In a surprising move, Toyota has just introduced the Camry ESport to the Thailand market. Instead of being a bodykitted version of the standard Camry though – like Corolla Altis ESport Nurburgring Edition – this sportier variant gets a completely different look to the rest of the range.
By different, we really mean different. The new ESport model matches the look of the American– and Australian-market Toyota Camry, with unique body panels all around. And yes, that includes the doors too.
It’s a far curvier look, with an aggressive gaping grille up front that’s befitting of a sports-oriented model. Twin tailpipes and a prominent bootlid spoiler adorn the rear end, which again, bears little to no resemblance to the Camrys that we are familiar with.
Inside, it’s all different too, as the entire dashboard is exclusive to the ESport model. Gone are the faux-wood trim panels, replaced by a sportier treatment that includes aluminium-like silver panels. Weirdly enough, though, it retains the older air-con dials instead of the newer button-type controls introduced in our latest facelifted Camry.
The steering wheel is a three-spoke affair – the same as the rest of the Thai-market Camrys – while the foot pedals now have alloy highlights. The rest of the cabin matches that of the Australian Camry, down to the front sports seats with maroon-ish side bolsters.
Believe it or not, there are changes under the skin too. The 2.5 litre engine option has been tuned up to make 185 hp and 235 Nm of torque, compared to the standard 2.5’s 181 hp and 231 Nm. The six-speed auto’box now has paddle shifters, and even the suspension has been beefed up to fit the overall theme.
As far as makeovers go, this is as extensive as it gets. In Thailand, the Toyota Camry ESport is priced at 1,639,000 baht (RM182,000), a significant premium over the 1,569,000 baht (RM174,000) standard Camry 2.5G. So what do you think, folks – would you want UMW Toyota to offer this option in Malaysia?
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I thought its power gonna increase like the honda did,
2.4 odyssey 170hp to 2.4 absolute 200hp, whopping 30hp increase… not only 3-4hp ;(
its just the bodykits,
Tau takpe. This is scam sporty syok sendiri variant – Camry SSSV
LOL
Toyota please close shop, nobody wants overpriced cars here, even Honda can do better
Now Sam Loo (ori1) and Same Lorrrr have ZERO sales. They spend their time masturbating at home.
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comment win…!!!
So where are p1 bashers?
They dun want to blame p1 for the exhorbitant prices?
Come on blame p1 everywhere, including in Thai! LOLj
Do yourself a favour. Tell 10 friends what a fraud UMW has been and tell the 10 friends to tell another 10 friends and so on.
I myself have told friends what a fraud UMW is and in total 5 friends have seen the light and realized, for RM150k, a car with only 2 airbags and no VSC is a lemon deal
Oh no UMW will try to markup the price more…
Please don’t even launch in Malaysia, even it look angry or expensive.
Lousy UMW !!!
UMW has been cheating Malaysians for 30 years. VSC is compulsory in Europe but in Malaysia, purposely taken out to kill more Malaysians to untung lebih.
expensive..need extra money for full safety spec… a recipe for low sales number.
Now, you can go to mudah and see for yourself. 2013 Accident free Altis 1.8 (not 1.6) low mileage being sold for RM68k. After bargaining, seller said he even would let go for RM63.
Wow! New Car RM139k. Just hardly 1 year 10 months old, can buy for RM63k.
Yes, Sam Loo has been Lying about RV all these years. Toyota RV is even worse than kimchi!!!
Overseas, Camry has reverse camera as standard. Tyre Pressure Monitoring System as Standard. And many many more.
Malaysia, VSC pun tak ada.
Totally agree.
Don’t even step into a UMW Toyota showroom.
Go straight into a KIA for K5 and Hyundai Sime Darby for Sonata or Elantra.
Strongly encourage all sorhai tai lan ngongs to buy these cars new
Camry with Scirocco-inspired front bumper? lolx
Toyota SAs are busy thumbing down wiwiwiwiw comment, sales so bad huh? LOLOL
Now UMW salesman no choice. Have to supplement their income selling bra and panties. This what happens when you play dirty the past few years bad mouth other brands and lie about RV
I am so sad with ZERO sales. I am going to depression. I feel like so many people have bukake on my face.
Drifting, the only thing toyota did great..
Maybe so, but not with this bathtub.
nice facelift. earlier buyer surely headbutt..
Well done, Sonata rear headlamps on a sushi!
Sam loo will be proud
What to do, tak laku ma. After this sell bra and panties in Parkson lor
Camry ESport = For boring AhPek uncle trying hard to look cool and modern.
