2024 Toyota Camry Unveiled: Embracing Hybrid Power Across the Board

The curtains have been drawn on the new-generation 2024 Toyota Camry, making its grand debut in the US with an exclusive hybrid powertrain and a groundbreaking optional all-wheel-drive system for the frst time in its storied lineage.

Scheduled for an Australian release in the latter part of the upcoming year, this latest iteration of the Camry, an emblematic presence in Toyota’s lineup since its inception in 1982, bears a striking resemblance to its predecessor. The ninth-generation XV80series Camry inherits the TNGA-K platform from its forerunner, albeit sporting a more assertive front-end design reminiscent of the Prius, accentuated by harmonizing tail-lights. Despite these aesthetic updates, much of the defning body contours and character lines of the current Camry have been retained.

However, it’s a different story within the vehicle. The interior has undergone a signifcant transformation, adopting a new rectangular theme to replace the outgoing model’s curved lines. This redesign appears to liberate additional cabin space, enhancing the overall ambience.

Notably, Toyota has seamlessly integrated their next-generation wide-screen infotainment interface into the dash, aligning it with the digital instrument cluster and situated above a simplifed center stack and rectangular console. Fresh seating arrangements, updated connectivity services, wireless smartphone mirroring, charging capabilities, and an expanded array of USB ports (including both USB-A and USB-C) further enrich the interior experience.

The North American market will offer four distinct model grades: LE, XLE, SE, and XSE. The latter two, with a more sporty inclination, differentiate themselves from the former pair with designs that boast aggressive air ducts, functional front canards, a rear diffuser, and a rear lip spoiler. The fagship XSE takes it a step further, sporting a unique body-colored ‘sports’ grille.

Under the bonnet of every variant lies a newly-crafted 2.5-litre four-cylinder petrol-electric hybrid powertrain, replacing the absence of a V6 option this time around, even in the US market. This powertrain is projected to deliver an “estimated” 168kW in front-wheeldrive guise and 173kW in all-wheel-drive confguration. While the AWD offering will come at an undisclosed premium across the US lineup, it’s unlikely that Australia will see the introduction of all-wheel-drive versions, considering the existing all-hybrid front-drive Camry lineup, excluding the entry-level Ascent.

Toyota USA promises a refned suspension setup aimed at delivering sharper dynamics and improved ride comfort across the board. However, the SE and XSE variants will sport their own bespoke ‘sport-tuned’ suspension, aligning perfectly with their more athletic persona.

Max Crus is a Clarence Valley-based wine writer and Grape Expectations is now in its 26th year of publication. Find out more about Max or sign up for his weekly reviews and musings by visiting maxcrus.com.au

Max Crus

How now brown car?

What kind of person buys a brown car?

There is no shade of brown for a car that has any aesthetic merit, yet. Yet presumably there’s enough demand that a few manufacturers offer such a ghastly colour.

Possibly that number is down to one. Holden always had one. Falcon too.

Campbells Rutherglen

Merchant Prince Rare

Muscat (NV), $150 (375ml). It pours like motor oil from a brown car, even looks like it, and yes, some motor oils are also eye-wateringly expensive but none provide the pleasure of this ‘Rare’ offering. Rutherglen muscat is categorised into four groups : Rutherglen (entry level), Classic, Grand and Rare. All of

Studebaker’s shade was almost nice. SAAB had one but that could have been arctic grot from thawing Icelandic roads.

You can see a pattern, none of these cars are made any more, leaving Fiat as perhaps the only brand brave enough and surely it’s so little in demand it is an optional extra. Possibly you could order metallic them are pretty good, but Rare is next level and this deserves its moniker. 9.8/10.

Henschke Eden Valley Hill of Grace Shiraz 2013, $950 (Current release 2018). The lunch was planned around the time these grapes were picked, such are special occasions deserving a special wine. Yes, HoG is always impressive and quite a step above most wines, and this brown, but why? It brings to mind the old adage about polishing a turd, which highlights the one beneft of a brown car: there is no point washing it.

You might want to sell your Fiat shares.

Actually there’s another beneft – no-one steals brown cars, not even bank robbers.

“The Woop Woop got better and better until it was gone. But it’s still just wine and $1000 for six glasses is excessive, indeed obscene, for all but those who don’t pay tax. Alas we do. 9.8/10.

(Stone and Wood)

Plonk! White wine inspired Sour Ale, $25 (2 x 500ml, 6.8%).

You may baulk at this following overwhelmingly underwhelming experience with other trendy, out-

Grape Expectations by Max Crus

Commonwealth Bank branch was robbed today. Police are not on the lookout for a brown Fiat.” Which suggests another beneft to brown cars, and answers why anyone would buy such a thing - you will be noticed.

People are drawn to brown - “Geez, there’s a brown car. Why would you do that?” “Who buys a there, try-hard beers, let’s just be weird, e.g. fruit beers, but you would be missing out, It’s worth a crack, whether wine lover or not and you might even buy another. 9.5/10. brown car?” “Look Daddy, there’s a brown car.”

(Stone and Wood) Éirinn Irish Cream Stout, $25 (2 x 500ml, 7%). What a smell! And the thick, sweet, creamy blackness slips down with barely a hint of bitterness and adult stuff. But is it too much?

Kids don’t pick brown for road trip car games.

Okay, what about that retro colour that a few Toyotas and funny little Hyundais come in?

That colour is KhakiToyota call it Sandy Taupe, who is also a country and western singer - and makes buyers feel cool and retro.

Yes. It is as it sounds which some will love, but for Guinness lovers and most others, too sweet.

9/10.

Monkey Place Creek Hunter Valley Semillon 2022, $23. Sounds like a Kurt Vonnegut book or a great wine to have on the menu at Taronga Park. Surely there’s a delightful story behind a place called Monkey Place Creek, and what better wine to share

Anything that helps people with low self-esteem and poor colour sense feel better about themselves is good. Paradoxically, brown is quite acceptable in other facets of life, not the least wine labels, although it’s noteworthy that Wolf Blass no longer makes a Brown Label, and, actually, it’s pretty hard to fnd any others : while you fnd out. 9.3/10. Monkey Place Creek Shiraz 2022, $31. And here’s that story…Monkey Place Creek is behind vineyards at Broke where koalas were mistaken for monkeys by convict roadbuilders. Maybe it’s time to correct the situation although chances are it’s no longer a place for koalas…or monkeys. Good place for grapes though. 9.2/10.