Toyota Camry Hybrid Breaks Cover in Australia

The Australian arm of Japanese carmaker Toyota pulled the wraps off the hybrid version of its Camry sedan, prior to its market entrance in February 2010. The car was unveiled at the Altona plant, where the official production of the car began today.

The hybrid Camry will use a combination if a 2.4l petrol engine and an electric drive, delivering together some 140 kW (188 hp), up from the 117 kW (157 hp) developed by the regular sedan.

Thanks to its electric drive, the Camry is expected to achieve a fuel consumption rating of under 6l/100 km, way down from the 8.8l achieved by the non-hybrid version.

On the inside, the Camry features a Hybrid Synergy Drive-orientated instrument cluster design. The version presented in Australia features a full leather trim interior, foglights and a reversing camera, hinting to at least two versions to be offered.

Expected to be priced at least AU$3,500 over the regular Camry, the hybrid is being built with a goal of be sold in at least 10,000 units each year.

"Toyota Australia will be only the fifth country in the world that produces hybrid vehicles and that makes me proud of Australia. I expect that this car will bring a new set of business opportunities to the local community so that the Australian and Victorian auto industry will step to the next level both economically and environmentally", Yukitoshi Funo, TMC Executive Vice President said in a release.

The sketchy details presented so far are expected to be completed by full details in the weeks to follow.