Why? He is only a talk coxk sales man.
Sam would only be proud if all you sorhai tai lan ngongs head down to the KIA showroom & get yourself a K5 or a Hyundai showroom for Elantra and/or Sonata.
Need to prime the used car market 12 months on, new kimchi sales have nosedived since GST
If this ever comes to Malaysia, it would be the second facelift. Even with the first facelift, I see more Camry XV40 compared to Camry XV50. I mean you could count how many XV50’s are on the roads.
well, the first facelift was only 2 months back, and the market is a little slow now… so not surprise to see less car on the road.
It is a very rare sight to see a facelift 2.0G, mostly are hybrids.
Yes front is nice, but the interior is plain. The back is just a previous sonata.
keep this for Thailand.
Malaysia Camry 2.5Hybrid is luxury and classy.
The rear really ugly.
I like our version better.
This one looks too American.
Besides, the target market is uncle. And younger buyers won’t touch camry, neither many could afford.
Having said that. I am not surprise this will be the 2.5G version if the hybrid stops production.
4 more hp and torque? FOUR?!? That’s an increase of 2%. Wow.
I would buy this.
Honestly the Camry Hybrid got tons of pros, but one of the big cons is the reduced boot size due to the battery location.
Whereas for the pre-facelift 2.5V, sorry that design is a joke really.
Pls consider buying the new Sonata, K5 for D segment
Get the Elantra if you intend to get a C Segment
Hah it has that lexus spindle grill look, or at least attempts to look like it
When it arrive in Msia, it sure to cost above RM200k… at this price one would prefer to buy a BM, Merc or Volvo…
I am still very happy with my 2009 2.4V Camry.
And in terms of RV, still can sell for around RM85k after 6 years
I thought you have 3 Lexus at home……hahahahhaha…
By looking at current toyota Camry sales, it is clear that cambry no longer the best selling D segment sedan. Hencce, UMW have to bring in this Esport, which is more agressive in look, to gain back market share.
Woah. I don’t think many are aware of what this latest move by Toyota Motor Thailand (TMT) implies.
For the last few generations, the ASEAN market got their own Camry, different from the North American ones. In some countries, you can get both the ASEAN and North American market Camry models, like Australia and the GCC countries. The Europeans on the other hand got the Avensis. Honda has a similar marketing strategy with their Accord / Accord Euro. The whole idea behind having unique models of the same nameplate/platform for each region is localisation and meeting consumer tastes.
So why did TMT introduce the North American/ Australian-market Camry ? My guess is exclusivity within the Camry nameplate and not much else. If I’m not mistaken, TMT must be importing the Camry ESport from Toyota’s Australian plant (and not North America). From some searching, I found that, apparently, all ESport models are built by TMT, so maybe the Camry ESport is a CKD import instead ? It’s not economically viable for TMT to build a full body-stamping assembling line for a low-volume model like this Camry ESport, but who knows. Australia and Thailand have recently signed a FTA, so two-way CBU imports between both countries are no hassle. I’d say this is a smart move on TMT’s side, it will help them sell more Camrys for sure.
However, I HIGHLY DOUBT that UMW Toyota will make a similar move because Malaysia and Australia have yet to sign a FTA which removes all import taxes on cars. However, if it’s true that TMT is assembling this version of the Camry, then maybe UMW Toyota could bring it in from Thailand instead of Australia, the ASEAN CEPT tax is far, FAR lower. Under RM200k should be possible. With their flagging sales, I think UMW Toyota needs as many new models as they can, especially the (Euro/Australian-market, not the disgusting Vios-based ASEAN-market) Yaris (to challenge the Jazz).
for the love of god, i hope you are wrong about UMW not making similar move— just imagine : no more eye sore with the current Camry on the road, that is a good and wishful thought for many, I think
Unlike Vios and Altis, Camry’s sold here in Malaysia, is really out of tune with the new design language which is not bad @Vios & Altis, NOW this Camry looks appealing: almost hints of Lexus
I did hear the the Camry plant in Australia wont be there for long. It is schedule to close down.
Still,the Aussies may still wants their Camry…
So maybe this is Thailand’s proactiveness in sniffing out the opportunity and start building different variant of Camry. They truly are planning to be the production hub of the world.
I have never seen a market being served 2 variants of the same model before.
Looking back at our market is really sad. Don’t talk about the look, even our Camry Hybrid model is underspec compared to the thai, despite being duty free.
Now the d segment dominated by the beloved accord from alor gajah melaka. Unless u slash ur price to 150k
wtf! 4hp and 4nm call tuning? lousy cheat money
Knowing UMW, when this camry ever comes to Malaysia……everything reduced, removed and downgraded to almost nothing….
