The highly-anticipated Toyota Corolla Cross, which is to be built at the brand's Prospecton plant, will be launched locally in just a few months time. The Japanese carmaker has revealed the engine line-up for SA-spec models, with two powertrain options listed.
A petrol powered model will feature Toyota's 103 kW/173 Nm 1.8-litre-litre engine, mated to 7-step CVT gearbox. Toyota points out that this is the same engine used in the Xs-trim Corolla, as well as the Corolla Quest. Known as the 2ZR-FE, the brand says it "prioritises refinement and strong mid-range torque delivery." The CVT offers a manual mode, but is tuned to offer maximum efficiency when left to its own devices. The Corolla Cross is rather frugal, with a claimed average fuel consumption of 6.8 L/100 km.
Using the same engine also found in the Prius, the Hybrid Corolla Cross is equipped with a 72 kW/142 Nm 1.8-litre petrol engine which, says Toyota, "boasts a world-beating thermal efficiency figure of 40% (for a petrol engine)." The electric motor system has also seen a number of technical advancements. While smaller in size, the battery has a higher energy density which means that power has remained the same. "It can absorb 28 per cent more energy in the same amount of time, for more rapid self-charging.
The electric motors themselves are smaller, but also have an improved power-to-weight ratio," says Toyota. With a supplementary 53 kW and 163 Nm of torque at full capacity, the overall system output is boosted to 90 kW. Toyota says that the combined power figure is not an "aggregate of the two power sources, due to transmission reduction losses"
The Hybrid model also utilises a CVT gearbox, while fuel economy is rated at a frugal 4.3 l/100 km.
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