All eyes are on the country’s No. 1 car brand as it prepares for the Philippine International Motor Show. No doubt, many are already wondering what Toyota will bring to this highly anticipated event.
Toyota was among those who gave an early teaser of what could possibly be present on their lineup at PIMS 2024. They shared a short social media video with two covered cars, which are likely hybrids.
All-new Camry Hybrid
We can definitely expect a brand new hybrid model. With its hybrid lineup already filled out, chances are, it’s an update to an existing offering, the Camry Hybrid.
The new Camry Hybrid has been readily available in other markets for over a year. This new model features a longer wheelbase, a brand new front façade with very attractive headlights and daytime running lights, as well as C-shaped taillights behind. Inside is a new dashboard design to better integrate in-car infotainment systems.
Powering the new Camry is a 2.5-liter hybrid engine Atkinson cycle 4-cylinder mated to two electric motors, increasing power to 228-PS. Its hybrid and electric modes will be powered by a new lithium-ion battery.
All-new Toyota Tamaraw
Another highly anticipated model to debut at PIMS will be the next-generation Tamaraw. The Tamaraw will be locally assembled at Toyota’s Santa Rosa, Laguna assembly plant, with the first locally-made unit to roll off very soon.
Like its predecessor, the new Tamaraw is intended to diverse needs, from business to personal use. It will be available in several variants based on either a long wheelbase (LWB) or short wheelbase (SWB) platform. Long wheelbase variants come as turbodiesel-only options, seeing the return of the 150-Ps 2.4-liter 2GD-FTV engine from past iterations of the Innova. Meanwhile, short-wheelbase variants come with the 139-Ps 2.0-liter 1TR-FE gasoline engine.
Of the line-up, the LWB Dropside (High) is considered the top-of-the line variant, featuring a higher-torque version of the turbodiesel mill called the 2GD-FTV (High) with 400-Nm of torque to spin the attached six-speed automatic transmission. This variant is a two-seater dropside pickup but with extra sheet metal below the pickup bed. It is the only variant that comes with 16-inch alloy wheels, a seven-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and extra safety features such as driver and passenger airbags, ABS and EBD.
Other variants in the long-wheelbase, turbodiesel list include the FX Utility Van, an Aluminum Van, and a lower-tier Dropside pickup. These models come with a five-speed manual transmission attached to a 2GD-FTV with a lower torque rating of 343-Nm. They also come with bench seats and a 2-DIN radio. The LWB FX Utility Van is designed for transporting goods or passengers, offering a spacious interior that can accommodate up to 14 passengers. The Aluminum Van is built for business use, providing ample cargo space and durability for heavy-duty operations. The Dropside variant is tailored for agriculture and construction businesses, featuring a configuration that allows for easy loading and unloading.
Gasoline powered short-wheelbase versions of the FX Utility Van, Dropside, and Aluminum Van have pretty much the same features as their LWB counterparts, with the FX dropping seat space to 12.
This model's return is seen as a tribute to its legacy, now infused with modern innovations to meet current demands.
Although Toyota Motor Philippines has not released official prices for the Next Generation Tamaraw, we will likely learn more details at PIMS.