Toyota concept hints at effecient new Corolla

REVEALED Aerodynamic Tokyo concept car gives strong clues to the look of a forthcoming Corolla EV

- By Ellis Hyde

IT'S hard to believe, but this futuristic-looking concept offers our first peek at the next generation of the Toyota Corolla.

So far, the firm has only released these teaser images and confirmed this new Corolla Concept will be one of several creations it's bringing to the Tokyo Motor Show, which opens its doors on 30 October.

The concept has what appears to be a charging port on the front wing, suggesting this new Corolla is either going to feature plugin hybrid power - like the latest Toyota Prius - or it'll be purely electric.

Our money is on the latter because Toyota has started to expand its range of EVs, and an electric Corolla would give the Japanese brand a rival to the likes of the Kia EV4, Volkswagen ID.3 and Volvo EX30.

If true, we think an electric Corolla would be sold alongside the current hybrid-powered model, similar to what Toyota has already done with the C-HR hybrid crossover and its all-electric C-HR+ sibling.

We're a long way off an electric Corolla arriving in showrooms but we have a reasonable idea of what it might cost. For example, the current hybrid model starts from around £31,000. With the C-HR starting at a similar price point and the electric C-HR+ expected to be £5,000 more, a Corolla EV could open around the £36,000 mark.

You might struggle to tell that this is a Corolla because it has almost no resemblance to the current model. The sharp, angular nose design is similar to that of the C-HR+, but adds a full-width lightbar and vertical headlights. Meanwhile, the rear will have pixel-style lighting and a small ducktail spoiler, a bit like the one on the streamlined Hyundai Ioniq 6.

The concept isn't a traditional hatchback either, and has a more saloon-like shape, which would help boost efficiency if this really is an EV. Having the wheels pushed out to the corners will maximise cabin space.