Toyota has confirmed the arrival of the world’s first Corolla hybrid which will go on sale here next February. It will be the fourth model in the 2019 Toyota self-charging hybrid line-up.
The Corolla has been renowned as the world’s best-selling car, with more than 45 million sold worldwide since its introduction in 1966. Now, the first Corolla hybrid will be charged with a 1.8 hybrid powertrain and it will carry a more modern and stylised aesthetic. The Japanese carmaker says this will reflect the ‘fun-to-drive’ philosophy that is integral to the Toyota’s New Global Architecture (TNGA ) system and the new game-changing hybrid generation.
As part of the new generation of self-charging hybrids arriving in early 2019, which I’ve written about here previously, Toyota says the Corolla is a unique offering in its segment. It adds that the combination of sleek styling, efficient and engaging hybrid driving dynamics makes for an outstanding package. In the past, the Corolla had been a firm favourite with Irish drivers, and globally one of the most recognised model names, so Toyota Ireland is expecting demand will be high.
It will also be available with a 1.6 petrol engine, but Toyota Ireland predicts that 90 per cent of saloon sales in 2019 will be hybrid.
Toyota also tells us the Auris is set to join the popular Corolla family, under the new name Corolla hatchback, and will sit alongside the extended Corolla range that now includes the saloon and touring sports.
There seems to be a clear strategy to use the power of big global brand names, like the Camry, which is the best-selling car in the US in 2018, and now the Corolla, which is the world’s best-selling global car, to complement TNGA, which Toyota says will add new dimensions of styling, driving dynamics and performance.
All three Corolla body types will benefit from the latest hybrid technology. The first public appearance of the extended Corolla range will be the Corolla touring sports model at the Paris Motor Show in October.
Prices and grade level information for all models of the 191 Corolla will be announced in mid-October.
Those interested in becoming one of the first to test drive the Corolla hybrid range can visit Toyota.ie to register their interest. Toyota says priority will be given to existing customers and early hand raisers who place an order.
Once registered, they will be kept up to date on first arrivals in February for the Corolla and early January 2019 for the Corolla hatchback and youring sports.
Toyota’s latest announcement of the Corolla hybrid, as well as the expansion of the Corolla family, follows the March 2018 decision from Toyota to cease the production of diesel passenger cars.
