The Camry, in spite of being a pretty big saloon, actually shares its TNGA (Toyota New Generation Architecture) with the new Auris, the Prius, the RAV4 and, more obviously, with the new Lexus ES saloon. In fact, under the skin the Camry and the Lexus ES are more or less identical, and both use the same Atkinson-cycle 2.5-litre petrol four-cylinder engine, allied to a hybrid electric motor and a CVT automatic transmission. As before, the Camry will be front-wheel drive.
It will also be much more frugal than it used to be. The old Camry (the XV30 model, which departed Irish dealers in 2006) was lumbered with a smooth-but-thirsty 2.4-litre engine, so the fact that this one will come as a hybrid only will certainly make it rather more appealing to business user-choosers and fleet operators (well, assuming that Toyota is successful in its lobbying campaign to allow business users to claim back VAT on petrol as well as diesel, an ongoing argument with Government). CO2 emissions should be identical to the Lexus' 106g/km figure, so the new Camry will certainly be cheaper by far to tax than it used to be.
It's also aiming at a market that doesn't want the aggressive sportiness of German rivals, but still fancies spending a little less than one would need to on a Lexus ES. Toyota says that it wants to be the class leader in the areas of "quality, durability and reliability, quietness and ride quality" and frankly that's just music to our ears.
If there is a tinge of sadness, this does mean that the dependable old Avensis is going to be pensioned off shortly, not least because Toyota is going to stop making diesel engines. The new RAV4 will take up a lot of the Avensis' sales slack, with the Camry there as a luxury option.
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