Toyota Motor Thailand has officially introduced the
new Corolla Altis in the country. This 12th-generation version of Toyota’s
stalwart family sedan arrives with an all-new platform and a smattering of new
features. The Altis for the ASEAN market
essentially takes after the international Corolla Sedan, with a more
conventional and less overtly sporty design compared to the one sold
exclusively in the United States.
Contributing to the sharp look are the slim
headlights and upper grille, along with the chrome-trimmed slits that sit at
the corners of the front bumper. At the rear, you’ll find broad two-piece tail
lights joined by a chrome strip, as well as C-shaped contours in the bumper
that mirror the front slits. The wheels measure up to 17 inches, and the
top-spec two-tone design is similar (but not identical) to the pre-facelifted
outgoing model.
Replacing the bodykit-equipped ESport model is the
GR Sport, adopting the moniker used globally. While the basic design remains
the same, there’s a black front grille garnish with a thick silver strip,
giving it a look that’s reminiscent of the sportier Camry SE in the United
States. There are also silver inserts in the lower grille, black and body
colour skirts all around and a rear diffuser, plus 17-inch seven-spoke alloys.
The interior is again derived from other Corolla
models sold elsewhere, with a layered dashboard design with a freestanding head
unit. Aside from claims of improved perceived quality, Toyota has also added
new features such as a large head-up display, a seven-inch digital speedometer
display, rear air-con vents and an eight-inch infotainment touchscreen with
Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity.
Measuring 4,640 mm long, 1,780 mm wide and 1,435 mm
tall, the new Altis is 10 mm longer, five millimetres wider and 45 mm lower
than the old car. The wheelbase, on the other hand, stays the same at 2,700 mm
long, but despite this the car has migrated to the Toyota New Global
Architecture (TNGA) first seen on the new Prius, C-HR and now the new Camry.
The new Altis range consists of six variants, split
equally into petrol and Hybrid power. Pricing starts at 829,000 baht for the base 1.6 litre Limo, rising to 869,000 baht for
the 1.6G. The GR Sport is powered by a more powerful 1.8 litre engine and retails
at 999,000 baht. As for the Hybrid models, the self-explanatory Entry variant kicks
things off at 939,000 baht, while the Mid is priced at 989,000 baht. The High tops the range at 1,099,000 baht.
The 1.6 litre 1ZR-FBE four-cylinder makes 125 PS at
6,050 rpm and 156 Nm of torque at 5,200 rpm, whereas the larger 1.8 litre
2ZR-FBE produces 140 PS at 6,000 rpm and 177 Nm at 4,000 rpm; both are linked
to a CVT. The Hybrid utilises the 2ZR-FXE Atkinson-cycle version of the 1.8
litre mill that churns out 98 PS at 5,200 rpm and 142 Nm at 3,600 rpm, and is
paired to a 72 PS/122 Nm electric motor for a total of 122 PS.
As standard, you get halogen headlights, LED tail
lights, 15-inch alloys, manual fabric seats and Bluetooth, while the 1.6G and
Hybrid Entry models add 16-inch wheels, keyless entry, push-button start,
leather, auto air-con, rear air vents and reverse sensors. GR Sport and Hybrid
Mid receive auto LED headlights, an acoustic glass windscreen, a powered
driver’s seat, the eight-inch touchscreen and a reverse camera.
The Hybrid High gets the full complement of
features, including 17-inch alloys, LED fog lights, navigation, T-connect
telematics, the seven-inch digital speedo, a head-up display, a Nanoe ioniser,
a powered passenger seat and a powered rear windscreen sunshade. Safety-wise,
all models get seven airbags and stability control, with the GR Sport model
also coming with blind spot monitoring and rear cross traffic alert.
However, only the Hybrid High gets the full Toyota
Safety Sense suite of driver assists, including autonomous emergency braking,
all-speed adaptive cruise control, lane departure warning, lane keeping assist
and auto high beam. It also offers a tyre pressure monitoring system.
