Next-gen Toyota Corolla hybrid to be the most advanced yet

The all-new 2019 Corolla hatch will debut Toyota’s latest generation hybrid technology that will be available across the range when the new model graces Australian showrooms in August.

Promising improved driveability and tractability, the upgraded Hybrid Synergy Drive in the new Corolla is also said offer the optimum balance between fuel economy, low emissions and performance.

By offering the advanced 1.8-litre petrol electric drivetrain as a powertrain option on all models, Toyota is furthering its push to ensure its self-sufficient electrified drivetrain technology is a mainstream drivetrain option that is available to a broad range of customers.

Toyota chief marketing officer Wayne Gabriel said the new hybrid is now available on three of the four new Camry models – with hybrid accounting for more than 40 per cent of sales – will be offered on every Corolla model, and will, for the first time in Australia be available in the new RAV4 that will launch in 2019.

“Toyota was one of the pioneers of this advanced technology when it launched the original Prius over 20 years ago and as we move to a more electrified drivetrain culture we are continuing to evolve our hybrid technology to ensure it has the widest application possible,” Mr Gabriel said.

“It is no longer a marginal powertrain option, but rather, as we have experienced with Camry, a favoured option for customers who appreciate its responsive, economical and low-emission performance for all driving environments.”

The latest generation hybrid drivetrain in the new Corolla hatch is said to be lighter, more compact and more refined than its predecessor, which in turn provides better power-to-weight ratio.

The Toyota system is a full hybrid that uses a combination of a 1.8-litre Atkinson cycle petrol engine with a pair of motor generators to provide electric-only drive to the wheels; combined petrol and electric drive; and electricity generation to recharge the battery.

For the new generation Corolla hatch, the Hybrid Synergy Drive system features a substantially upgraded petrol engine, two new motor generators, new e-CVT transaxle, a new power control unit and new hybrid system battery.

The upgrades to the petrol engine have resulted in a 40 per cent thermal efficiency, which Toyota claims is a world’s best for a mass-produced petrol unit. The improvements allow the new engine to maintain similar outputs as the previous unit despite being smaller and more compact.

The new petrol engine generates a maximum power of 72kW at 5200rpm and peak torque of 142Nm at 3600rpm while the main electric drive motor produces maximum outputs of 53kW/163Nm.

Combined maximum output for the system is rated at 90kW with a combined fuel consumption of 4.2l/100km and CO₂ emissions of 97g/km.

In addition to the improved fuel economy, it’s said that a variety of modifications to the petrol engine have further improved combustion, cooling, friction and knock control that contribute to reduced noise and vibration and greater refinement.

The new more compact multi-axis e-CVT has also been tuned for greater low-down response and driveability, ensuring the new Hybrid Drive system in the Corolla deliver an improved drive experience.