Review: Toyota Camry Hybrid

While abroad, Toyota is all about great cars and green cars. In India, they have the image of good cars that are low on maintenance. But Toyota is out to change that perception. They got the Prius first and now they have gone ahead to show that they are serious about their green image by launching the Camry Hybrid. The Camry Hybrid is the company's first hybrid car that will actually be assembled in India. According to company officials who led us through a very organised and thorough presentation, Toyota Kirloskar Motors wants this hybrid to become the 'Local Lexus'.

If you've driven the Prius, and think that the Camry will be a similar car to drive, well, you're on the wrong track. The Camry is an altogether different species, though it has its origins in the Prius.

To begin with, Toyota has changed the face of the Camry for people to easily identify between a regular one and the hybrid. Changes include a new bumper with a wider air dam, restyled fog lamps with chrome inserts, and, of course, the obvious proliferations of blue badges that help identify it as a hybrid.

But the biggest change happens to be on the inside. Just like the standard Camry, this one gets Toyota's DOHC VVT-i 2.5-litre petrol unit, but it's tweaked to accommodate the electric motor. As I said earlier, there are similarities between this power unit and the Prius, but the Camry gets a sniff of more power. The output tally of the hybrid system stands at 202bhp - 158bhp from the petrol motor, and 44bhp from the electric motor. The power split device helps to deliver seamless power to the wheels, and also to the generator that keeps on charging the battery. The battery is nickel metal hydride, unlike the usual lithium-ion, and is placed under a plastic cover inside the boot.

There are three driving modes to choose from - EV, Eco and Normal. The EV mode is majorly used if you're stuck in traffic, as it doesn't allow you to go above 40km/h, so it's not so much fun beyond a point. If you switch to Eco mode where the electric motor and the petrol engine work hand-in-hand with one another, the hybrid systems jigsaw is solved. The result is that you're immediately transported into an evolved and refined driving experience, not to forget an efficient one.

The e-CVT (electronically continuously variable transmission), which the engine is mated to, takes a bit of time to push itself off the starting line - but, at the end of the day, as the revs build up, smoothness and refinement simply ooze out of this machine. But, it isn't until you switch to 'Normal' mode that you fully understand what this 2.5 litre engine is capable of. The torquay petrol engine takes off its gloves and provides immense energy, which truly builds your excitement levels.

But, it's not all about the engine. Inside, Toyota has generously provided features that make it an ideal chauffeur-driven car. The three-zone climate control for the driver, front passenger, and rear passengers, cooled front seats, cruise control, powered rear seats that recline, and a rear armrest that houses the controls for the recline functions, all find their way inside the car. The sunblind for the rear windscreen and manual shades for the rear occupants add to the comfort of the people seated there.

Still not impressed? Well, the ride quality will ensure that you are. Even with the additional weight in the boot (of the battery), it's beautifully sorted when it comes to the suspension setup - and Toyota's claims of testing the Camry in local conditions for 10,000 kilometres starts making sense.

Efficiency wise, Toyota claims that the Camry Hybrid delivers 19.6km/l (ARAI figures), which is truly impressive for a car of this size. But what is exceptional here is that Toyota has managed to break all the barriers, and come out with a car that is smooth, luxurious, and possibly affordable (since it will be assembled here).