Toyota Camry 2016 News

Sporty SX scores navigation and touchscreen, while rest of range scores ISOFIX baby seat mounts and Euro 5 compliance.Toyota has tweaked its eighth-generation Camry line-up across the board for 2016, though it has stopped short of making any major cosmetic or mechanical changes to the one-year-old car.The main beneficiary of the tweaks to the Camry range is the Atara SX, which will now run the Toyota Link 7.0-inch colour touchscreen system, along with satellite navigation, a JBL Audio stereo with digital radio and an enhanced rear view camera with graphics.New 18-inch rims and red exterior highlights, along with a powered retractable rear sunshade, round out the sports-oriented SX's updates.It will wear a $1,500 uptick when it hits showrooms in early June, retailing at $33,490 before on road costs.Toyota has also lightly revised the other six cars in the Camry line-up, with all variants now fitted with two ISOFIX child restraints and front/rear corner parking sensors.ToyotaBoth powertrain variants have also been certified as Euro 5 emissions compliant, with no changes to the power, torque or fuel economy figures of either the 133kW 2.5-litre petrol four in the base Altise (135kW in Atara) or the 151kW petrol/electric hybrids available in Altise, Atara S and SL.The Atara S scores a 4.2-inch multimedia screen, while the top grade SL now sports an inductive charging tray for suitable phones.The 18-inch rim and sports suspension package from the SX can also now be optioned on the SL.While sales of the Camry have softened compared to 2015, it still accounts for more than 40 per cent of the medium sedan category for the year to date with more than 5,400 sales, almost 4,000 cars ahead of its nearest rival, the Mazda6.The Camry will be the last car down Toyota's Altona production line before the Victorian plant is shuttered in late 2017. It's also set to become the final mass-produced car to ever be made in Australia, with Ford bowing out this October and Holden set to close its Adelaide plant in mid-to-late 2017.

As June 30 approaches, things get frantic in the new-car sales business. Brands and dealers feel the pressure and deals come thick and fast — some are better than others.Some car "brokers" make ridiculous claims about saving up to 25 per cent on a new-car price. Best be sceptical as there just has to be a catch — old build plates, unpopular model or colour, old stock etc. Best to deal with the makers direct, as the deals are sharp enough.Market leader Toyota has drive-away pricing on some popular models. The Corolla Ascent manual starts at $20,990, saving about $2500 on full freight. The auto is $2000 more.The Yaris Ascent auto starts at $17,990 drive-away, while the Camry is at a lossmaking $26,990 including prestige paint that usually adds about $500.Toyota is adding extras for no cost on some HiLux variants, for example the tow and stow pack worth $1300.Mazda is taking the drive-away pricing route on some models, starting with the Mazda2 at $16,990 drive-away for the manual. But it also promotes unspecified end of financial year "bonuses" on others. The Mazda6 gains a safety pack at no extra cost.Nissan finance is doing 1 per cent interest on its more popular models and there is drive-away pricing on less favoured badges. The Micra, soon to depart Australia, is the best buying at $12,990 drive-away for the manual, about $2700 off.Mitsubishi is doing free auto upgrades on several models.Hyundai has a mix of incentives. These include drive-away pricing on Accent Active manual hatch at $14,990 — about $3500 off (and just $1000 for an auto). It still has the i30 Active auto at $19,990, roughly $7000 off.There is five years' free servicing on some Hyundais and, on others, free third-party, registration and stamp duty (but not dealer delivery). ABN holders get a $1500 factory bonus on iLoad.Kia's run-out Cerato is $19,990 drive-away, plus free auto plus a $1000 gift card — making it the cheapest small car with auto in Australia. It's about $6000 off full price.In addition, all Kias have an unbeatable seven year/unlimited kilometre warranty.Holden's Step Up Sale has range of incentives, among them drive-away pricing, free auto and three years' free servicing.Holden is doing three years' free servicing on its SUVs, free auto and three years free servicing on the Colorado and Ute and free auto on Commodore. The Spark LS manual at $14,990 drive-away is just $1000 above its RRP.Ford's range is variously boosted by drive-away pricing, cash bonuses of $500, $1000 or $2000 dependent on the model, tech packs on some of the commercial vehicles (Ranger) and auto on some cars.Drive-away pricing is a given or should be at this time of year. If you can't get it, shop other brands.

Here are some of the best buys if you want to get in early before June 30.

April is the quietest month of the year for new-car sales — but it's still a good time to pick up a bargain if you shop wisely.

Tasty transactions are hard to find. Enhance your negotiating skills with CarsGuide's review of the best buys at these drive-away prices.

Here's a recap of the year's stars, with impressive arrivals and value added to staples.

The secret (and some not so secret) models that will power Ford, Holden and Toyota when their factories close.

That's the showroom tag for the Toyota Camry hybrid, which finally hits the road today.  The hybrid is being pitched as the flagship in the Camry range, from the way it looks to a cabin that is claimed to set a new standard for quietness in a locally-made car. The hybrid bottom line is fuel economy of 6 litres/100km, with performance that trims a full second from the petrol-powered Camry's 0-100km/h time.  The $36,990 pricetag compares to $29,990 for a basic Camry Altise, or $39,990 for a Prius hybrid. The basic details of the Camry hybrid have been public since the car was introduced in 2006 in the USA, but there has been a lot of work on 'Australianising' the car, both for production and driving.  "Right from day one we knew that the American version wasn't going to work," says Phil King, who headed local chassis tuning work. The result is a car which is more responsive, as well as packing a full suite of safety gear.  The Camry hybrid picks up the vast majority of its mechanical package from the third-generation Prius, which went on sale last year, although it has a 2.4-litre engine (up from 1.8) and still has a drive belt for the water pump, unlike the Prius. Full details of the pricing, equipment and sales plan will be revealed later today. But Toyota Australia is already trumpeting six airbags, ESP stability control, active steering assistance and a special power cut-off.  But the boot has taken a hit to fit the onboard battery system. "This hybrid can walk, and chew gum," says Peter Evans, technical chief for Toyota's imported cars.  More details later, together with a first driving impression.

Australia's first hybrid, a petrol-electric Camry, is set for production in 2010 and work is nearly finished on the extra assembly stations at Altona. But, before the Camry hybrid, Toyota also has a minor tweak for the Camry and Aurion in the third quarter of this year. It's mostly about improved efficiency and value, but there will be changes to the front and rear bodywork. Toyota Thailand gave a hint on the new direction when it unveiled its version of the Camry hybrid last week, although the headlight and tail lamp treatments are sharper and more edgy than the Australian car. The local Camry will get new-style headlamps, most likely projector beams, and will have a new type of tail lamp cluster produced on an all-new production line at Hella Australia in Mentone. The facelift design work has been done at Toyota Style Australia under the direction of Paul Beranger and should be more acceptable to Australian tastes. But Toyota Australia refuses to make any comment on the upcoming updates, or the exact timing of the hybrid Camry. "Yes, there will be an update to the Camry and Aurion this year. But you will have to wait to see what we have," says Toyota spokesman, Mike Breen.