Toyota’s Corolla hatch now comes in a new hybrid model, focusing on fuel economy, handling, value and pricing.
Starting at just $26,990 the Corolla hybrid also boasts 4.1 litres/100km fuel consumption — that’s a theoretical driving range of almost 1,100km.
There’s a number driver-focused features on the hybrid not offered on any other Corolla in Australia, starting with the handling, stability and comfort advantages of double-wishbone rear suspension.
It is the only Corolla fitted with electronically controlled brakes, larger 296mm x 28mm ventilated front discs, three selectable drive modes (power, economy and electric) and a hybrid display in the instrument cluster.
Available in a single highly specified grade, Corolla hybrid picks up premium features from the range-topping ZR — dual-zone automatic air-conditioning, auto-levelling bi-LED headlamps, LED daytime running lamps and keyless smart entry and ignition.
Satellite navigation, SUNA live traffic updates, Toyota Link connected mobility and a colour 4.2-inch thin-film transistor multi-information display — all standard features on Corolla SX and ZR — are included in the hybrid offering.
It is the fifth hybrid car in Toyota’s local line-up, joining Camry, Prius, Prius c and Prius v and arrives just four months shy of the 50th anniversary of the launch of the first Corolla in Japan in October 1966.
Toyota Australia’s executive director sales and marketing Tony Cramb said the new Corolla is the third hybrid model introduced in a little over a year, along with the latest Camry and the fourth-generation Prius.
“Corolla hybrid offers Australian motorists all the advantages of the world’s all-time best-selling car and the world’s best-selling hybrid technology,” Mr Cramb said.
The Corolla’s Hybrid Synergy Drive system delivers combined output of 100kW from its Euro 5 certified Atkinson Cycle 1.8-litre four-cylinder petrol engine and 60kW electric motor.
Efficiency features for the petrol engine include cooled exhaust-gas recirculation, an electric water pump and a compression ratio of 13.0:1 (compared with 10.0:1 on petrol-only Corolla).
The official fuel consumption of 4.1 litres/100km compares with 6.1 litres/100km for automatic Corolla petrol hatches. This expands the theoretical maximum driving range by almost 280km to 1,097km, even with the fuel tank slimmed from 50 to 45 litres.
Around town, the official fuel economy at 3.9 litres/100km* is more than twice as good as that achieved by the already efficient automatic petrol-only variants at 8.0 litres/100km*, boosting the driving potential on a single tank to more than 1,150km.
Carbon dioxide emissions are lower by similar margins, falling to just 96 grams/km (combined), 95 grams/km (highway) and 91 grams/km (urban).
Toyota’s Hybrid Synergy Drive technology is capable of operating in petrol and electric modes alone, or a combination of both, depending on driving conditions.
The newest addition to the Corolla range retains the standard hatch’s 360 litres of luggage space with the hybrid battery placed under the rear seat.
Other standard features include seven airbags, reversing camera, stability and traction control, anti-skid brakes, 16-inch alloy wheels, black fabric upholstery and any of the eight exterior paint colours available across the Corolla range.
Corolla hybrid’s arrival follows news that Toyota has sold more than nine million hybrid vehicles globally. Prius leads the world with cumulative sales of more than 3.7 million cars while Camry is Australia’s best-selling hybrid vehicle.
Toyota is also offering the Corolla Ascent Sport with a $1,000 option that offers satellite navigation, SUNA live traffic updates and expanded Toyota Link connected mobility services.
Now in its 11th generation, Corolla sales have topped 44 million globally. It is the most successful car in Toyota’s Australian range with 1.35 million sales since it went on sale here almost half a century ago in 1967.
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Here are the full specs:
Petrol Engine
| Code | 2ZR-FXE |
| Description | In-line four-cylinder using Atkinson Cycle process, DOHC, four valves per cylinder with variable intake valve timing and cooled EGR |
| Displacement(cm3) | 1798 |
| Bore x stroke(mm) | 80.5 x 88.3mm |
| Compression ratio | 13.0:1 |
| Max. power | 73kW @ 5200rpm |
| Max. torque | 142Nm @ 4000rpm |
| Fuel system(petrol) | Electronic multipoint fuel injection with Electronic Throttle Control System |
| Fuel type | 95 RON or higher |
| Fuel tank capacity(litres) | 45 |
| Fuel economy(litres/100km) | 4.1 (combined), 3.9 (urban), 4.1 (extra urban) |
| Carbon dioxide(grams/km) | 96 (combined) |
| Emission rating | Euro 5 |
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Hybrid System
| Combined system output | 100kW |
| Type | Series/parallel, full hybrid |
| Motor generator | AC synchronous, permanent magnet |
| Max power(kW) | 60 |
| Max torque(Nm) | 207 |
| Max voltage(V) | 650 |
| High-voltage battery | Nickel-Metal Hydride (Ni-MH) |
| Nominal voltage(V) | 201.6 |
| Battery capacity(Amp. Hr) | 6.5 |
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| Driven wheels | Front |
| Transmission description | Electronically controlled Continuously Variable Transmission (E-CVT) |
| Transmission code | P410 |
| Differential gear ratio(front/rear) | 3.267:1 |
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Steering
| Type | Rack and pinion with electric power assistance |
| Turns lock to lock | 2.67 |
| Minimum turning circle – tyre (m) | 10.4 |
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Suspension
| Front | Independent, MacPherson struts with coil springs, gas dampers and stabiliser bar |
| Rear | Independent, double-wishbone, coil springs, gas dampers |
| Safety technology | Vehicle stability and traction control, electronically controlled anti-skid brakes, brake assist, electronic brake-force distribution |
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Friction Brakes
| Front | 296mm x 28mm ventilated discs |
| Rear | 259mm x 9mm solid discs |
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Wheels and Tyres
| Rims | 16 x 6.5J alloy |
| Tyres | 205/55 R16 |
| Spare | T125/70D17 (space saver) |
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Body
| Length (mm) | 4330 |
| Width (mm) | 1760 |
| Overall height (mm) | 1475 |
| Wheelbase (mm) | 2600 |
| Front track (mm) | 1525 |
| Rear track (mm) | 1525 |
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Weights
| Minimum kerb weight (kg) | 1365 |
| Gross vehicle mass (kg) | 1805 |