Corolla goes hybrid-only
Internal combustion engine-only models are out and SUVs are in for the New Zealand Toyota Corolla lineup, writes Damien O’Carroll.
Toyota New Zealand has announced two major changes to the local range of the most popular car in the world – the Corolla.
Firstly, it will be getting an SUV variant when the compact Corolla Cross lands here this year and, secondly, the entire range will be electrified. Toyota NZ has dropped all petrol-only versions of the standard Corolla.
The Corolla Cross compact SUV will slip into Toyota’s range above the Yaris Cross and under the RAV4. The Corolla variant will use a version of the latter’s hybrid drivetrain.
As such, the Corolla Cross will be available in front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive and sits on Toyota’s TNGA-C platform, which is the compact version of the company’s architecture also used by the Corolla, C-HR and Prius.
It is powered by a 2.0-litre petrol engine matched to a fifthgeneration hybrid electric system and, like the RAV4, the AWD versions pack two electric motors, with the second motor sitting on the rear axle without affecting the space available in the rear.
‘‘For more than 50 years, Toyota and Corolla have been synonymous with practical dependability, fuel efficiency, safety, and value,’’ says Toyota NZ general manager of sales, Steve Prangnell.
‘‘The all-new Corolla Cross builds on that foundation and offers even more versatility and creature comforts to make everything, from a daily commute to a weekend escape, more memorable.’’
While confirming the addition of the Corolla Cross to the local Corolla range, Prangnell says further details on the powertrain specifications and features will be provided closer to its launch later this year.
Meanwhile, the addition ofthe Cross variant to the lineup will also see Toyota NZ drop all ICE-only models across the mainstream Corolla hatch, sedan and wagon range, switching to an entirely hybrid model range, as it has previously done with the Camry.
Of course, this won’t include the hot GR Corolla that will land here next year with its 224kW/370Nm 1.6-litre turbo, three-cylinder engine and no electrification in sight.
Prangnell says the decision to no longer offer a petrol-only engine in the standard Corolla range is driven by strong consumer preference for hybrid-electric powertrains and Toyota’s objective to reduce the carbon footprint of their new vehicle sales in New Zealand.
‘‘For some time now, Toyota’s hybrid-electric powertrain has been the most popular choice across not just the Corolla range, but passenger cars generally,’’ Prangnell says.
‘‘We have reached the tipping point of customer sentiment towards hybrid-electric options, and Toyota’s customer focus is reflected by this change.
‘‘We are also committed to reducing the carbon emissions of our new vehicle product range and are on track to exceed the Government’s 2023 Clean Car Standard target for Toyota and Lexus.
Prangnell says that with so many Toyota models now available with the company’s hybrid technology, they have become the mainstream choice as the cost of buying a new hybrid-electric Toyota compared to a petrol-only vehicle has basically been eliminated.
‘‘For buyers of electrified Toyotas, there is a very small premium to recover the development and additional materials costs, however, the Clean Car rebate is helpful in reducing that premium, especially for our hybrid-electric vehicles.’’
Toyota NZ says that by the end of this year all Corollas sold new in New Zealand will be hybrids, including the Corolla wagon that is popular with businesses and corporate fleets.