Toyota Malaysia to unveil the next big thing on March 25

KUALA LUMPUR: UMW Toyota Malaysia kickstarted the year 2021 with the launch of the all-new Toyota Fortuner and Innova last month, and now it is all set to bring another surprise for Malaysians. The company has recently dropped a teaser on its official website and social media handles, which reads “the next big thing” with a specific date mentioned i.e. March 25, 2021. 

Although there are no words about what it could be, we are strongly expecting the long-awaited 2021 Toyota Corolla Cross launch; the reasons are many. In its latest corporate presentation, UMWT confirmed that the all-new Corolla Cross will make its way to Malaysia in the second quarter of the year. The B-segment SUV was spotted a few times during trials on the local roads with UMW Toyota number plates.

The global debut of the SUV in our neighboring country Thailand was followed by the launch in other ASEAN markets including Indonesia and Vietnam, this is also one of the reasons for anticipating its soon launch. 

Here’s a quick recap of the 2021 Toyota Corolla Cross specifications, the SUV is based on the company’s new TNGA architecture, slotting between the C-HR and RAV4. It measures 4,460 mm in length, 1,620 mm in height, 1,825 mm in width, and has a wheelbase of 2640 mm. 

Standard kit includes LED headlights, LED tail lights, 18-inch dual-tone alloy wheels, a big infotainment touchscreen with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay compatibility, 4.2-inch multi-info display, dual-zone air-conditioning with rear vents, keyless entry, push-button start, reverse camera, six-way power-adjustable driver seat and leather upholstery. The bunch of safety features comprises seven airbags, an anti-lock braking system with electronic brake-force distribution, vehicle stability control, hill-start assist, and emergency stop signal.

Toyota offers the Corolla Cross in two engine options in Indonesia - one petrol and one hybrid mated to a CVT gearbox. The petrol version is fitted with a 1.8-litre Dual VVT-i naturally-aspirated four-popper mill generating a maximum power of 140 PS and a peak torque of 172 Nm. On the contrary, the hybrid trim has a combination of a 1.8-litre engine rated at 98 PS/145 Nm and an electric motor generating 72 PS/163 Nm. The setup produces 122 PS combinedly. Both versions are expected for the Malaysian market.

Well, this is just a guess for now; we will have to wait for UMWT to unbox the surprise on March 25, that’s just 10 days away.

Also read: A new Toyota EV coming soon