Toyota launches new Camry Hybrid and Prius in India

A day after Toyota Motor Corporation announced that it had crossed sales of 10 million hybrid vehicles globally, its Indian arm, Toyota Kirloskar Motor announced the launch of two updated hybrid models for India – the new Camry Hybrid and the Prius.

The 2017 Camry Hybrid, the first and the only hybrid model to be manufactured in India, now come with more equipment. The new Camry Hybrid is equipped with an electronically controlled continuously variable transmission which both delivers highly responsive performance and also reduces fuel consumption. The 2.5-litre engine with an electric motor produces a total system output of 205hp. This green car delivers fuel economy of 19.16kpl.

The new Camry Hybrid, which is priced at Rs 31,98,500 (ex-showroom New Delhi), benefits from a markdown of Rs 70,000 in its price under the FAME  scheme.

According to Akito Tachibana, managing director, Toyota Kirloskar Motor, "India being a crucial market for us, we believe there is more to the market beyond just the numbers.  We do not want to make just more vehicles but also want to address other critical issues associated with energy, environment and safety. With an aim to contribute to sustainable growth of an automobile-based society, we believe that environment-friendly vehicles will go a long way to remedy this.”

Following its launch in India in August 2013, the Camry Hybrid has proven to be more successful than its standard petrol sibling with 95 percent of Camry sales being accounted for by the hybrid version. Till end-December 2016, the Camry Hybrid has sold a total of 2,742 units in India.  

Prius showcases latest tech

Toyota has also launched the all-new, fourth-generation Prius in India. Based on Toyota’s TNGA (Toyota New Generation Architecture) platform, the new Prius is priced at 38.96 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi) and is available only in the Z8 trim.

Powering the hybrid is a reworked 1.8-litre petrol engine working in conjunction with a new electric motor. Toyota has also equipped the car with a regenerative braking system that collects energy to charge the battery every time the brakes are applied. Also provided is a choice of drive modes. Toyota claims that the all-new Prius’ hybrid powertrain can deliver a mileage of 26.27kpl. Combined power output is at 122hp.

The Prius also gets a fair bit of kit with the India-spec models featuring leather upholstery, heated front seats, a touchscreen infotainment system, a 10-speaker JBL audio system, heads-up display and dual-zone climate control.

In terms of safety, the new Prius comes equipped with seven airbags, ABS, stability control and traction control.

The car, however, won't be an out-and-out sales driver for the brand with Toyota stating that the model was launched in India to act as a demonstrator of its latest hybrid technology.

As before, the new Prius is a CBU import with the model’s pricing positioning it quite close the new Honda Accord Hybrid which costs Rs 37 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi). Toyota may also consider local assembly of the all-new Prius to avail of the benefits provided by the government on locally assembled hybrids and EVs.

According to Akitoshi Takemura, senior vice-president, Toyota Kirloskar Motor, “The Prius was the first hybrid model to be launched by Toyota in India.  The new Prius is an improvement along with the first-ever introduction of TNGA in any Toyota model. The new Prius is a glimpse of the future expected in Toyota models.”