Abdullah Abdulghani & Bros Co (AAB) unveiled the all-new Toyota Corolla in Qatar at a special event recently. R K Murugan, COO – Automotive Division, AAB, and Yuichiro Takeda, assistant chief engineer, Toyota, highlighted the features and specifications of the all-new Corolla at the event.
Now available with a hybrid electric powertrain, the 12th-generation Corolla “ushers in a new era of style, safety and driving excitement that is set to bring delight to both motorists and passengers in the region”, according to a press statement. 
The Corolla hybrid electric model combines two power sources consisting of a petrol engine and two electric motors. The “class-leading model offers the lowest fuel consumption value in its category” at 27.6km/l, enabling customers to contribute to a greener future while enjoying the increased driving satisfaction provided by its advanced technologies. The new model “offers exceptional cabin quietness and smooth acceleration”.
“The Corolla carries a heritage of more than 50 years and has always remained true to its original concept; a passenger car that offers strong levels of quality, durability and reliability, together with a smooth driving experience. This foundation was our starting point,” said Yasushi Ueda, chief engineer for the Toyota Corolla. “We wanted to make a new model that both builds on this legacy and enriches mobility for our customers. The biggest reward we can get is seeing how people enjoy our car and that they are proud to own a new Corolla.”
“We are excited to launch the all-new Corolla in the region, which further enhances this iconic model to bring a joyful driving experience. The all-new model delivers on the more emotional values that our customers aspire to by combining a distinctive design, interior refinements and rewarding driving dynamics, especially with the addition of a powerful yet efficient hybrid electric powertrain,” added Yugo Miyamoto, chief representative, Middle East and Central Asia Representative Office, Toyota Motor Corporation. 
The all-new Corolla is built on the Toyota New Global Architecture platform, which guarantees a more rewarding driving experience. The vehicle meets all the requirements of daily commutes and weekend leisure journeys, offering driving enjoyment in all road conditions and  comprehensive array of safety features. Available in eight distinctive exterior colours, the all-new Corolla’s striking look is characterised by a frontal treatment with a two-step rendering of the front corners, flanking a strongly projecting lower grille. The slim upper grille has a pronounced three-dimensional design and connects with the top of the sharply designed headlamp units, wrapping around the corners to emphasise the car’s low and firmly planted appearance. 
The all-new Corolla has an expansive and comfortable cabin, which displays exceptional quality and finishing throughout. The seats feature new cushion material, while the armrest and ample legroom offer superior comfort for rear-seat passengers. Passengers also benefit from AC vents for the rear seat, a one-touch moonroof, a 4.2- or 7-inch colour multi-information display in the cluster gauge, a 7-inch touch-screen multimedia infotainment display, reversing camera, cruise control, six-speaker sound system, a multi-adjustable power driver seat and 60:40 split-folding rear seats.
The all-new Corolla’s striking looks are complemented by an exciting drive personality imbued by three powertrain options; these include a newly developed 2.0-litre four-cylinder Dynamic Force engine with a new D-4S fuel injection system, which produces 168hp and 20.43kg-m of torque and is mated to a new 10-speed Sequential Shiftmatic transmission; and a 1.6-litre four-cylinder engine that produces 121hp and 15.7kg-m of torque, which is paired with a Multidrive 7S seven-speed automatic transmission. 
Meanwhile, the new electrified hybrid powertrain combines two power sources consisting of a petrol engine and two electric motors, producing 97hp and 71hp with a combined power of 121hp, and delivering 14.5kg-m and 16.6kg-m of torque, respectively. It is also mated to an Electrically Controlled Continuously Variable Transmission, which provides an outstanding fuel consumption value of 27.6km/l while improving the driving experience. Toyota has more than 20 years of technical leadership in electrified vehicles, and has amassed more than 12mn global environment-friendly vehicle sales. The all-new Corolla establishes yet another landmark in its development of the technology with the debut of model’s hybrid electric variant.  
The vehicle can be driven entirely on electrical power with zero-fuel consumption and tailpipe emissions, or by combining the power generated from both the petrol engine and two electric motors, depending on the vehicle’s speed and customer’s driving behaviour. Its hybrid electric batteries are continuously charged by either the petrol engine or when decelerating and braking, eliminating the need to plug in a power cord.
As with any other Toyota model, safety remains a top priority for the all-new Corolla, which includes a comprehensive array of features to protect its occupants.