Geneva show: Toyota unveils RAV4, Corolla hybrid

TOYOTA has revealed its intention to stage world debuts of a facelifted RAV4 and the new Corolla hybrid at the Geneva motor show on March 2.

While a facelifted version of Toyota’s compact SUV is expected to go on sale in Australia later this year, the new-look 2010 model shown at Geneva is based on Europe’s short-wheelbase model rather than the long-wheelbase version sold in Australia and the US.

Toyota says that along with its “more sophisticated” new front-end, Europe’s 2010 RAV4 will also gain a more refined cabin, but it remains to be seen what interior and exterior changes Australia’s RAV4 will bring this year.

Left: Toyota Auris HSD.

Similarly significant is the world debut of the production-ready Corolla hybrid, to be known in Europe as the Auris HSD (Hybrid Synergy Drive).

Not yet confirmed for Australia, the Corolla/Auris HSD, which will be built at the Japanese maker’s Burnaston factory in Britain, goes on sale across Europe from mid-year, representing the next step in Toyota’s self-imposed mission to offer a full hybrid version of every model in its range “by the early 2020s”.

Rounding out Toyota’s Geneva exhibit will be European debuts of the rear FT-86 ‘Celica’ coupe and all-electric FT-EV II concepts, plus the plug-in Prius hybrid.