Ostensibly a facelift of the current seventh-generation model, this new “mark two” Camry is anything but a facelift, with 20per cent of its components new and only the roof panel and glass shared with the outgoing model.

It is slightly bigger, has higher safety and equipment levels and a greater model range than the car it will replace, not to mention substantially lower pricing with between $2000 and $5000 pulled from the cost.

Pricing for the entry-level Altise model will start at $26,490 – $4000 below that of the car it will replace and the cheapest Camry sold here in 13 years. It costs just $90 more than the equivalent car did in 1997.

When the new model starts rolling into showrooms this week it will do so in a seven-strong range that includes four petrol-engined and three hybrid variants spanning a price range between the entry-point Altise $26,490 and the range-topping Atara SL Hybrid at $40,440.

Toyota Australia has also added a globally unique variant, the sporty Atara SX, developed by a local team.

The new addition gets the same 135kilowatt, 2.5litre, four-cylinder engine as the regular cars but adds bigger 18-inch diameter wheels with low-profile tyres, faster steering, revised suspension with new springs, shock absorbers and stabiliser bars.

Introducing the car, Toyota’s executive director of sales and marketing, Tony Cramb, described it as ‘‘the best Camry we have ever built’’ with ‘‘a massive redesign from bumper to bumper’’.

‘‘For the metal, it’s the best value car you can buy today,’’ Mr Cramb said.