However, the price will be increased, no doubt.
If UMW is “generous”, they will throw in TRD or SPORTIVO stickers for free with the car…
At this rate and business conduct by UMW, they will tutup kedai soon….
This is the Australian version of Camry, not a second facelift.. Thinks our facelift looks more elegant and executive. This one just look sporty…
The most beautiful and timeless Camry to date is the 2010 2.4V, its taillamps design really sexy and fashionable;nothing compares..
Still ah pek car
The most entertaining moment of a used kimchi trader is the moment when I show the sorhais the Hilux
I’m sold although prefer heart with turbocharger but this is great work Toyota but sadly I’m not in the market for atleast 2-3 yrs. huh!
Sporty mid size sedan and people will look for BMW 3 series or Lexus IS.
Niche buyers go for Subaru Legacy or Accord Euro via grey skies.
yeah?
When looking on the Steering Wheel, I thought it was from a cheaper variant of vios or…. the avanza? no class for a car over rm150k.
How many months can last longer with this facelift…??
Look like kapal layar and probably move like one too. Appeal to samloo types only, if RV stays on the sane side.
I would definitely love this model to be in Malaysia with Hybrid option…
The recently launched Camry Hybrid seems popular right now. Can see many units on the road. But if it has this variant looks, I will definitely get one!
At least this Esport rear light not so Ah Beng like the current Hybrid & 2.0G too square. Still no to me…
UMW is GLC. impossible to close shop. got money from asn asb asw some more.
This variant is the one for North America and Australia.
The standard Camry is Malaysia, Taiwan, China, Thailand and Singapore is the Australian Aurion but comes with the 2.5V Specs and tranny
I sold 300 camry hybrid by myself in just 3 months. My Altis in hand another 77 units. Dont be jeoulous.
WOW!!! 4ps and 4Nm increase!!!
yawn…..
TBH I would actually consider this if UMW pushes this out, provided that specs and trim levels are retained and not ripped off.
Having seen one in metal before, I have to admit that the American/Australian model looks rather good (first for a Camry, in fact). And the fact that it comes with a relatively new powertrain + Toyota’s renowned comfort levels, this would be great D-segment in my honest opinion.
Cons: interior feels a bit dated, doesn’t drive as well as competitors. But if you want a comfortable D-segment to ferry your wife and kids around, this would be a sensible choice apart from the 2.5 hybrid.
Our CKD camry is not like the Japan Camry la. If Japan 5 stars, here, it will be 3 stars.
UMW use cheap besi. The crumple zone is so bad. This is expected. If they can take VSC out and all other safety features out, you can see how dishonest they are.
Later proton also will consider this as accordana replacement..hahaha
Now everybody boikot Toyota because it is out in the open that UMW salesman come here and lie and lie and lie. They lie so much about RV and they lie so much about Korean cars.
Now, boomerang effect. Toyota sales are NEAR ZERO
Sam encourages all to but a new kimchi.
More specifically, Sonata, Elantra or the K5.
For the rest, they can no longer be traded in
Toyota Camry Sports, now that’s what I call an Oxymoron just like a poor politician.
the writer’s title is very misleading esp on the ‘more power’ part.
i was expecting 20-30hp increase but the increase can easily be achieved by installing an aftermarket air filter which cost less than rm200.
what worst is that we cant even feel the different.
Another 2 sorhais came in with Elantra 2013 & 2012 models.
Sam rejected them up front coz there is no longer any market for Elantra > 18 months old
Duno y so many ppl bashing toyota. Haha..
U monkeys should try out the new camry first before u talk with your cxxx at ur head.
The camry makes Korean cars feel like they are engineered by engineers who graduated frm monkey universities.
When a kimchi owner realises that the rotten cabbage they bought will be worth RM100k less within a year, what would their natural reaction be?
Off course they will belittle the car with the highest resale value in that segment
That is why I keep on encouraging all you guys to buy Elantra for C-Segment, K5 and Sonata for D-Segment. Need a steady supply of used kimchis 12 months later
Stay away from Toyota and Honda showrooms.
all good cars. I’m always surprised people get so defensive and hateful on car brands or makes. Dumb. Buy what you like or works for you & within your capability.
i don’t like the current camry model. it’s just being too square and it’s lost to accord. I can’t wait for the car to arrive. It’s one of the top mid size car in the US market and it’s speak itself. !! But then, let wait for the spec and hopeful UMW will be generous and keep in with the US spec