2018 Camry revealed
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This week Motorweek did a first drive type of review on the new Camry. They liked it well enough and said that it is a better Camry but doesn't break any new ground but should hold its spot as the #1 selling family sedan. They mentioned that a new Accord and Altima are on the way keeping the segment competitive.
Lexus Test Driver
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Would imply that ICE stays on all the time, to reduce the lag when the engine cranks and engages with the drive wheels. AWD requires instant reaction, as it activates under wheel spin or lack of traction.
Lexus Test Driver
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Curious how these values will hold up in a year - I'm seeing ex-rental 2016 Camry SE's under $15k which is a pretty good buy for a decent car, assuming that aggressive pricing is a combination of low-demand for sedans and the release of the 2018 Camry's. I personally wasn't a big fan of the 2012-17 Camry's but pretty excited to check out the 18 Camry especially the Hybrid with an improved powertrain.
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A similar setup is the through-the-road hybrid, that has an electric motor driving the rear wheels in addition to, and separate from a normal (non-hybrid) FWD drivetrain. Through-the-road hybrids start running in RWD mode, with the ICE off and only turning on as more power is needed, when the vehicle switches to FWD mode. On-demand AWD is available simply by allowing the FWD engine to run and turning on the rear motor.
Lexus Test Driver
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No, it would not have to work that way. This eAWD system already operates on the Highlander, RX and RAV4 Hybrids. They have the normal Hybrid Synergy Drive in the front and a separate, independent motor to drive the rear wheels in an on-demand AWD system.
A similar setup is the through-the-road hybrid, that has an electric motor driving the rear wheels in addition to, and separate from a normal (non-hybrid) FWD drivetrain. Through-the-road hybrids start running in RWD mode, with the ICE off and only turning on as more power is needed, when the vehicle switches to FWD mode. On-demand AWD is available simply by allowing the FWD engine to run and turning on the rear motor.
A similar setup is the through-the-road hybrid, that has an electric motor driving the rear wheels in addition to, and separate from a normal (non-hybrid) FWD drivetrain. Through-the-road hybrids start running in RWD mode, with the ICE off and only turning on as more power is needed, when the vehicle switches to FWD mode. On-demand AWD is available simply by allowing the FWD engine to run and turning on the rear motor.
edit: Through the road hybrid is what I said before, ICE runs essentially most of time, negating the gas savings of a hybrid
Last edited by My0gr81; Aug 2, 2017 at 06:12 PM.
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yeah, that's basically 4 electric motors, 1 at each corner and the ICE as part of the front wheel synergy drive. This is why the RX Hybrid is rated at higher HP than RX non hybrid. It's also much more expensive and much heavier. Add that weight to a Camry, and it defeats any advantage for the electric drive train.
The Acura MDX Hybrid with its super-handling AWD system does add 2 electric motors for the rear axle, but Toyota does not do this.
Earlier, you said that the ICE would be "that ICE stays on all the time" but no hybrid has the ICE running all the time. The ICE may be running "essentially most of time", but this not the same as "stays on all the time".
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It's not really a lost opportunity if the bulk of people wanting AWD and hybrid are also wanting a crossover body style, which, they have in the RAV4 hybrid. It's all about which beast do they want to feed. It would seem that the Camry's reign as the top dog Toyota is likely done and they wouldn't want to take away from the RAV4, especially if the RAV4 is a higher margin product for them.
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No, this is not correct. The Toyota hybrids with eAWD merely add a single (one only) electric motor to power the rear axle in addition to the normal FWD hybrid system; it is not one electric motor for each wheel.
The Acura MDX Hybrid with its super-handling AWD system does add 2 electric motors for the rear axle, but Toyota does not do this.
Earlier, you said that the ICE would be "that ICE stays on all the time" but no hybrid has the ICE running all the time. The ICE may be running "essentially most of time", but this not the same as "stays on all the time".
The Acura MDX Hybrid with its super-handling AWD system does add 2 electric motors for the rear axle, but Toyota does not do this.
Earlier, you said that the ICE would be "that ICE stays on all the time" but no hybrid has the ICE running all the time. The ICE may be running "essentially most of time", but this not the same as "stays on all the time".
WRT through the road AWD, ICE comes on at certain speed, or at take off due to wheel slippage. Having driven in Edmonton, Alberta for over 20 years, I can tell you, The ICE will be on in the winter. We can split hairs about % of time, but it will be significant enough to negate any benefits related fuel savings expected of a hybrid. It's great for performance and low end torque though.
Last edited by My0gr81; Aug 3, 2017 at 05:06 PM.
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Power has to go each wheel on the driving axle, either 2 motors or 1 larger motor and a differential. Pick your weight poison.
WRT through the road AWD, ICE comes on at certain speed, or at take off due to wheel slippage. Having driven in Edmonton, Alberta for over 20 years, I can tell you, The ICE will be on in the winter. We can split hairs about % of time, but it will be significant enough to negate any benefits related fuel savings expected of a hybrid. It's great for performance and low end torque though.
WRT through the road AWD, ICE comes on at certain speed, or at take off due to wheel slippage. Having driven in Edmonton, Alberta for over 20 years, I can tell you, The ICE will be on in the winter. We can split hairs about % of time, but it will be significant enough to negate any benefits related fuel savings expected of a hybrid. It's great for performance and low end torque though.
There is no disagreement regarding the through-the-road hybrid. It is a very quick-and-dirty design that gives very little benefit and is a concept that very few automakers make use of.
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The ICE doesn't always have to be on if there's enough reserve battery capacity for the rear motor. And no, you don't need two motors in the back, even Tesla use a single rear motor and a single front one on their AWD Model S.
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Don't know if that is the stock exhaust, but they sure did improve the sound of the V6 vs the previous generation. Previous gen V6 was fast as well, but sounded like a vacume cleaner when you stepped on it.