Aug. 06, 2013

TMC Launches Corolla Hybrids in Japan

Toyota City, Japan, August 6, 2013―Toyota Motor Corporation (TMC) announces the launch of hybrid versions of the "Corolla Axio" sedan and "Corolla Fielder" station wagon in Japan. In addition, there will be a special Corolla Fielder "Hybrid G Aerotourer·WxB" grade. The vehicles will be sold across Japan through "Toyota Corolla" dealers starting today.

Corolla Axio Hybrid G
Corolla Fielder Hybrid G
Aerotourer·WxB

The Hybrid G Aerotourer·WxB special edition Corolla Fielder features a stylish black interior with white highlights that has proven popular among consumers. The hybrid Corolla Axio and Corolla Fielder will also be available as "Welcab" specially equipped vehicles with factory-installed features for physically disabled individuals and the elderly.

Monthly sales target for Japan

Corolla Axio (hybrid)	1,000 units
Corolla Fielder (hybrid)	1,500 units

Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Prices

Corolla Axio

Grade		Hybrid System	Driveline	Price^*
	Hybrid	THS II with reduction gear	Front-wheel drive	1,925,000 yen
	With seat heaters			1,940,750 yen
	Hybrid G			2,075,000 yen
	With seat heaters			2,090,750 yen
^*Includes consumption tax, does not include recycling fees and differs in Hokkaido and Okinawa

Corolla Fielder

Grade		Hybrid System	Driveline	Price^*
	Hybrid	THS II with reduction gear	Front-wheel drive	2,085,000 yen
	With seat heaters			2,100,750 yen
	Hybrid G			2,165,000 yen
	With seat heaters			2,180,750 yen
	Aerotourer			2,260,000 yen
^*Includes consumption tax, does not include recycling fees and differs in Hokkaido and Okinawa

Corolla Fielder Hybrid G Aerotourer·WxB

Grade	Hybrid System	Driveline	Price^*
Hybrid G Aerotourer·WxB	THS II with reduction gear	Front-wheel drive	2,340,000 yen
^*Includes consumption tax, does not include recycling fees and differs in Hokkaido and Okinawa

Welcab Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Prices Corolla Axio

Grade		Base grade	Hybrid System	Driveline	Price^*
Rotating and Sliding Passenger Seat model	Type A	Hybrid G	THS II with reduction gear	Front-wheel drive	2,185,000 yen
Rotating and Sliding Passenger Seat model	Type B	Hybrid G	THS II with reduction gear	Front-wheel drive	2,196,000 yen
^*Includes consumption tax, does not include recycling fees and differs in Hokkaido and Okinawa and excludes recycling fees. The Type B model with rotating and sliding passenger seat and the Type II, Type III, and Type IV Welcab Friendmatic models are exempt from consumption taxes.

Welcab Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Prices Corolla Fielder

Grade		Base grade	Hybrid System	Driveline	Price^*
Rotating and Sliding Passenger Seat model	Type A	Hybrid G	THS II with reduction gear	Front-wheel drive	2,275,000 yen
Rotating and Sliding Passenger Seat model	Type B				2,246,000 yen
Friendmatic model (Available in November)	Type I				2,257,000 yen
	Type II				2,474,000 yen
	Type III				2,646,000 yen
	Type IV				2,971,000 yen
^*Includes consumption tax, does not include recycling fees and differs in Hokkaido and Okinawa and excludes recycling fees. The Type B model with rotating and sliding passenger seat and the Type II, Type III, and Type IV Friendmatic models are exempt from consumption taxes.

Vehicle Outline

Superior Fuel Efficiency

The vehicles are equipped with a compact, lightweight, highly efficient 1.5-liter hybrid system (Toyota Hybrid System II (THS II) with reduction gear) that achieves a fuel efficiency of 33.0 km/L under the JC08 test cycle of the Japanese Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (MLIT), representing top level performance in their displacement class. The vehicles also exceed the MLIT fuel efficiency standard for 2015¹ by 20 percent and achieve emissions levels 75 percent lower than the 2005 standards under the MLIT's Approval System for Low-Emission Vehicles, making them eligible for tax reductions under the Japanese government's tax incentive program for environment-friendly vehicles.

The vehicles feature the fuel-efficient Atkinson-cycle engine, as well as a cooled Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR) system to further improve engine efficiency.

The water pump is driven by an electric motor, thus eliminating the need for a drive belt. Not only is friction loss reduced, coolant flow rate can be very precisely controlled, contributing to improved fuel economy.

Key Hybrid System Specifications

Engine	Model	1NZ-FXE
	Displacement	1,496 cc
	Maximum output	54 kW (74 PS) / 4,800 rpm
	Maximum torque	111 N-m (11.3 kgf-m) / 3,600-4,400 rpm
Motor	Maximum output	45 kW (61 PS)
Motor	Maximum torque	169 N-m (17.2 kgf-m)
Complete system^*	Maximum output	73 kW (100 PS)
Battery		Nickel-metal hydride
^*Using both engine power and electric motor power; based on TMC calculations

Special Hybrid Design and Optimized Vehicle Package

The hybrid models feature an exclusive front grille, front and rear Synergy Blue emblems, an exclusive Light Blue Metallic body color, and other distinctive elements.

The interior conveys a futuristic image with blue-highlighted instrument gauges. The 4.2-inch Thin Film Transistor (TFT) color multi-information display makes it easy to check the Eco-Drive status at a glance, with a range of indicators and other useful hybrid-system information. Hybrid models also feature special seat fabric and an exclusive interior panel design (center console / shift lever housing), artificial-leather ornamented instrument panel and upper door trim, and a shift stick knob with blue-accented leather cover².

The hybrid battery is placed under the rear seat for more efficient use of interior space. Rear seat knee space is 640 mm, achieving comfort on par with gasoline-engine vehicles. Luggage space is also comparable to gasoline-engine vehicles, with the Corolla Axio possessing 461 liters³ and the Corolla Fielder possessing 407 liters³ when carrying five passengers and 872 liters³ when carrying two passengers.

Distinctive Hybrid Performance and Equipment

Suspension and shock absorber settings were adjusted to accommodate the increased weight and lower center of gravity of the hybrid system to realize outstanding levels of ride comfort and handling stability.

The use of additional sound insulation material and noise-reducing windshield glass² further enhances cabin quietness.

Two drive modes come standard: the Eco-Drive Mode that gives highest priority to fuel economy and the EV Drive Mode for using only the electric motor.

Also standard is a Vehicle Proximity Notification System designed to warn pedestrians—and other people in the immediate vicinity of the vehicle—of the approach of a quiet hybrid car, and the Hill-start Assist Control function that is designed to prevent the vehicle from rolling backwards, thereby providing peace of mind when starting up the vehicle on a steep hill.

Other Safety and Comfort Features Inherited from Gasoline-engine Models

The HID View Assist Package combines multiple features such as automatic high beams, automatic anti-glare rearview mirrors, and projector-type discharge headlights, to improve nighttime visibility and reduce the burden on the driver.

The nanoe⁴ ionizer (with pollen removal function) comes standard on all grades and disperses particle ions embedded in minute water droplets from the vent on the driver's side throughout the vehicle interior.

¹Specified under the Japanese Law Concerning the Rational Use of Energy

²Only available on Hybrid G grades

³TMC data based on the VDA method

⁴"nanoe" and the nanoe logo are trademarks of Panasonic Corporation