Anyone know when it hits the market? Also, what's the buzz about it?

Thanks,

Steve

http://www.greencarcongress.com/2004..._camry_in.html sounds like a 2006 release thanks to the success of the HSD in all toyota hybrids.

2003 toyota prius, 55 mpg lifetime starting.

The article has someone commenting on "waiting lists for HH and the Lexus RX400".I don't think there is any prolonged wait for the HH,is there?Carmax has about 19 of them at its Laurel store-all $2000 off the true MSRP-cheapest one is $31800 FWD- cheapest AWD $33,400.Not bad prices.Thanks.Charlie

The article was written more than a year ago, so I assume it refers to preorders for the HH and RX400h.

BTW, in the hybrid-deprived state of South Carolina, I saw my very first RX400h today. I thought the tail lights looked cool.

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im pretty sure the camry goals is more creature comforts than the prius, but v6 performance for corolla economy.

2003 toyota prius, 55 mpg lifetime starting.

About a year and a few months ago I had talked to one of the engineers assigned to the Fusion project. Originally it never crossed my mind about them doing a version as a hybrid until he noticed my HCH, actually spotted it just by the wheels. He turned the tables on me and started asking more questions then I was asking him about the prototype he was driving around on the local city streets.

The main focus he had was about the CVT in my HCH. Lots of questions, good thing I had studied up on them. That's when I finally popped the big question. Will they be making a Fusion Hybrid and was he assigned to the project? That's my story about how I found out. Of course you know the answer was yes and it turned out the guy was a drivetrain engineer.

As far a Camry Hybrid. I'm still for the 4cyl, it should produce better MPG figures than the HAH but will have nowhere near the performance. In the end, it'll be a "large" sedan with a hybrid system. Quite a few people I know have turned away from hybrids because they think they "look funny", the Camry will fix that for the Toyota buyers. Of course these people never knew the HAH, HCH existed because the Prius normally steals the show when it comes to the media.

'00 Insight "Wazabi" -75,000+ miles
'03 Toyota Matrix - 81,000+ miles
'03 HCH-CVT-OSBM-41,000+ miles (retired 04-10-06)
"I'm very secure with my little Insight, no Prius envy here."

So Toyota could have really done better as far as FE with their Camry hybrid (i.e. more along the lines of a Prius-sized engine), but isn't the 2.4 the standard engine they put in their I4 Camrys? At least they hybridized the smaller of the available engines, unlike what Honda did to their HAH. Hopefully, not too many years from now, we'll be laughing at the notion that all models, and all the engines that come with them, weren't offered as a hybrid option in the early 2000's.

Hmmm why do you say that? It looks like the right balance of performance and FE to me. They are creating a hybrid for the masses. I love the Prius, but let's face it the Prius is for hardcore users only.

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