Toyota CNG Camry Hybrid Concept Revealed Prior to L.A. Debut

Hearing any news from Toyota these days inevitably sounds like a taunt to the Big 3. It's not their fault, really. They're getting pummeled in sales too but they're not in jeopardy of imminent collapse and still have plenty of revenue streaming in and cash on hand to weather the storm.

So while the US automakers are drowning and begging for cash just to meet their payrolls, Toyota is rolling out its latest in hybrid technology: a natural gas hybrid.

The CNG Camry Hybrid is a concept car but it does provide some interesting numbers. With the natural gas equivalent of about 8 gallons of gasoline, the CNG Camry Hybrid gets a range of about 250 miles (or 400 km). That's an impressive pocketbook stat. It also emits lower levels of harmful emissions like NO-x, CO, CO2 gases as well as polluting particle matter.

But the car requires natural gas tanks, which must be cylindrical, in the spare-tire well and therefore come with runflat tires. Natural gas is also less dense, hence, less powerful, than gasoline or diesel fuel.

It's only a concept and there are no plans for production.

The CNG Camry Hybrid goes on display at the Los Angeles Auto Show on Wednesday.

Press Release

Toyota Displays Hybrid Synergy Drive(R) Versatility With CNG-Powered Camry Hybrid Concept at 2008 Los Angeles Auto Show

Toyota Motor Sales (TMS), U.S.A., Inc., today highlighted the versatility of its Hybrid Synergy Drive(R) system by showing a compressed natural gas (CNG) Camry Hybrid concept vehicle at the 2008 Los Angeles Auto Show.

"In the near future, growing demand for liquid petroleum simply and effectively will exceed supply," said Chris Hostetter, group vice president, TMS Advanced Product Strategy. "Before that occurs, automakers must look to vehicles powered by alternative fuels. We believe CNG will be one of those alternatives."

The current CNG benefits are amplified by rapidly changing market conditions and an increase in consumer environmental awareness. As a transport fuel, natural gas is a clean and safe gasoline alternative. It can potentially reduce U.S. dependency on foreign oil and reduce vehicle operating costs. Currently more than 99 percent of natural gas used in the U.S. comes from domestic & other North American sources. Proven worldwide natural gas reserves are estimated to last until 2100 and have the potential to last until 2200 through improved advanced production methods.

Natural gas also produces lower particulate emissions, nitrous oxide (NOx), carbon monoxide (CO), carbon dioxide (CO2) and non-methane organic gases (NMOG), and less CO2 per unit of energy when compared with gasoline. In addition, it has a higher flash point (ignition temperature) than gasoline, can run at a higher compression ratio and is quickly dispersed into the atmosphere, should a leak occur.

The CNG Camry Hybrid concept was designed by the TMS Advanced Product Strategy group and built by Metal Crafters of Fountain Valley, Calif. To convert the stock Camry Hybrid to a CNG vehicle, the gasoline fuel system was replaced with a CNG system including two CNG tanks installed in the spare tire well area.

The exterior of the vehicle also received some sporty 'concept' touches. A sleek custom front fascia and front bumper cover eliminate the grill opening, while a custom rear bumper covers the tail pipe and visible exhaust system. The vehicle is fitted with 19 x 7.5 alloy wheels and Bridgestone Potenza 225/35ZR19 run-flat tires to accommodate the lack of a spare tire. The overall ride height is lowered while new side body skirts and "Compressed Natural Gas Hybrid" graphics complete the unique look.

In 1999, Toyota marketed a CNG-powered four-cylinder Camry to fleet customers in California. Due to relatively low gasoline costs at that time, customers were not attracted to a vehicle that required special refueling techniques and a limited refueling infrastructure. The program was discontinued a year later. Today there are less than 1,000 CNG refueling stations nationwide, with less than half open to the public.

"Toyota believes CNG has huge potential, both in the U.S. and globally," said Hostetter, "but CNG is just one of the many alternative fuels we're exploring in our ongoing advanced technology research and development."

TOYOTA CNG CAMRY HYBRID CONCEPT PRELIMINARY SPECIFICATIONS

POWERTRAIN
2.4 liter, 4-cylinder engine with Toyota Hybrid Synergy Drive(R) Gasoline fuel system replaced with CNG system

ESTIMATED FUEL ECONOMY (mpg)
City/Highway/Combined = 32/34/33 (Gasoline Camry Hybrid = 33/34/34)

NET HORSEPOWER
(Engine + Electric Motor + Generator + Power Storage) 170 hp

CNG SYSTEM
-- Two (2) Lincoln composite Type 4 tanks
-- plastic liner with carbon fiber wrapped exterior
-- Tanks installed in spare tire well area
-- Maximum 3,600 psi

CAPACITY
Proposed 8 gallon gasoline equivalent RANGE 250+ miles

DIMENSIONS (inches)
Overall Length: 191.2
Overall Width: 71.7
Overall Height: 57.5
Wheelbase: 109.3
Wheel Size: 19 x 7.5 alloy wheels