LA show: Toyota unveils hybrid Corolla sedan

TOYOTA Australia has confirmed the hybrid Corolla four-door will make the boat Down Under when the new-generation small sedan arrives in showrooms about a year from now to complete the range line-up for Australia’s best-selling passenger car.

 

It will join the new Corolla hybrid hatch, Camry hybrid, three-member Prius family and upcoming RAV4 hybrid to create a seven-strong hybrid car line-up under Toyota badges in this market.

 

Australia will get the Japanese version of the Corolla sedan, with a fascia slightly different to that shown on the North American version revealed at the Los Angeles motor show overnight.

 

However, all variants of the hybrid Corolla sedan will share the same petrol-electric powertrain as the new fourth-generation Prius and hybrid Corolla hatch.

 

This updated system mates a 72kW/142Nm 1.8-litre Atkinson cycle petrol engine with two electric motors/generators (53kW/163Nm) for a combined 90kW of power through the front wheels via a planetary-gear continuously variable transmission (CVT).

 

The system retains Toyota’s trusted nickel metal hydride battery instead of the lithium-ion type used by most other manufacturers. The battery is under the rear seat to minimise encroachment on cargo space and to enhance car balance.

 

In Corolla hatch, the hybrid system is said to be good for 4.2 litres per 100km on the combined fuel consumption test cycle, although the American press release suggests the hybrid sedan gets 50 miles per gallon, which translates to 4.7l/100km.

 

Toyota Australia vice president sales and marketing Sean Hanley said Toyota was the only automotive company capable of offering such a broad choice of hybrid vehicles.

 

“Toyota is focused on expanding its hybrid range to appeal to customers who have different vehicle requirements – whether hatches, sedans and SUVs – but the same desire for solid performance with fewer visits to the petrol station,” he said.

 

“This new Corolla hybrid sedan is further evidence of Toyota's indisputable global hybrid leadership, which began more than 20 years ago,” he said.

 

The hybrid Corolla sedan can be driven for short distances on electric power, as long as the battery has sufficient charge. It also has Normal, Eco and Sport driving modes.

 

Mounted on the same new modular vehicle architecture as the latest Corolla hatch and Prius, the Corolla sedan gets an expanded list of standard safety technologies, including the latest pre-collision system, adaptive cruise control, lane keeping assist, automatic high-beam headlights and reversing camera.

 

As well as the hybrid powertrain, the Corolla sedan will also be offered in Australia with a new 2.0-litre petrol engine with both port and direct fuel injection.

 

Although Corolla sales in Australia are down 4.4 per cent this year, recording 30,350 sales to the end of October, Toyota’s top small car is headed for another victory as the number one passenger car in the nation – a title it has held for five consecutive years.

 

The arrival of Mazda’s all-new Mazda3 in 2019 to take on the all-new Corolla should set up a ding-dong battle next year.

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