Building on the incredible legacy of its best-selling vehicle, Mohamed Naser Al Sayer and Toyota launched a brand-new addition to the Corolla family. Designed to move occupants in comfort and style, the all-new Corolla Cross delivers outstanding performance and a smooth ride for drivers and passengers alike that makes it the ideal choice for those seeking adventure, doing business, or simply spending time with friends or loved ones.

In view of the current circumstances and in adherence to Ministry guidelines, ALSAYER held a digital premier of the launch on Toyota Kuwait’s YouTube channel for valued partners of Toyota as well as distinguished members of the press and media. The event was presented by Scott McNicol, General Manager Toyota Retail and Bader Faisal Al Sayer, Toyota Marketing Manager, representing Mohamed Naser Al Sayer.

Since its launch in Japan in 1966, the Corolla series has achieved a cumulative total of over 48 million sales in more than 150 countries and regions around the world. The model has continued to evolve in line with the needs of the times; this latest version caters to the strong demand for SUVs in the region, enabling customers to select the vehicle that best suits their diverse lifestyles.

“As we know, the automotive industry is witnessing a profound transformation. During the past few years Toyota has been making significant progress in the fields of Connected, Autonomous, Shared and Electrification. With the launch of all new Corolla Cross, World’s best-selling and favorite vehicle since 1966 – Corolla is evolving,” Scott McNicol explained.

The all-new Corolla Cross has been designed as a new type of SUV that combines a tough urban-style exterior with a comfortable and convenient interior to exceed customer expectations. The TNGA platform (GA-C) has enabled the Corolla Cross to achieve high-quality performance, a comfortable ride, and outstanding quietness. In addition to its exceptional comfort, the Corolla Cross provides a spacious cabin, effortless entry and exit, class-leading luggage space suitable for all scenarios, and tried and tested safety equipment inherited from the Corolla series.

“We started our Hybrid journey with the Prius in 2016. We tested this car then tested it again to make sure the technology was suitable for our customers in Kuwait. We then grew the range by adding a RAV4 Hybrid then a Camry Hybrid followed by a Corolla sedan Hybrid. Last year we introduced the all-new Highlander SUV and the C-HR crossover” added Bader Faisal Al Sayer.

Daizo Kameyama, Chief Engineer in charge of development, commented on the unveiling of the new model: “Now that the Corolla Cross has newly joined the Corolla family, we sincerely hope that our customers will warmly welcome the vehicle to become part of their families; just like their partners, siblings or even friends. We wish that the Corolla Cross could assist customers in creating a new story by loading on their vehicle the people who are important to them, their luggage, and their dreams for the future.”

Kei Fujita, Chief Representative, Middle East and Central Asia Representative Office, Toyota Motor Corporation, commented: “We are very happy to bring the all-new Corolla Cross to our customers in the Middle East, which offers a spacious and comfortable ride that turns both daily commutes or weekend leisure journeys into a fun driving experience. As a versatile and stylish crossover vehicle, this latest addition to our HEV range will help to further increase the appeal of eco-friendly vehicles in the region and contribute to our long-term goals for the promotion of sustainable mobility. I would like to thank all of our customers around the world for taking the Toyota Corolla to their hearts and continuously inspiring us on our journey to make ever-better cars.”

The all-new Corolla Cross immediately captures the attention with its blend of SUV toughness and urban refinement. The vehicle’s bold yet sophisticated style and unmistakable presence are guaranteed to turn heads. Its elevated height and wide stance are emphasized by a front grille that gets wider towards the bottom, producing a sense of strength and stability. Another striking feature is the LED headlamps, which incorporate a curtain-effect – a first for Toyota.

The design of the fender and front bumper create a fun-to-drive impression, while the powerful wheel arches house newly developed 17” alloy wheels that add to the vehicle’s dynamic appearance. The aerodynamic cabin sits on top of the wide, muscular rear fenders and is sleek and stylish, while also offering a sense of spacious utility.

The 2021 Corolla Cross’s distinctive look and feel is completed by its comfortable interior, which displays exceptional quality and finishing throughout. The cabin is accentuated with an extensive range of features such as an automatic air conditioning system with Smart-flow (S-FLOW) control, which achieves greater comfort and enhanced fuel efficiency by providing air conditioning to occupied seats only.

Passengers also benefit from AC vents for the rear seat, a one-touch moonroof, a 7-inch color Multi- Information Display (MID) in the cluster gauge, 8-inch multimedia display integrated with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, six-speaker audio system, 60:40 split-folding rear seats, and smart entry and start systems.

The vehicle’s thrilling drive personality is brought to life by a new electrified hybrid system that combines two power sources. Its 1.8-liter Atkinson-cycle petrol engine produces 97 hp and a peak torque of 142 Nm, working in tandem with two electric motors that generate 71 hp and 163 Nm of torque, with a combined power of 121 hp. The system is mated to an Electrically Controlled Continuously Variable Transmission (E-CVT) that contributes to an outstanding fuel consumption value of 23.7km/L. Drivers can also choose between ECO, Power, and Normal driving modes to suit their driving styles. In addition, a separately-switchable EV Mode can be combined with any of these three driving modes, for a silent and emission-free driving at low speeds and for short distances.

The all-new model offers exceptional cabin quietness and smooth acceleration, especially when accelerating from a stand-still. The vehicle can be driven entirely on electrical power with zero-fuel consumption and tailpipe emissions, or by combining the power generated from the petrol engine and two electric motors, depending on its speed and driver behavior. The hybrid- electric batteries are continuously charged by the petrol engine or when decelerating and braking, eliminating the need to plug in a power cord. The HEV features a host of advanced technologies, yet drives like any conventional vehicle and does not require special fuel.

The all-new Corolla Cross draws on Toyota’s strong heritage of advanced hybrid-electric technology. Electrification of vehicles has been a cornerstone of the company’s business since 1997. Since then, Toyota has successfully launched a variety of HEVs, leading the way to a steady growth in the adoption of its environmentally friendly vehicles and pushing cumulative sales to over 16 million. Combined, this enormous sales record represents a reduction of around 139 million tons of CO2 compared to the sales of equivalent conventional vehicles and underscores the tremendous support of Toyota’s customers for this eco-friendly approach.

As with any other Toyota model, safety remains a top priority for the all-new Corolla Cross. The vehicle’s advanced safety system is complemented by Toyota Safety Sense, an advanced safety technology package that includes Pre-Collision System (PCS), Dynamic Radar Cruise Control (DRCC), Lane Departure Alert (LDA), Lane Tracing Assist (LTA), and Automatic High Beam (AHB). In addition, the car features a comprehensive array of safety features to protect its occupants such as seven SRS airbags (including side-curtain airbags and driver’s knee airbag), Vehicle Stability Control (VSC), Blind Spot Monitor (BSM), Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA), and Tire Pressure Warning System (TPWS), among many others.

A choice of seven exciting exterior hues add to the all-new Corolla Cross’s striking visual appeal, including Celestite Gray Metallic, Super White 2, White Pearl CS, Silver ME, Gray ME, Black MC, and Red M.M. Meanwhile, the interior is available in earthy Terra Rossa, with optional leather or fabric materials. The vehicle’s eye-catching exterior is accentuated by 17-inch alloy wheels.

For more information, visit toyota.com.kw, call 1803803, or follow @toyotakw on Instagram.