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GREENVILLE, S.C. — It’s not that earlier Camrys were dull, but when Toyota surveyed its customers, they said they loved their car but thought it was “vanilla,” “bread and butter” and, worst of all, “Dad’s car.”

Young people certainly don’t want to buy “Dad’s car,” so a change was in order.

A few hours behind the wheel of some early production models on public roads and around Michelin’s proving-ground track revealed that the redesigned Camry has moved from vanilla to mocha cappuccino. A few sips get your juices flowing like with no Camry before, yet the new model doesn’t sacrifice any of the traditional values that have made this such a popular car.

Ed LaRocque, national car market planning manager, said owners’ comments got Toyota’s attention when it was time to redesign the Camry for 2007. The Camry has been the best-selling sedan in America for eight out of the last nine years, including the last four in a row. So it’s not like owners don’t like their cars. They just want something more exciting.

LaRocque said the new car, which goes on sale in March, is an example of what a Camry can be rather than what it should be. The distinction may seem small, but one look will tell you that this is a car with more excitement than before. Prices have not been announced.

The styling is bold yet subtle. I know that sounds like a contradiction, but it is bold because it looks aggressive, sporty and young. The subtleties can be found in the faint creases that descend from the hood down through the front bumper fascia, and likewise in back. Another neat touch is the way the body’s side crease ends in a triangular indentation on the fender behind the front wheel. The slight trunk bustle, vaguely reminiscent of BMW’s trunk, adds visual interest and no doubt aids streamlining to some degree.

There are five models, including, for the first time, a hybrid. Engine choices include a 2.4-liter four-cylinder with 158 horsepower, and a 268-horsepower V-6. The Hybrid’s combination of gas and electric power culminates in 192 horsepower.

Even though the Camry is a midsize car, it has plenty of room inside. The wheelbase has grown by 2 inches, width is up by 1 inch, and there’s more rear-seat legroom.

Of all three powertrains, the Hybrid’s is very impressive, but the Hybrid won’t go on sale until summer, and then in somewhat limited numbers. The seamless integration of the 2.4-liter gasoline engine, continuously variable transmission and a smaller, more powerful electric drive motor yields brisk acceleration, yet the Environmental Protection Agency estimates city fuel economy to be 43 miles per gallon. Real-life mileage isn’t likely to be that good, but it will still be excellent for a midsize sedan.

The Hybrid isn’t just a high-mileage cruiser. It felt almost as agile as the sporty SE when driven hard on Michelin’s twisty track.

Toyota expects the four-cylinder LE to account for about 60 percent of sales. The SE is the best performer and the XLE is the most luxurious.

The V-6 SE is the strongest performer. Bigger wheels and a tighter suspension let the car corner flatly and feel secure even at track speeds. Lower body spoilers are the tip-off that this is not your average grocery getter.

As with earlier models, the Camry’s cabin is as quiet as a schoolhouse at 6 p.m., but the instrument panel looks lively. There’s brushed silver on the console and center stack, electro-luminescent gauges and nicely contoured seats.

A wide range of options are available, including a JBL premium audio system with eight speakers and a new navigation system with a 7-inch LCD screen. Hands-off Bluetooth telephone integration is also offered.

Anti-lock brakes and side-impact and side-curtain airbags are standard. Vehicle stability control is standard on the Hybrid and optional on other models.

I’ll have a more detailed test drive once production models are on sale.

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Warranty: Three years or 36,000 miles. Eight years and 100,000 miles for the Hybrid.

Engine: 2.4-liter, 158-hp 4-cyl. 3.5-liter, 268-hp V-6 2.4-liter, 192-hp gas/electric

Transmission: Manual or Automatic Front-wheel drive

Wheelbase: 109.3 inches

Curb weight: 3,285 lbs.

Mpg rating: 25 city, 34 hwy. (4-cyl.) 22 city, 31 hwy. (V-6) 43 city, 37 hwy. (Hybrid)

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Tom Strongman’s e-mail address is tstrongman@kc.rr.com.