Toyota expands hybrid range
Corolla and RAV4 range get a boost
If you’re still grappling with the idea of hybrid vehicles, now is the time to adapt because that’s where things are going. Toyota is intent on making the migration over to sustainable energy vehicles, having pioneered the technology with its Prius back in 1997.
In recent years, the RAV4, Corolla sedan and Corolla Cross were recipients of hybridisation. Last week Toyota added another hybrid to the Corolla range, based on the hatchback body, while a plug-in hybrid version of the RAV4 is under consideration.
We sampled both.
Firstly, let’s start on the outside before we chat about the internals. The facelifted Toyota Corolla hatchback is a head-turner, especially when specified in a two-tone colour combination.
It’s interesting to see how the Corolla nameplate has evolved over the decades, from a functional and reliable family car found in every other yard, to a vehicle that is able to participate in an aesthetics contest. It’s a well-designed vehicle from front to rear, with its sharp boomeranglike LED headlamps and taillights and sculptured body lines.
Beneath the charming appearance is a 1.8-litre engine in the hybrid variant, while the none-hybrid makes use of a 2.0-litre variant. The hybrid works in conjunction with an electric motor, and the vehicle alternates between the two as and when required.
When pulling off with a steady right foot the electric motor is at work and will remain on duty for as long as possible, until you reach a certain speed or require the oomph of the internal combustion engine. Driving the hatch around town, with hills, stop streets and traffic lights, we managed to achieve an average consumption of 3.9l/100km.
Which proves that you will make some considerable fuel savings. Battery power is recouped as you drive, and the Corolla displays which of the two power sources is in use and the amount of battery you have remaining as you drive.
For the first time local soil, Toyota could offer the plug-in hybrid version of the RAV4. The main difference between this hybrid system and the one in the Corolla is that with plug-in hybrids, you have a greater range from the battery cell, and you can do a full trip solely on electric energy.
Toyota will be using these models for customer response, testing the waters. The units will also be used to educate customers on hybrid technology, as well as for research gathering purposes for the brand regarding charging infrastructure and the viability of hybrids in the country.
It runs on a 2.5-litre petrol engine, a larger battery and two electric motors, one on each axle.
The battery offers an 18.1kWh capacity. The internal combustion engine produces 136kW and 227Nm.
In electric mode the RAV4 promises a range of up to 80km, enough to cover most people’s daily commute.
Should there not be a charging station nearby, simply slip the vehicle into charging mode, and it will use the petrol engine to recouperate energy.
It will be available with a wall socket charging cable, as well as a charging cable compatible with most charging stations.
There is no indication on the pricing yet, but you can expect to pay a starting price of R490,900 for the Corolla Hatch 1.8 Xs in hybrid form.