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2008 Toyota Camry Hybrid
2008 Toyota Camry Hybrid
Recharged Camry
The Toyota Camry Hybrid is a conservatively styled ride that returns excellent fuel economy.
Toyota is betting that gasoline prices will spark growing interest in its hybrid technology among frugal and environmentally conscious consumers.
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Toyota models the Camry Hybrid on a version of the standard sedan’s base four-cylinder engine. The Camry’s Hybrid Synergy Drive system pairs the gasoline engine with an electric motor/generator and self-charging battery pack to generate almost 200 hp. A continuously variable transmission (CVT) drives the front wheels. A CVT uses belts and pulleys instead of gears. The Toyota Camry Hybrid is not as quick as a V6-based hybrid, but it gets better fuel economy, at an estimated 40 mpg city/38 mpg highway.
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Unfortunately for many drivers, hybrid-car fuel economy tends to be at least 20 percent lower than the EPA's estimates. Even so, mileage is impressive for a five-passenger family car with a big trunk.
The Toyota Camry Hybrid is the costliest four-cylinder Camry in the line. The hybrid technology probably adds about $3,000 to the car’s suggested retail price. That means it will take around six years to recover the added cost in fuel savings alone.
• Toyota Camry Hybrid Vehicle Summary
The Hybrid is cosmetically identical to a conventionally powered Camry, except for unique badging. Driving characteristics are similar to the conventional car as well, which means it favors a smoother ride over sporty handling.
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The sedan comes well-equipped and includes items like a tire-pressure monitor, a premium JBL audio system with an auxiliary jack for connecting portable audio devices, a Bluetooth hands-free adapter for similarly enabled cell phones, a power driver’s seat, and heated outside mirrors.
You want to save a few dollars on gas and help the environment; the Prius is too small or eccentric-looking for your tastes.
You require more power or an SUV or minivan; you don’t feel the hybrid technology is worth the added cost.
Five adults fit comfortably.
The Camry Hybrid includes both a gasoline-powered internal combustion engine and an electric motor, which draws current from a generator and a bank of high-output rechargeable nickel metal hydride (NiMH) batteries. (It also includes a conventional, 12-volt car battery to operate accessories, just like any other vehicle.) The electric motor powers the vehicle entirely when pulling away from a standing stop and at lower speeds. At higher speeds, power comes from both the gasoline engine and the electric motor.
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