12th-gen Toyota Corolla Sedan makes world premiere

KUALA LUMPUR: 2019 Toyota Corolla sedan officially made its world premiere at the Guangzhou Motor Show. The China-bound Levin version of the vehicle was also wrapped off alongside this 12th-generation C-segment version.

It is being speculated that the sedan will not feature turbocharging. Unlike the European-spec Corolla Hatchback, this vehicle will not be powered by a 1.2-litre turbocharged petrol engine. It might derive its power from a new-gen 2.0-litre naturally aspirated petrol powertrain, probably the M20A-FKS 2.0 litre Dynamic Force that generate a maximum power reading  of168 hp and produces a peak torque of 205 Nm. The motor might come mated to a CVT gearbox.

The 2019 Toyota Corolla is based on the Toyota New Global Architecture (TNGA) GA-C platform. The dimensional measurement of the China-spec Corolla reads around 4,640 mm in length, 1,780 mm in width, and 1,435 mm in height. This points to the fact that the upcoming sedan will portray a wider and longer body frame but a lower ground clearance. The wheelbase is kept unchanged at 2,700 mm long.

The new generation Toyota Corolla Sedan will take styling cues from its wagon and hatchback siblings. The vehicle features an athletic silhouette, accompanied by wider tyres compared to its predecessor. The exterior design of this 12th-gen Toyota Corolla Sedan is inspired by ‘Shooting Robust’ concept. The interior design reflects a minimalist, refined and stylish look.

Initially, Toyota will market the new sedan only in Sporty and Prestige versions. The Sporty variant with its highly enthusiastic and athletic look is set to be geared for the China (under the name of Levin), North America, Japan, including other markets. The Prestige model, with its sophisticated look, is expected to arrive in China, Europe, and a few selected countries.

Toyota plans to market the 12th-gen Corolla Sedan in over 150 nations, including the US, China, Japan, Europe in 2019 only. There is no word yet on its launch date in Malaysia. We are currently served by 1.8-litre Corolla Altis Sedan.