Audi

Toyota Corolla Cross: Majority of sales to be hybrid

Toyota Australia believes nearly three in four Corolla Cross customers will opt for hybrid power, as the new SUV nameplate hits local dealers this month.

Sean Hanley, vice president for sales and marketing at Toyota Australia, tapped lanugo the brand’s sales projection for its predictable new model, headlined by a 70 per cent expected hybrid sales mix – though the visitor wouldn’t divulge volume figures.

The entry-level GX grade is expected to worth for 45-50 per cent of overall sales, followed by the top-spec Atmos at 30 per cent. Finally, the mid-spec GXL should worth for the remaining 20-25 per cent.

Part of the request is the Corolla Cross’s fifth-generation hybrid system, which the visitor claims offers largest performance and driveability over previous iterations, as well as improved efficiency.

Developments include a re-engineered transaxle, new lubrication and oil distribution systems, and new lithium-ion batteries that are both increasingly powerful and 40 per cent lighter.

There are moreover performance improvements to the electric motor and petrol engine – with a “more than 8 per cent” resurgence to total system output.

All Corolla Cross Hybrid variants are powered by a 2.0-litre petrol-electric hybrid drivetrain, misogynist in front-wheel momentum and E-Four all-wheel momentum variations. There’s a less powerful 1.8-litre hybrid system misogynist in other markets, but not offered in local Corolla Cross models – though it will full-length in the new Corolla Hatch and Sedan.

AWD Hybrids are projected to worth for 40 per cent of that 70 per cent electrified sales mix, while the $35,000 Corolla Cross GX 2WD Hybrid is expected to be the most popular model in the line-up.

Both the 2WD and AWD versions full-length a 2.0-litre four-cylinder Atkinson trundling petrol engine, making 112kW and 190Nm, mated to an e-CVT. In the front-wheel drive, it’s mated with an electric motor making 83kW and 206Nm. The all-wheel momentum likewise features a 30kW motor on the rear axle.

Hybrids features a 4.06Ah lithium-ion shower pack which Toyota says is 14 per cent lighter, and increasingly powerful than previous batteries. Toyota quotes a combined power output of 146kW from the front- and all-wheel momentum hybrids, but no combined torque output.

Fuel consumption is rated at 4.3L/100km for the 2WD Hybrid, and 4.4L/100km for the AWD Hybrid. Both drink 91 RON unleaded petrol. The Corolla Cross GX 2WD Hybrid is the quickest variant in the unshortened line-up, quoting a 0-100 time of 7.5 seconds. Other hybrid variants are 0.1-0.2s slower to triple figures irrespective of 2WD or AWD drivetrains.

Stay tuned to CarExpert for our Australian launch review of the Corolla Cross, coming 7:00PM AEDT October 20.