The new Toyota Corolla has just been launched in Malaysia, so what’s this taped-up car about? Spotted by reader JohnnyBoy in Iskandar Puteri, Johor, this is clearly the Toyota Corolla Hybrid. We can tell by the blue tint in the front Toyota emblem, and the matching blue accent in the headlamps.
Long hybrid-shaped badges can be found covered on the front wings and boot lid. There are pics of the cabin too, and zooming into the dashboard shot reveals an EV Mode button ahead of the gear lever – located next to the VSC and Drive Mode buttons, this button is left blank in our regular Corolla 1.8G.
You also don’t need to be a detective to find the owner of this Corolla Hybrid, as it wears UMW Toyota Motor (UMWT) license plate holders. The interior pic also shows UMWT’s regular 2-DIN touchscreen head unit that leaves a very thick bezel on the dashboard’s centre screen holder, as seen on just-launched car.
In Thailand, Toyota sells the Corolla in 1.6L, 1.8L and Hybrid forms. The Corolla Hybrid uses the 2ZR-FXE Atkinson-cycle version of the familiar 1.8 litre NA engine that churns out 98 PS at 5,200 rpm and 142 Nm at 3,600 rpm. Paired to a 72 PS/122 Nm electric motor and CVT, total system output is 122 PS.
Head unit aside, the car here appears close in spec to the Thai Corolla Hybrid High, as only the range topper there gets the full Toyota Safety Sense suite of driver assists. The camera on top of the windscreen and the buttons on the right steering spoke are TSS components.
So, is UMWT gearing up for the debut of the Corolla Hybrid so soon after launching the new Corolla? There might well be plans, but our guess is that for now, this is just an evaluation unit.
As with other brands with hybrids in their portfolio, they’ll have to make a case for local assembly for the hybrid to be priced competitively, and Malaysians are used to hybrids being value champions of the range. Currently, even the regular Corolla is a CBU import from Thailand, so we won’t be holding our breath.
But should it happen, and if UMWT can muster a good price for the Corolla Hybrid, it might be an interesting C-segment option as there’s no hybrid offering between the Honda Civic and Mazda 3. Also, RON 95 petrol prices will be floated next year, so a car with good FC would be “more valuable” moving forward.
What do you think? Full local launch report of the new Toyota Corolla here.
GALLERY: Toyota Corolla 1.8G in Malaysia
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Why need to tease here? We edy know how it looks. Just launch it edy lah!
Hi! Must be your first time reading car news. Welcome!
Corolla Hybrid.. Yeah..
But it’s gonna be CBU… Argh…
Predict Malaysia vehicle sales data for September 2019 by brand:
1. Perodua @ Mumm-Ra 15900 units
2. Proton @ Thundercats 8934 units
3. Honda 6200 units
4. Toyota 4900 units
5. Nissan 1800 units
Ok, and?
Now we talk. And ya, remember to change the headup unit.
No we typing
Heyy!! whatchu doinn!?? Don’t be a troll, Don’t be a troll, Don’t be a troll!!!!
Bring in so many hybrids, wondering if their technical person, spare parts and service centre can cope or not…
Just lose the bezel or give a bigger screen, the former is cheaper option for UMW, you’ll get more buyer.
Hybrid = New Generation Turbo.
Full Torque from Zero RPM. No need wait till sub 2k rpm feeling the Turbo Lag late kick in.
Best for City drive for early pickup and no Lag. Some cars like C-RV is so lag with 1.5L turbo. Before turbo kick in, it’s running on 1.5L. Facepalm. Traffic jam don’t expect me to drive up to above 1.7k rpm easily lah…
The bezel is really a big let off. Bet they order too much from cronies company cannot sell.
Hybrid is always neither here or there. It cannot be too powerful as turbo as it will not fuel efficent. And cannot be as durable n cost effective as NA engine due to more parts n battery replacement. No point of selling hybrid cars in malaysia. People here if want power they buy turbo cars. If want save petrol they small cc cars. The rest will buy NA cars due to less problem n maintainence.
N.A for the win. The only issue we are trapped with eco emission standard. Turbo is shortcut, but it’s got delayed performance I.e commonly known as turbo lag. Otherwise, let’s wait and see the impact of without subsidized Ron95. Driving above rm2.50/L.
Electrified Motor comparison:
Toyota HEV has longer battery supply for hybrid performance. Performance like Camry 2.5HV and Prius C 1.5L Hybrid was fun, responsive and maximized torque from zero rpm.
Your experience may refer to Honda HEV, where they are using tiny Lithium packs sufficient only for 2km pure EV range. It’s ended up neither here nor there. Hrv with 1.5L hybrid is sufficient but unable to showcase Hybrid performance. It’s substandard.
On the otherside, MHEV like 48V boost also excellent for launching boost. Reduce FC up to 15% with battery cost easily within rm2k.
PHEV always rated with 50km pure EV range. Battery is even larger, but need external charging. This is troublesome but doing daily charge can allows you drive it like EV cars.
Really glad they ditch that “Altis” name. Hell yeah the legendary Corolla
Keep bringing new type of hybrid but never maintain the model line. Look what happened to Prius then Camry.