Eighth-gen Toyota Camry spied in India for the first time, to go on sale in 2019

22/09/2018 - 12:33 Toyota Camry, Toyota, Spy pictures Sagar Parikh

Testing of the eighth-gen Toyota Camry that had its world debut in January 2017 has commenced in India, spy shots posted by RushLane reader Kunal Mittal have revealed.

2019 Toyota Camry Front Three Quarters Spy Shot In — TKM may launch the eighth generation Camry exclusively in a hybrid variant.

The latest Toyota Camry features a bolder design that is new bumper to bumper. It is lower and wider than its predecessor, and it strikes a balance between refinement and a sensual athletic image. Underpinning the car is the GA-K version of the TNGA (Toyota New Global Architecture) platform.

On the outside, the 2019 Toyota Camry features a two-piece grille composed of flowing thin and thick treatments - key elements of the car’s “Keen Look” design philosophy - flanked by bi-beam LED headlamps with multi-level stacked LED clearance lamps, 19-inch alloy wheels, slim LED rear combination lamps and dual exhaust with quad chrome tips. Some of the features are unlikely for the Indian-spec version such as the 19-inch wheels and the dual exhaust.

The increased sense of sportiness is reflected in the cockpit design with the gauges angled towards the driver and a sweeping (yet elegant) new character line that bisects the centre console waterfall. The 8-inch central display, 10-inch (colour) head-up display and 7-inch multi-information display are integrated in a way that barely requires the driver to take the eyes off the road. The driver’s seat has 8-way power adjustment with power lumbar support.

Other interior highlights include dual-zone automatic climate control with rear-seat vents, Qi-compatible wireless smartphone charging, three USB ports, 8-way power adjustable front passenger seat and Tiger Eye wood trim.

Getting to the mechanicals, the Camry falls in a segment in which most customers in India would prefer a diesel engine. As there’s no diesel engine option, and big volumes are unlikely from this model, Toyota may go hybrid-only with the new model. In that case, one can expect the 178 PS A25A-FXS 2.5-litre Dynamic Force petrol engine combined with the 120 PS electric motor delivering a system output of 211 PS.