UMW Toyota Motor (UMWT) has confirmed today that it will be launching Hybrid Electric Vehicles (HEV) in Malaysia in the near future, in line with the company's recent investments into hybridisation.
Deputy Chairman of UMW Toyota Motor, Akio Takeyama said that for the automotive industry, carbon neutrality involves a very challenging process to ensure that zero emissions can be achieved throughout the lifecycle of manufacturing, transporting, energy generating, fueling and/or charging, and the recycling and disposal of vehicles.
Toyota's global offerings come in the form of Hybrid Electric Vehicles (HEV); Battery Electric Vehicles (BEV); Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles (PHEV) and Fuel Cell Electric Vehicles (FCEV), depending on what is best suited to the energy policies and readiness of different countries.
Toyota is also actively pursuing the development of e-fuels made from hydrogen designed to improve fuel efficiency dramatically.
Thai-spec Corolla Cross Hybrid's engne
“For the immediate future, we are absolutely positive that the HEV is the most accessible and realistic choice for Malaysian customers in terms of practicality and infrastructure, with an enormous potential in Malaysia. It is a realistic bridge towards vehicle electrification while efforts are still being undertaken to help realise enablers for BEV, such as cost reduction, energy mix improvement and infrastructure development,” said Takeyama.
In terms of CO2 emissions, both HEVs and BEVs have almost similar values in the process of vehicle production, energy generation and ownership over a period of 10 years, making HEVs equally effective as BEVs, based on the current energy mix in Malaysia.
Thai-spec Corolla Cross Hybrid pictured
“Toyota HEVs are at their most advanced today, and presents itself as the most realistic, immediate, economical and practical solution for mass market production and sale in terms of reduced CO2 emission, practical usage, and price acceptance by customers.”
“It also requires no new infrastructure to be built, for instance charging stations, the vehicle does not need to be charged and it completely eliminates any anxiety users may have in terms of limited driving range,” he added.
All of these hints at the imminent arrival of the Toyota Corolla Cross Hybrid. It seems like only a matter of time now, considering this model is already in neighbouring markets: closest to us would be Thailand and Indonesia, while customers in Vietnam and the Philippines also have it.
Thai-spec Corolla Cross Hybrid; note the blue-tinged logo and headlights
To recap, the Corolla Cross Hybrid is sold in Thailand with this following specification:
TH-spec Corolla Cross powertrain
Engine
2ZR-FXE
1.8-litre, naturally-aspirated four-cylinder petrol engine
98 PS @ 5,200 rpm
142 Nm @ 3,600 rpm
Hybrid system
72 PS
163 Nm
Combined power: 122 PS
Transmission
CVT
Thai-spec Corolla Cross Hybrid pictured
A similar powertrain is expected if and when the model comes to Malaysia.
Both variants of the Corolla Cross currently on sale here
Meanwhile, prices for the Corolla Cross in Malaysia ranges from RM 124k (1.8G) to RM 129k (1.8V). Both are powered by a pure-petrol, 1.8-litre naturally-aspirated mill making 139 PS and 172 Nm.
There's a countdown timer live on Toyota Malaysia's site right now, so time will tell what's coming next.
With humble beginnings collecting diecast models and spending hours virtually tuning dream cars on the computer, his love of cars has delightfully transformed into a career. Sanjay enjoys how the same passion for cars transcends boundaries and brings people together.
