UMW Toyota Motor (UMWT) has been teasing about a launch of “The Next Big Thing” for the past couple of days, but as is standard procedure to build hype around the launch, the posts provided zero context on what it actually is.
Well, the guessing game is now over, as the latest update on UMWT’s website and social media pages now show the tag line together with a silhouette of the Corolla Cross SUV, alongside a countdown to the official launch scheduled for next Thursday, 25th March.
The new Corolla Cross is an SUV that has a large C-segment footprint but targeted at mid-compact models such as Honda HR-V, Subaru XV, Mazda CX-30, Hyundai Tucson, the new Kia Seltos and of course, the new SUV leader, the Proton X50.
One of the key features of the Corolla Cross is the 440-litre luggage capacity, the largest in the segment. Thanks to the dashboard that is lifted directly from the Corolla sedan, all the features such as a seven-inch multi-information display, dual-zone climate control, smartphone-ready infotainment system as well as Toyota Safety Sense with Lane Tracing Assist and adaptive cruise control are expected to be available in this crossover.
Around the region, the new Toyota Corolla Cross is offered in hybrid and petrol variants, both displacing 1.8 litres. We shall find out next week if UMWT will bring the company’s self-charging hybrid back to their showrooms, with the last hybrid being the previous generation Toyota Camry 2.5 Hybrid (AVV50) that was also locally-assembled.
