India-bound ASEAN 2019 Toyota Camry spied in Thailand

Thai publication Chobrod.com has uploaded spyshots of the ASEAN-spec 2019 Toyota Camry ahead of its launch in Thailand and key Asian markets this year, and an Indian launch next year.

The eighth-generation of the popular sedan has already hit its main markets - North America, Japan and Australia - with its 'Keen Look', and what is perceived as a more aggressive design, but most importantly, Toyota has finally upgraded the popular Camry to the TNGA (Toyota New Global Architecture) 'GA-K' platform. The same platform underpins the more expensive 2018 Lexus ES 300h (which went on sale in India last month), the new Avalon and RAV4 models.

With a wheelbase increment of 50 mm, the 2019 Camry is expected to up its comfort quotient, though weight has not increased. Inside, the dashboard sports a more appealing and luxurious design, and is sure to be equipped with soft-touch materials, a touchscreen entertainment system supporting Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a 9-speaker surround sound system and electrically adjustable rear seats.

The 2019 Camry is expected to launch in India in mid-2019 offering a conventional gasoline and hybrid variant. Both will be assembled at Toyota's Bidadi facility, though the latter is expected to command a price of INR 38 lakhs owing to the government's 43 percent GST on hybrid vehicles.

Also read: 2020 Toyota Land Cruiser rendered by a Japanese magazine

The engine is the 2.5-liter four-cylinder petrol unit making 176 hp and 221 Nm of torque paired to an 8-speed automatic gearbox. The hybrid will combine this engine with an 118 hp electric motor to produce a combined output of 208 hp, and will come with a 6-step CVT and Toyota's Hybrid System II power management.

[Images from Chobrod.com]