ISLAMABAD: Japanese automaker Toyota has unveiled an updated Corolla sedan through a partnership with FAW, which is set to launch later this month.
The significantly updated Corolla was showcased at the Guangzhou Motor Show this week. The new model features major exterior changes, a high-tech digital driver’s cockpit and improved engine options to keep it competitive in global markets.
The most noticeable upgrade is at the front, which takes inspiration from Toyota’s latest Camry and Prius models.
The new design gives the Corolla a sharper and more premium look. While the rear remains largely unchanged, with its dark-tinted taillights, the size of the car has been slightly increased.
Inside, the driver’s space has been revamped. The old analog instrument panel has been replaced with an 8.8-inch digital display, paired with a new 12.9-inch high-resolution infotainment screen.
Toyota is also including full Toyota Pilot driver-assistance features even in the base variants, signalling a shift toward standardising advanced technology.
The new model comes with an upgraded engine paired with a hybrid system delivering 98 horsepower. Sales in China are expected to begin this month, though pricing details have not yet been announced.
Industry experts say the China-made Corolla could influence Toyota’s strategy in Pakistan. Indus Motor Company (IMC), Toyota’s local assembler, may face growing pressure to introduce similar technology and design upgrades in the local market.
With Toyota expanding hybrid-component production across the region from China, assembling the Corolla Hybrid in Pakistan could become more practical, improving availability and reducing costs.
