June 3rd 2022
Toyota engineers are always at work to make its most popular nameplate Corolla more enticing for customers. After the introduction of the GR Corolla, the most hardcore model in the Corolla lineup, Toyota started sprucing up the hybrid models. The result is a stouter hybrid system along with an all-wheel-drive configuration, and a new petrol mill for buyers.
First talking about the powerplant, the most famous variant in the range, the LE, now employs a 2.0-litre petrol unit generating 169 horsepower. It swaps the old 1.8-litre four-cylinder creating 30 hp less than the new mill.
The new engine is not only more robust but also sips less fuel. Toyota says the 2.0-litre delivers 2mpg more on average than the 1.8-lire unit. All new variants using the petrol mill feature a continuously variable transmission with paddle shifters to employ 10 pre-appointed gear ratios in the SE and XSE models.
The biggest highlight of the new 2023 Corolla is the Hybrid, All-Wheel-Drive powertrain. The system includes an electric motor at the rear axle that obviously energizes the rear wheels. While the company did not tell how powerful this powertrain would be, they said the electric motor not only engages in slippery conditions but also improves cornering and minimises understeering.
The new Corolla Hybrid powertrain consists of a 1.8-liter Atkinson-cycle four-cylinder petrol mill and a freshly created motor with a reformatted magnet and electromagnetic steel plate arrangement. Toyota has also improved the lithium-ion battery, which now sits underneath the rear seat to have a lower center of gravity.
While we previously had only the Corolla Hybrid LE FWD model for electrified powertrain lovers, this has changed for the 2023 model year. The buyers have a choice of four new hybrid models – LE AWD, SE, SE AWD, and XLE.
Toyota generously equipped the 2023 Corolla. All variants get the brand’s 8.0-inch infotainment system with over-the-air updates, a voice-activated assistant, and a cloud-based navigation system. A JBL premium audio system with nine speakers and an 800-watt amplifier is an elective feature that requires you to pay extra. The same is the case for leather upholstery, ambient lighting, wireless phone charging pad, and other trendy facilities we want in a passenger car.
Improving Corolla’s safety as well as its passengers is the new Toyota Safety Sense 3.0 suite. The engineers have enhanced every safety system in the new version including lane departure warning with steering assist, adaptive cruise control, road sign assist, automatic high beam, pre-collision alert with pedestrian detection, and lane tracing assist. Buyers can also have the new 2023 Corolla with front and rear parking sensors and a parking camera.
While the Japanese automaker did not reveal the pricing details yet, we estimate the new Corolla’s starting price at $22,100. The Corolla Hybrid LE will go for $25,375 (est). For reference, the 2022 Corolla sedan starts at AED 71,900 and the XLI Hybrid costs AED 83,900 in the UAE.
Source and Images: Motor1