Specification LE Hybrid (Can) LE Hybrid (USA) SE Hybrid XLE Hybrid 1 Curb Weight kg (lbs) 1575 (3472) 1575 (3472) 1610 (3549) 1620 (3571) 2 Tire Specs 215/55R17 205/65R16 235/45R18 235/45R18 3 Tire Type Painted Alloy Steel w/ Wheel Covers Painted Alloy Machine-Finished Alloy 4 Fuel Cons. (L/100km) 4.9/4.8/4.9 4.6/4.4/4.5 5.3/5.0/5.1 5.3/5.0/5.1 5 Fuel Cons. (US mpg) 48/49/48 51/53/52 44/47/46 44/47/46 Note the differences between the Canadian and US spec LE Hybrid - one has 16" steel rims and the other has 17" alloys.
interesting that they eliminated the 17" wheels in the u.s., i wonder what the thought process was, sportier?
They likely had already decided upon the 18 inch for the high trims; cheaper to stick with the same wheel sizes in different markets. The 17 inch might have been the plan for the US LE, but the price and MPG numbers were seen has better with those 16 inch steelies. Non-alloy wheels on the base might also push some sales up a trim.
it's funny to think of camry buyers this way, especially hybrid camry. i know toyota has been trying for years to attract a younger demographic, but i'm not sure that youngsters are all that interested.
I think younger prospects will be more interested in connectivity than wheels and tires. Toyota's insistence on pushing Entune over Android/Apple may cost them the demo they're desperately trying to attract.
You guys also get heated mirrors with signal lamps on the LE, grrr. Interesting CA brochure that shows a voltage bump with the LiOn battery, something I haven't seen in the US brochure. HP is the same across the HV board but I'm wondering if the almost 6% higher voltage LiOn somehow improves efficiency besides weight savings or am I overthinking it. 2018 Camry and Camry Hybrid - Toyota Canada
Just because the voltage is higher doesn't mean the system can take advantage of it. They could have used a larger a Li-ion pack in the Prius and Camry. We know more capacity can increase efficiency from the plug ins. In addition to the cost of the larger pack, there would have been the cost of programming and validating the control CPU for the larger capacity though. Toyota chose to keep the usable capacity of both chemistries close to save those costs.
Wonder if the flooding in Texas will bring higher gas prices? The oil industry in it's wisdom has chosen a hurricane, tornado and flood plagued area to put the lion's share of it's refining capacity.
Considering how much oil comes from the Gulf...the wisdom is likely logistics and cost...in the big picture.
