LA 2008: Toyota shows off Camry CNG Hybrid
Click for high-res image gallery of the Toyoat CNG hybrid Camry
Toyota isn't holding a press conference at the LA Auto Show this year, but that doesn't mean it doesn't have anything to show. The Prius purveyors have built a CNG-fueled Camry hybrid. According to Toyota spokesperson Jana Hartline, the purpose of the CNG hybrid is to demonstrate the versatility of Hybrid Synergy Drive. The car gets 50% better fuel efficiency than the last production CNG vehicle offered by Toyota, which was based on the 2000 Camry. Hartline explained Toyota has no immediate plans to produce either CNG or CNG hybrid vehicles, but the company is looking at all alternatives for the future.
PRESS RELEASE
TOYOTA DISPLAYS HYBRID SYNERGY DRIVE® VERSATILITY WITH
CNG-POWERED CAMRY HYBRID CONCEPT AT
2008 LOS ANGELES AUTO SHOW
LOS ANGELES, Nov. 19, 2008 – Toyota Motor Sales (TMS), U.S.A., Inc., today highlighted the versatility of its Hybrid Synergy Drive® system by showing a compressed natural gas (CNG) Camry Hybrid concept vehicle at the 2008 Los Angeles Auto Show.
"In the near future, growing demand for liquid petroleum simply and effectively will exceed supply," said Chris Hostetter, group vice president, TMS Advanced Product Strategy. "Before that occurs, automakers must look to vehicles powered by alternative fuels. We believe CNG will be one of those alternatives."
The current CNG benefits are amplified by rapidly changing market conditions and an increase in consumer environmental awareness. As a transport fuel, natural gas is a clean and safe gasoline alternative. It can potentially reduce U.S. dependency on foreign oil and reduce vehicle operating costs. Currently more than 99 percent of natural gas used in the U.S. comes from domestic & other North American sources. Proven worldwide natural gas reserves are estimated to last until 2100 and have the potential to last until 2200 through improved advanced production methods.
Natural gas also produces lower particulate emissions, nitrous oxide (NOx), carbon monoxide (CO), carbon dioxide (CO2) and non-methane organic gases (NMOG), and less CO2 per unit of energy when compared with gasoline. In addition, it has a higher flash point (ignition temperature) than gasoline, can run at a higher compression ratio and is quickly dispersed into the atmosphere, should a leak occur.
The CNG Camry Hybrid concept was designed by the TMS Advanced Product Strategy group and built by Metal Crafters of Fountain Valley, Calif. To convert the stock Camry Hybrid to a CNG vehicle, the gasoline fuel system was replaced with a CNG system including two CNG tanks installed in the spare tire well area.
The exterior of the vehicle also received some sporty 'concept' touches. A sleek custom front fascia and front bumper cover eliminate the grill opening, while a custom rear bumper covers the tail pipe and visible exhaust system. The vehicle is fitted with 19 x 7.5 alloy wheels and Bridgestone Potenza 225/35ZR19 run-flat tires to accommodate the lack of a spare tire. The overall ride height is lowered while new side body skirts and "Compressed Natural Gas Hybrid" graphics complete the unique look.
In 1999, Toyota marketed a CNG-powered four-cylinder Camry to fleet customers in California. Due to relatively low gasoline costs at that time, customers were not attracted to a vehicle that required special refueling techniques and a limited refueling infrastructure. The program was discontinued a year later. Today there are less than 1,000 CNG refueling stations nationwide, with less than half open to the public.
"Toyota believes CNG has huge potential, both in the U.S. and globally," said Hostetter, "but CNG is just one of the many alternative fuels we're exploring in our ongoing advanced technology research and development."
TOYOTA CNG CAMRY HYBRID CONCEPT
PRELIMINARY SPECIFICATIONS
POWERTRAIN
2.4 liter, 4-cylinder engine with Toyota Hybrid Synergy Drive®
Gasoline fuel system replaced with CNG system
ESTIMATED FUEL ECONOMY (mpg)
City/Highway/Combined = 32/34/33
(Gasoline Camry Hybrid = 33/34/34)
NET HORSEPOWER (Engine + Electric Motor + Generator + Power Storage)
170 hp
CNG SYSTEM
Two (2) Lincoln composite Type 4 tanks - plastic liner with carbon fiber wrapped exterior
Tanks installed in spare tire well area
Maximum 3,600 psi
CAPACITY
Proposed 8 gallon gasoline equivalent
RANGE
250+ miles
DIMENSIONS (inches)
Overall Length: 191.2
Overall Width: 71.7
Overall Height: 57.5
Wheelbase: 109.3
Wheel Size: 19 x 7.5 alloy wheels
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Adis 6:10PM (11/19/2008)
Thats HOT looking!!!! This should be a refresh of the next camry!!!.
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biggins 6:04PM (11/19/2008)
this camry looks sweeeeeeeeeeet!!
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john 6:36PM (11/19/2008)
the first camry saved to my picture folder ;)
Kumail 6:05PM (11/19/2008)
i can't believe i am saying this, but i actually like those headlights....
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Torrent 6:11PM (11/19/2008)
It'd be awesome if they were on the SE.
dwightB 10:52PM (11/19/2008)
Um, it's a black housing / clear side marker version of the current Camry headlight. Not exactly going out on a stylistic limb are ya? lol
Enok 6:08PM (11/19/2008)
When will someone harness methane gas? Then we can fart our way to work.
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Samurai Jack 6:29PM (11/19/2008)
It does kind of look like the face of your avatar. Bulging eyes, flat face... Sleestack FTW.
Actually, Hitmonlee comes to mind.
Torrent 6:13PM (11/19/2008)
at least PAINT a grille.
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Marc-O 6:16PM (11/19/2008)
The absence of grill is kind of the point of the mod...
Torrent 6:22PM (11/19/2008)
I thought the mod was that it takes Natural Gas.
?????
Marc-O 6:29PM (11/19/2008)
The mod to the FRONT FASCIA, you know, the whole grill-less look, on purpose...
Marc-O 6:21PM (11/19/2008)
Man, I'm all for CNG and all its advantages, but the idea of riding around with two 3,600 PSI pressure vessels in the back makes me quite damn nervous, regardless of the flammability of their content...
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Noah 6:49PM (11/19/2008)
Psh, don't be a pussy.
Jimbo 7:46PM (11/19/2008)
what, you wouldn't want your kids sitting in the back seat, on top of those tanks?
Rex 3:06AM (11/20/2008)
Okey, in Pakistan, CNG the most popular method of fuel your vehicle (infact I can't recall the last time i saw a car without a cng kit in it). My own car has a gas tank, yes it may give you the creeps (especially when fueling, makes a weird whooshing noise), but trust me, its okey, i have never heard of a gas tank exploding, so that should not scare you
gus 6:33PM (11/19/2008)
Looks "better" with the new paint and wheels, the body modification still looks so tacked on though -
http://www.autoblog.com/2006/11/01/sema-toyotas-sema-hybrids/
I like how Toyota "recycle" their show cars - how "green"!
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happy_penguin 7:05PM (11/19/2008)
I've always liked the looks of the current generation Camry but the bullet nose on this just looks wrong to me.
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Mobius_1 7:36PM (11/19/2008)
That looks like the LF-A reborn, now with two extra doors!
That is one nice looking sedan.
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Jimbo 7:47PM (11/19/2008)
I never thought I'd say this.....but I think the regular Camry with a grille looks better. I like the concept of a CNG hybrid though.
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