KUALA LUMPUR, April 1 — The new Camry about to be launched tomorrow is a mechanically superior car than the one it replaces. What we are going to get for the Malaysian market are two variants, namely the 2.0 litre and the 2.5 litre variants. Prices are yet to be announced, but the motoring media had a short go yesterday at putting the two variants through a short test – in a nutshell, we are getting a slightly face-lifted model with better mechanicals and more features.

The base model remains the 2.0 litre variant, but it comes with a brand new engine that features direct injection and more horsepower. New power ratings are 167 PS at 6,500 rpm, while maximum torque is 199Nm at 4,600 rpm.

Direct injection engine of the 2015 Toyota Camry 2.0.

The transmission moves forward, with the old 4-speed auto being discarded for a new 6-speed automatic transmission. During the short driving stint I had with the new 2.0 Camry, I found the new transmission to be a vast improvement over the previous one, and gear changes are seamlessly smooth. Combined with the newly found increase in horsepower, the new Camry 2.0 is worth considering.

For the 2.0 litre variant, there are two specification levels, the 2.0E and the 2.0G, with the E being more basic. Whilst both still only have the basic two airbags, ABS and EBD (Electronic Brakeforce Distribution), the 2.0G is fitted with additional VSC (Vehicle Stability Control), TRC (Traction Control) and HAC (Hill-Start Assist Control). Both come with HID projector headlamps and daytime running lights (DRL).

The 2.0G also gets black leather seats, and eight-way controls for driver and front passenger seats whilst the 2.0e gets fabric seats, and mechanical seat controls. Wheels are 16-inch alloys for both G and E variants.

A view of the interior of the 2015 Toyota Camry 2.5.

The 2.5 litre model gets a hybrid drive system, and an older engine introduced in the Camry hybrid from 2011, and does not have direct injection. The fact of the matter is, the new 2.0 litre engine was developed from this 2.5 litre engine, and its first introduction is in the new Camry 2.0. Thus, the 2.5 litre develops only 160PS from the base engine, and 213 Nm of torque. However, the hybrid system supplements the power by 45 horses to bring the total maximum output to 205 PS and adds on another 270Nm of torque. When accelerating with a fully charged battery (of the hybrid system), the Camry 2.5 scoots off pretty well from standstill due to the additional boost from the electric motor.

The hybrid engine of the 2015 Toyota Camry 2.5.

The hybrid’s transmission is an E-CVT (Electronically Controlled Constantly Variable Transmission) that helps in improving fuel consumption – the ‘rubber band effect’ is not as apparent as other CVTs, thanks to the electronics. Elsewhere, the Camry 2.5 hybrid comes with 17 –inch wheels, Blind Spot Monitor, rain sensor, and 8-way power seats for driver and front passenger.

The 2.5 hybrid Camry also comes with seven airbags, ABS with EBD and BA (Brake Assist), VSC, TRC and HAC. Headlamps are LED type, with DRL, and auto-dimming rear view mirrors. Audio system is a Dashboard integrated DVD-AVN with a 7-inch touch screen display, MP3, iPod, WMA, 1CD and 10 speaker layout.

Fuel consumption for the 2.0 litre is mooted at 7.3 litres/100 km while the 2.5 litre is said to be 5.2 litres/100 kilometres, both numbers based on mixed cycle driving.

The new 2015 Toyota Camry 2.0 is mechanically superior to the previous model.

Elsewhere, Toyota stated that they have fine-tuned the NVH characteristics and also the suspension settings to provide a quieter cabin, and better driving dynamics. We did test the NVH on a specially prepared course, and on the road, the Camry is really quiet.

Now all we have to do is wait for the price announcement – however, a little bird told me that the new prices are going to be rather attractive – Stay tuned.