry would become a major contender for my next new car.