Toyota Corolla hatch and estate prices and full UK specs announced
The new Toyota Corolla will replace the Auris in March next year, with prices starting at £21,300
The new Toyota Corolla was revealed at the Geneva Motor Show back in March, promising a greater commitment to hybrid technology. As such, the new Corolla range will replace the Auris’s diesel engines with a range of efficient petrol and petrol-hybrid options.
Customers will be offered a choice of three engines; a revised version of the 1.8-litre petrol-hybrid from the current Prius with around 120bhp, a new 2.0-litre petrol-hybrid with 178bhp and a conventional 1.2-litre turbocharged petrol engine.
Both hybrids will only be available with CVT automatic transmissions, while the 1.2-litre turbo can be ordered with a six-speed manual. Toyota is yet to release official specifications for the 1.2-litre turbo, but we expect it to have a similar power output to the 1.2-litre turbo in the current Toyota C-HR SUV, at around 114bhp.
In a bid to make it more interesting to drive than the old Auris, Toyota has also updated the new Corolla’s chassis, stiffening the body and adding multi-link rear suspension. During our drive of the new Corolla, we found that these improvements have had a positive effect on the experience behind the wheel.
Toyota’s latest VW Golf rival will be available in a choice of four trim levels; “Icon,” “Icon Tech,” “Design” and “Excel.” The 1.2-litre turbo and 1.8-litre hybrid engines will be available across the range, but Toyota’s new 2.0-litre hybrid can only be fitted to “Design” and “Excel” models.
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The base model Toyota Corolla Icon will come as standard with 16-inch alloy wheels, an 8-inch infotainment system, reversing camera, heated front seats and automatic LED headlights. Icon Tech models start at £22,350, and add satellite navigation, parking sensors and a 7-inch TFT display in place of the analogue instrument cluster.
Design models retail from £23,375, and come with 17-inch alloy wheels, rain-sensing wipers, electrically adjustable and heated door-mirrors, rear privacy glass, LED front fog lamps and an optional panoramic roof.
The range-topping Corolla Excel is fitted with 18-inch alloy wheels, sports seats, half leather upholstery and Bi-LED headlamps. Optional extras include a JBL sound system and a two-tone paint finish. Prices start at £27,345 for the hatchback and £28,615 for the estate.
A saloon version of the new Corolla has been confirmed, and will be launched in the UK at some point in 2019, with pricing and specification details due to be announced in early January.
Now read our review of the new Toyota Corolla prototype. Let us know your thoughts in the comments below…
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