The new Camry hybrid has just made a huge jump in fuel economy:
Quote:
|
The 2018 Toyota Camry Hybrid LE now enjoys EPA ratings of 51 mpg in the city, 53 mpg highway, and 52 combined. In 2017, Camry Hybrids were rated as high as 42 mpg city, 38 highway. Source
|
That's for the highest MPG trim, and is on par with some Prius models.
Notable about the Camry hybrid:
- 52 MPG is for the lithium pack and LE trim. 2 other trims retain the NiMH packs, and their efficiency is a bit lower
- Hybrid battery is now beneath the rear seat, so you get a full size trunk, folding rear seatbacks, and lower center of gravity
- high-compression engine requires premium fuel
- much of the efficiency gain comes from redesigned electronics: physically smaller, lighter & more efficient Power Control Unit (PCU) & DC-DC converter
- There's a new "gliding mode" as part of the "ECO" drive setting that automates neutral gliding as a more efficient driving technique than automatically engaging regen and/or engine braking on releasing the throttle:
Quote:
The Camry Hybrid also features the new Auto Glide Control (AGC), which helps to improve fuel efficiency by calculating an efficient coasting logic. When driving normally, engine braking will slow the vehicle down when the driver lifts off from the accelerator pedal. However, to avoid aggressive engine braking, AGC limits the loss of vehicle speed through an automatic drive setting that acts more like a neutral gear, allowing the vehicle to coast to the stoplight.
An AGC indicator light is illuminated on the Multi-Information Display (MID) when AGC is in operation to alert the driver that less deceleration torque than normal is currently being used. Of note, AGC can only be activated when the vehicle is being operated in the ECO drive mode setting. Source.
|
^ That would be interesting to experience. I wonder how it decides what an "efficient coasting logic" is.
Couple of reviews:
Desirable at last | 2018 Toyota Camry, Camry Hybrid First Drive - Autoblog
2018 Toyota Camry and Camry Hybrid first drive