Toyota Australian
division has released first details of the car that will go on sale Down Under,
including preliminary specifications and equipment.
The family hatchback will be offered with two
powertrain options, with the first being the brand new M20A-FKS 2.0 litre
Dynamic Force four-cylinder petrol engine. Naturally aspirated and fitted with
D-4S direct injection as well as VVT-iE electric variable valve timing, it
makes 168 hp and 200 Nm of torque, and is paired to a six-speed Intelligent
Manual Transmission (iMT) with automatic rev-matching as standard.
Also available is the new Direct Shift-CVT, the
world’s first continuously variable transmission with a launch gear for
improved low-speed efficiency and acceleration. It gets a 10-speed virtual
ratio mode as well as a sport mode and paddle shifters.
A hybrid variant will be available with all trim
grades for the first time, utilising an improved version of the Prius‘ 1.8
litre Atkinson-cycle petrol engine and twin electric motors. Although output
figures have yet to be released, the Prius makes 97 hp and 142 Nm from its
internal combustion engine which, combined with its 71 hp/163 Nm pair of
motors, results in a total system output of 134 hp.
The Corolla returns with the standard-fit Toyota
Safety Sense, with the second-generation system featuring a number of
improvements. The Pre-Collision System (autonomous emergency braking) can now
sense pedestrians at night, as well as cyclists (in the daytime only), while
Lane Tracing Assist provides semi-autonomous driving support on highways. Road
Sign Assist has also been added.
Other safety features include active cruise control,
lane departure alert with steering assist, automatic high beam, seven airbags
and a reversing camera. The Corolla also comes as standard with LED headlights,
an upgraded infotainment system and an electric parking brake.
Meanwhile, items such as 18-inch alloy wheels, a
navigation system with an eight-inch touchscreen, dual-zone climate control, a
eight-speaker JBL sound system, keyless entry, push-button start, a seven-inch
colour multi-information display, a colour head-up display and a Qi wireless
smartphone charger are available depending on the trim level selected.
The new Corolla Hatchback rides on the Toyota New
Global Architecture (TNGA) which already underpins the likes of the latest
Prius, the C-HR and the new Camry. Toyota claims that the new platform delivers
a low centre of gravity, improved front-to-rear weight balance and body
rigidity that has been improved by 60%.
