In about 12 months Toyota Australia will produce the country’s first locally produced hybrid car based on the Toyota Camry sedan. To celebrate, Toyota Style Australia is showing off the new HC-CV (Hybrid Camry Concept Vehicle) at the 2009 Melbourne International Auto Show.

While most concepts hint at a future production car, the HC-CV is a concept based on a recently unveiled production car – the 2010 Toyota Camry.

Of course, this 2010 Toyota Camry has been beefed up by some cosmetic changes including blue Toyota logos, satin chrome on the front grille, mirrors and rear-boot lid and a pearl white body. Inside, Toyota added metallic blue highlights with Toyota’s Hybrid Synergy Drive logo on the leather seats.

Check out the full high-res gallery after the jump.

Toyota HC-CV:

The 2010 Toyota Camry recently made its debut at the 2009 Detroit Motor Show and will be arriving in showrooms next month. Cosmetically there haven’t been many changes besides a new front grill, a new front bumper and enlarged lower intakes. Also, the SE grade now produces 21 more horsepower than the previous 4-cylinder version for a total of 179-hp.

Prices start at $20,115 for the base Camry with a 6-speed manual and go all the way up to $29,765 for the XLE with a 6-speed automatic. The 2010 Camry Hybrid starts at $26,870. Overall pricing has jumped by $281 or 1.2 percent.

Follow the jump for the press release.

Press Release:

Toyota Announces Prices for 2010 Camry

TORRANCE, Calif., Toyota Motor Sales (TMS), U.S.A., Inc., announced manufacturer’s suggested retail price (MSRP) today for the 2010 Camry midsize sedan. As the best-selling passenger car in America for seven years running and 11 of the past 12 years, Camry continues to redefine standards for comfort and performance.

Camry’s base MSRP will range from $19,395 for the Camry sedan with a new six-speed manual transmission to $29,045 for the stylish XLE with a six-speed automatic transmission. The high mileage, low emissions Camry Hybrid carries a price of $26,150. The MSRP represent an overall increase of $281 or 1.2 percent. The 2010 Camry will begin arriving at Toyota dealers in March 2009.

CAMRY

The 2010 Camry standard, LE and XLE grades feature a new 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine equipped with variable valve timing with intelligence (VVT-i) producing 169 horsepower. The new engine can be combined with a six-speed manual transmission (excluding XLE) or a six-speed automatic transmission with sequential shift. For sporty performance, the SE grade gets additional tuning and 179 horsepower, 21 more than the previous four-cylinder engine.

Fuel economy is improved as well with EPA fuel economy estimates of 33 mpg highway, 22 mpg city and 26 mpg combined for the 2.5-liter four cylinder engine with the six-speed manual transmission.

A powerful 3.5-liter V6 delivering 268 horsepower and paired with a six -speed automatic transmission will continue to be available on the LE, SE and XLE grades. The 3.5-liter DOHC six-cylinder engine with dual VVT-i has EPA mpg estimates of 28 mpg highway, 19 mpg city and 23 mpg combined.

Exterior changes to the gas model Camry include a newly designed grille and front bumper, an enlarged lower intake, larger projector headlamps and restyled tail lamps. The Camry and LE grades feature restyled standard wheel covers. The XLE grade will run on new 16-inch, 10-spoke alloy wheels, while the SE grade adds new 17-inch sporty alloy wheels.

Inside, Camry and LE grades are available with an optional audio system equipped with a new USB port for auxiliary music sources, Bluetooth(R), integrated satellite radio, single-CD, and MP3 and Bluetooth(R) streaming music capability. Previously an option, all Camry gas models will now be equipped with Vehicle Stability Control with traction control. Auto up/down power windows with jam protection on all four doors is standard equipment.

The Camry Standard grade will carry a base MSRP of $19,395 for the manual transmission, while the automatic will be $20,445. The Camry LE base MSRP will range from $20,850 for the four-cylinder engine with manual transmission to $24,565 for the V6 model. The base MSRP for the Camry SE will range from $22,165 for four-cylinder models equipped with the manual transmission to $25,840 for the V6 model. The Camry XLE will carry a base MSRP of $29,045.

CAMRY HYBRID

The Camry Hybrid, equipped with Toyota’s industry-leading Hybrid Synergy Drive and certified as an Advanced Technology Partial Zero Emissions Vehicle (AT-PZEV) has EPA fuel economy estimates of 34 mpg highway, 33 mpg city and 34 mpg combined.

The Camry Hybrid exterior enhancements will include a unique hybrid grille, a distinct front bumper, a wider lower intake, restyled fog lights and 16-inch alloy wheels. Camry Hybrid adds an enhanced meter cluster and Fraichir cloth seating surfaces, a combination of silk protein and synthetic fiber, which are gentle to the skin.

MSRPs do not include a delivery, processing, and handling (DPH) fee of $720. DPH fee for vehicles distributed by Southeast Toyota (SET) and Gulf States Toyota (GST) may vary.

So FoMoCo is pretty proud of its 2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid – and they definitely should be with an EPA fuel-economy rating of 41/36 mpg (city/highway). Ford says that the 2010 Fusion Hybrid is America’s most fuel-efficient mid-sized car beating out the Toyota Camry. Well, Toyota disagrees.

Writing over at Toyota’s Open Road Blog, editor Jon F. Thompson says that Toyota disagrees with the definition of a midsize car.

“The folks at Ford are pleased that their Fusion hybrid, rated at 41 mpg/city, has better EPA fuel economy estimates than our Camry Hybrid, which is EPA-rated at 33 mpg/city. We point out that while that”s true, the Camry is bigger than the Fusion,” writes Thompson.

Thompson says that a more appropriate comparison would be the 2010 Toyota Prius which is also classified as a midsize car with a fuel-economy rating of 50 mpg.

Nonetheless, Thompson points out that the mpg wars are good for everyone.

“When mpg numbers are generally on the rise and when other manufacturers compete with us on the basis of fuel-efficiency, their efficiency apple against ours, that”s the kind of comparison that we like. No matter which vehicle is incrementally better than another, it”s a comparison that”s good for everyone.”

Your thoughts? Let us know in the comments section below.

2010 Ford Fuison Hybrid:

2010 Toyota Prius:

Source: Toyota Open Road Blog

The 2010 Toyota Camry is on display today at the 2009 Detroit Auto Show. The 2010 Camry now comes with a couple of exterior changes including a new grille and front bumper, an enlarged lower intake, larger projector headlamps and restyled tail lamps. The Camry and LE trim-levels now feature restyled standard wheel covers while the XLE trim-level features new 16-inch 10-spoke alloy wheels, while the SE grade adds new 17-inch sporty alloy wheels. The 2010 Camry Hybrid gets a unique hybrid grille, a distinct front bumper, a wider lower intake, restyled fog lights and 16-inch alloy wheels.

The entry-level 2010 Camry, LE and XLE grades are powered by a 2.5L 4-cylinder engine that produces a total of 169-hp. Moving up a notch you can opt for a 179-hp 4-cylinder – 21-hp more than the outgoing model. The range-topping 2010 Camry will carry the 3.5L V6 making a total of 268-hp. All models are mated to a 6-speed manual transmission or a 6-speed automatic with sequential shift.

Inside, Camry and LE grades are available with an optional audio system equipped with USB port for AUX sources, single-CD with MP3 streaming capability, satellite radio and navigation and Bluetooth connectivity.

Pricing for the 2010 Toyota Camry will be announced closer to its March launch date.

Make the jump for more high-res images.

2010 Toyota Camry: