Global car-makers are heavily investing in research and development and focusing a lot on SUV, and crossover segment for the past few years. This segment is in the prime stage of growth and customers are blessed with a huge lot of variety to choose from. Although the cross-over and SUV have flooded the market, there are some models which are not affected at all as their customer base is still intact and I am sure you can guess it correctly; the prime examples are double C’s, Corolla & Civic.
When it comes to cars like Corolla and Civic, everyone gets excited to know something new about them. Corolla is Toyota’s bread and butter with sales in over 150 countries that contribute a total of 20% of sales of the entire company. According to Toyota, there are 16 Corolla assembly plants worldwide, and over 46 Million units have been sold to date, since the first generation. The current Corolla is in its 11th generation with a mid-cycle face-lift in Pakistan although internationally recently a 12th generation Corolla was revealed late last year. We have constantly been reporting about the 12th generation of Corolla pre and post-reveal on our blogs.
As of now a North American model, both regular petrol and Hybrid variants have been introduced. For Chinese customers, Toyota also revealed Corolla with Hybrid powertrain but in two flavours. Europe also saw their share in form of Hybrid Corolla and now a regular petrol variant is awaited. Here it is interesting to point out that, this is the first time Toyota is offering the Hybrid version of Corolla in its around 53 year history. Toyota has also offered a Corolla Hatchback for North American, Europe and some select regions also.
Read More : Toyota Corolla 2020 – This is it!
As I mentioned earlier a European variant of regular petrol is not yet officially revealed and its point of interest for all of us here in Pakistan because that model will give us a clear cut clue what we will see in our Pakistani market. Although a PKDM [Pakistan Domestic Model ] follow a Thai version of Corolla, the exterior and interior of both ASEAN & European market Corolla have been identified for the 11th generation. So, whatever comes to Europe will eventually reach Thailand and later on out of the factory floor of Toyota Indus.
Although the New Corolla is a global model, there is a slight difference between the China and two different variants released for North American versions. Besides slight difference on the front fascia and rear end, the rest of the car is identical like side profile as well as the details pertinent to mechanics and platform. Euro-spec Corolla follows one of the Chinese variants as far as Hybrid. Some slight differences are expected between the hybrid and petrol variant of Corolla [ awaited for release] and car enthusiast was already predicting what those changes could be. Regardless of what country-specific model you review, the interior design globally will be identical. Obviously, we can expect a different level of equipment and features on the interior depending on the trim level and market the car is offered.
Now recently the Euro-spec regular patrol Corolla has been spotted and pictures are circulating on the internet. The car does not look much different from the hybrid variant on the exterior with minors differences when compared with the Hybrid variant. The first thing you will notice is slightly different headlights. The Hybrid vehicle gets a double ” J” DRL wrapped around the headlights housing while the petrol variant has triple “J” DRL. Keep in mind the vehicle as spotted [ white car as pictured here ] is not a fully loaded variant so maybe these “J’s” are only chrome trim within headlights for a base or mid-grade trim level while in case of a fully loaded version these are actual LED DRL strips. I am assuming this for the fact that the innermost portion of headlights has two LED spotlights which seems to be DRL. The main headlights source remains as the projector. Now the question is if projector will be a standard feature all across the trim levels or we might see a halogen housing here. Round fog lights on the outer bottom edge of the front bumper will be available.
Looking into the design of headlight which seems very slim, my opinion is that a conventional reflector housing might not be an option because of the size enough lights cant be produced. Like current Civic which has standard projector [ with LED headlights available on fully loaded variants], we might see a standard projector for Corolla as well all across the trim levels. Overall the front of the car is more of evolutionary rather revolutionary and looks like more of an upgrade to 11th generation Corolla. It’s interesting to note here that the Euro-spec 12th generation Corolla, do look somewhat similar to the North American 11th generation facelift as pictured in blue below especially if you compare the design of bumper. On the rear end, we can expect regular halogen bulbs as taillights on base models while higher trim levels will get LED taillights.
As of interior, US, China, Europe all variants [petrol & Hybrid ] carry the identical interior. There is a centrally placed 8″ high definition touchscreen head unit over the AC vents and climate control for high trim level models. The base models will get a 7″ touchscreen as can be seen in the pictures here. The new tablet-style head-unit is all new design language across the Toyota model line and can be seen in the new full-size sedan Toyota Avalon as well as the new Rav4 SUV. A Pakistani version of Corolla currently gets an android based head-unit and many people reported lag and other issues with it and citing it to be a cheap Chinese android system branded for Corolla. Many enthusiasts swap their stock system for a better-branded unit in their cars. With this new floating tablet-style, head-units things will now get complicated to do any swaps if you are looking for any aftermarket high-end unit. Internationally Corolla gets standard multi-function steering wheels with audio controls and other functions for connected phones. We might not see all the options on PKDM Corolla steering wheel.
Corolla offers automatic climate control internationally and as can be seen in these pictures here. I believe we will have the same system on the high-grade models while for the base we might see the same conventional regular heating and cooling. The new Corolla offers Electronic parking brake and auto-hold feature as standard on North American model. In Europe, it will be available on top trim levels while on base models there will be conventional hand brake as also can be seen in the picture below. We can expect the same for our version hopefully. Sunroof, leather or cloth seating, power seats are other features to look for. Overall, the new Corolla has a completely new interior design unlike the retro looking interior of the previous generation, which was very boring and bland.
The 10th generation Civic with full digital cluster behind the steering wheel was the talk of the town when Civic was launched internationally. In the overseas market, a fully loaded or even mid-grade Civic is receiving the digital cluster. Pakistani customer on the other hand only getting a partial digital cluster even on fully loaded Civic. The good news is Toyota is now offering the digital cluster on its new Corolla. The new Corolla gets a 7″ digital cluster on the higher variant of the Corolla sedan and the driver will be able to select between analogue and digital speedometer styles. A conventional needle-type analogue cluster will be available on the base and lower trim levels with a 4.2-inch Multi-Information Display (MID). The corolla spotted has a digital cluster although it’s not a full spec variant. Will Toyota Indus bless us with the digital cluster is very early to say, but we can assume we might see it on the fully loaded Altis Grande. Below you can find the two clusters [swipe below images and compare the two clusters ].
Now let’s talk about technical things and details under the skin which is almost identical. The new Corolla 2020 is based on Toyota’s new global platform known as TNGA, “Toyota New Global Architecture,” GA-C to be specific for compact vehicles. This modular platform is currently being used by the number of current generation Toyota models like Prius as well as the C-HR. The new Corolla is slightly longer and wider than the previous generation. It has the same wheelbase as the 11th generation Corolla but the new model is lower than the past. The Corolla is 4,640mm long, 1,780mm wide and 1,435mm tall, with a wheelbase of 2,700mm. According to Toyota, the new Corolla has wider front and rear track dimensions.
The height of the new Corolla is also reduced from the previous generation by 20mm. Toyota promises that a wider and lower stance gives the car much better driving dynamics with the lower centre of gravity with improved stability. The new platform gives Corolla quite and comfortable ride with reduce road noise. The vehicles which are offered locally normally have high ground clearance as we have seen in the past. Honda Civic which was always being criticized locally for being too low although the 10th generation Civic in Pakistan has received around 23 mm height increase when compared with the international model. 12th generation Corolla with lower ground clearance as per new design might get some tweaks when offered locally in Pakistan. Changing these dimensions do change driving dynamics and we have to see if such a thing happens with PKDM Corolla.
Corolla suspension system always got bad criticism. There is fully revised and updated MacPherson strut front suspension while Toyota killed the conventional torsion beam setup from the rear. Toyota has blessed the new Corolla with a brand new multi-link rear suspension with stabilizing bars. Toyota also added newly developed shock absorbers to provide better and optimized damping force for better handling, stability and ride comfort. There are 16″ steel rims on the base model while rest of the variants get 16″ new style alloys. Besides this, you can also opt for 18″ alloys in the international market. Power-assisted rack-and-pinion, Electric Power Steering (EPS) comes in all Corollas for the 12th generation as standard all across the trim levels. We need to see how Toyota Indus implements the suspension system for locally produced Corolla. I expect we will see the same setup but with increased ground clearance.
As of engine; there are a total of three engine options globally and one with Hybrid as per currently available information. The first one is the same as the previous Corolla, a 1.8L (2ZR-FAE) 4 Cylinder engine. Toyota mentions that although this engine is from the previous generation Corolla, some refinements have been done with some power enhancements as well as better efficiency. In the 11th generation, the same engine produces up to 138hp. The second conventional petrol engine would be a 1ZR-FE , a 1.6L engine which is also offered in 11th generation Corolla in certain markets including Pakistan. It is pointed out here that the 1.6L in Europe is rated at 130hp while the same engine is de-tuned to 120hp in Pakistan. Toyota will offer 1.6L engine in Europe while the 1.8L engine is available in the North American market.
The third engine option is Toyota’s new 2.0L (M20A-FKS) Dynamic Force Engine. This is the same engine offered in Corolla hatchback. This engine produces 169hp and 204NM of peak torque at 4,800 rpm. According to Toyota, the new engine delivers more performance while using less fuel. Interestingly, the 2.0L engine is also physically smaller and lighter, helping to lower the car’s centre of gravity and improve its overall balance. This engine, for now, is only available for the North American market.
A discussed earlier, Corolla is now available with a hybrid badge. The hybrid Corolla’s heart and soul are the same as what is found under the new 4th gen Toyota Prius 2018. Technologically it is the same power-plant which powers the current 4th generation of Prius. The exact setup will propel the Corolla Hybrid all over the globe. The engine is a 2ZR-FXE 1.8L which according to Toyota is specially designed for the Hybrid application and rated at 121hp. To reduce friction loses, there is an electrically operated water pump instead of the conventional belt drive system. This helps to reduce fuel use and emission at startup, there is an exhaust heat re-circulation system so that the engine reaches optimal working temperature quickly. Toyota used to offer corolla in diesel variant, there is news that Toyota will not offer any diesel option this time and that the reason the hybrid power plant has been moved under the hood of Corolla being as more fuel efficient model.
As of transmission, the 1.8L and 1.6L Corolla will use the same CVT as in use for 11th generation Corolla although it has been tuned to shift better and more efficiently. The hybrid Corolla is using an electronically controlled continuously variable transmission (ECVT) which Toyota is efficiently using in almost all Hybrid models under Toyota and Lexus brand. The 2.0L Corolla is offered with slightly different CVT. This transmission is offered with physical first gear which Toyota calls with launch gear. The purpose of this is to achieve linear acceleration unlike in regular CVT transmissions where engines rev high at launch and give a rubber-band-like effect. Depending upon models and variant, a manual transmission is also available
As for PKDM Corolla, we can easily expect the same 1.8L and 1.6L engine for our upcoming Corolla. We have been hearing Toyota Indus ditching the 1.3L engine option and killing the XLI variant and it seems that that would e the case as Toyota is working on offering a Vios, a small sedan to counter the sales of peoples favourite Honda City. Again we can’t say this with surety but rumours have been floating around for quite some time. As for the transmission, we will see the same CVT and option of manual.
The possibility of Hybrid Corolla are very slim but we can expect a CBU/ imported model. I don’t expect we will see a 2.0L engine option for the locally produced model.
When it comes to safety, Toyota does not disappoints. All Corolla regardless of trim level will come with Toyota Safety Sense TSS in North America. This means that all Corollas even a base model will come equipped with a PCS (Pre-Collision System), DRCC (Dynamic Radar Cruise Control), LDA (Lane Departure Alert) with Steer Assist, LTA (Lane Tracing Assist), AHB (Automatic High Beams), RSA (Road Sign Assist).
As always all variants of Corolla come equipped with standard eight airbags, Electronic stability control, traction control, hill start assists, Electronic brake distribution. On the safety front, Toyota also added “Safety Connect” feature, so in the event of an accident or other emergencies, rescue/help can be dispatched directly to the vehicle’s GPS location. These systems will be linked with airbag deployment module. Hill start assist, tire pressure monitor, backup camera, vehicle Stability control + EBD and traction control comes standard in the US. European Corolla on the hand comes with 7 airbags while rest of safety equipment is also available.
The safety equipment as available in the European or US Corolla has a long list but as alalways wehould not expect sthe ame for our version of 12th generation Corolla. Like always a PKDM Corolla will be less equipped . I hope Toyota Indus at least make vehicle stability control standard all across the trim levels and does not just offer it on the top variant as currently being done. I also strongly suggest that side airbags must be implemented on our local cars as well and not just frontal ones.
Overall, the new Corolla for sure seems improved in every department. The 12th generation Corolla is a very serious matter for Toyota globally including Pakistan especially when new entrants will be coming soon with their offerings.
For now, these pictures give us a general overview of how the Corolla will look like for our market and what options we might see in it. We can expect the release of 12th generation in Pakistan sometime in mid of 2020. We will update our readers with new information on this subject and will share details once available. Meanwhile please share your thoughts, opinion and your expectations regarding the 12th generation Corolla.
Pakwheels forum for a discussion on this subject here > Pakwheels.com/12thGenerationCorolla
