I wish they would have devoted all the improvements to fuel efficiency. We don't need any more stinkin' power. Alternatively, provide two models, one with enhanced power and one without enhanced power. Was there really a "need" for more power?

Yes, there was a huge *marketing* need for MORE power.
Hybrids still have an imagine in the public eye as being slower than normal cars. And anyone who wanted pure econmy could just get a Prius instead of the Camry. Both are 5-seater sedans. Why would Toyota want to compete with thier own marketshare? :)

The Camry already has plenty of power and is selling fantastically well. If there was a marketing need for more power, why wasn't this provided before? If the power would not decrease with a hybrid, what would be the problem? If Toyota made it clear that the power was the same with better gas mileage, it seems like this would be adequate to market the car.

Harvey D: Camry hybrid is 4-cyl, not 6.

Hum, wasn't there something on greencarcongress perviously from Nissan saying they will not be embracing hybrids?

Any reason to think a 2006 hybrid Altima will happen?
I'm skeptical.

Nick: I hope you are right and that the Camry Hybrid will be with their excellent 4-cyl. My wife is on third Camry 4-cyl and is very satisfied. I'm planing to buy the Hybrid version in 2006,if it comes with the 4-cyl.

"2006 Camry: man/24/33 auto: 23/33"

The redesigned 2007 Camry, on which the hybrid Camry will be based, will probably get even higher mileage than that in it's non hybrid version. The CD is 0.28 for once, and I think the engine will be redesigned.

They will start with a 4-cyl, but nothing keeps them from eventually adding a 6-cyl.

Treehugger had this to say a while back (going off of that Autoblog translation of the Japanese magazine Adam H mentioned):

"We learn that the new version will have a drag coefficient of 0.28 (the Prius, at 0.26, is one of the most "slippery" cars on the road) which should help it achieve good highway fuel economy, that the length of the new car is the same as the current version and that a 2.4 liters 4-cylinder engine of 167 hp will be available in the non-hybrid model. No word on a V6 yet."

So, yes .28 drag coefficient which should see better fuel efficiency at highway speeds, yes on 4 cylinder in both hybrid and non-hybrid (6 cylinder perhaps in the future).

Check out the Treehugger article for pictures of the redesigned 2007 Camry.

The treehugger article has some glaring omissions. Here is the 07 Camry press release in its entirety. This should clear up the confusion.

............................................................................
America's best-selling car is redesigned for 2007, getting new styling, more power and features, and, for the first time, a gas/electric hybrid model. Camry retains the same overall length as the 2002-2006 version, but adds 2.2 inches to wheelbase and cuts height by nearly an inch. Base-model curb weight is up some 175 lb. New features include standard instead of optional curtain side airbags. The line consists of a price-leader CE trim level, volume LE, sporty SE, and luxury XLE. All come with a 158-hp 2.4-liter 4-cyl engine and a 5-speed manual transmission or a 5-speed automtic. LE, SE, and XLE also offer V6 versions with a 268-hp 3.5-liter and a 6-speed automatic transmission. Camry's previous most-powerful V6 had 210 hp and used a 5-speed automatic.

Both '07 automatics include a manual shift gate. The Hybrid teams a special 2.4-liter 4-cyl gas engine with a battery-powered electric motor for 192 net hp. It teams with a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT) providing near-infinite drive ratios. Like Toyota's smaller Prius hybrid, Camry's automatically drives on either or both power sources, depending on conditions, and requires no plug-in charging. Antilock 4-wheel disc brakes are standard for all models. So are front torso side airbags, head-protecting curtain side airbags, and, for the first time, a driver's knee airbag.

The Hybrid adds antiskid/traction control that's available for other models. SEs come with 17-inch wheels, the other models with 16s. SEs also have a firmer suspension, and specific trim inside and out. The Hybrid also has unique interior and exterior trim. A split folding rear seat is standard except on SE and Hybrid, which have a fixed seat with center pass-through. Leather upholstery is included on the V6 XLE, available for the 4-cyl XLE and the SE. A navigation system with CD changer and wireless cell-phone link is optional for SE and XLE, as are heated seats. A new-to-Camry keyless-entry/starting system is included on Hybrid and available for V6 XLE.

The 500,000 Prius cars sold so far, most of them the current models speaks clearly about what the market wants, namely;

adequate acceleration + outstanding reliability + good fuel economy + unique/cutting edge technology + practical design (5DR hatch) = lots of sales.

Basically, the Prius is the iPod of the automotive world, the must have auto gadget.

Unless the Camry gets fuel economy close to the Prius, why would most people buy it? After all, the primary promise of the "Hybrid" brand is fuel economy and the environmental and cost benefits that brings.

The Camry hybrid could be THE taxicab of choice for the world. Lets hope that Toyota can this car right. In the city is where this technology really shines.

Btw, do you have any official sources for that press release? I can only seem to find it quoted on a forum, and it was removed from the place they link to (only available on google cache).