Toyota aims to dominate Europe's compact SUV segment with the Corolla Cross, which will be positioned between its CH-R and RAV4 models.
The Corolla Cross will help Toyota reach its goal of 400,000 sales in the compact SUV category with a share of 9 percent across its European markets, including Russia, said Harold Paton, Toyota Motor Europe's head of product and marketing for larger cars.
The new car will "complete our SUV lineup," Paton told reporters at a media event in Brussels on Tuesday. "Whereas the Toyota C-HR appeals to a more-style orientated customer, the all-new Corolla Cross is a robust and practical SUV," he said.
Toyota Europe CEO Matt Harrison said the Corolla Cross is pitched at customers who might be put off by the compromises of the CH-R's coupe styling
"We are confident that when you look at where CH-R is playing there still significant space for the product like Corolla Cross that's packaged more efficiently to meet the need of families. It's a practical solution rather than an emotional decision," he said.
Toyota has fitted the Corolla Cross with its fifth-generation hybrid system that gives more torque and more power.
The car's hybrid drivetrain includes the option of all-wheel drive with the addition of a second electric motor on the rear axle.
The lithium ion battery is 40 percent smaller but the overall power for the 2.0-liter engine goes up to 197 hp compared to 178 hp for the equivalent system on the Corolla hatchback. The boost gives the car a 0 to 100 kph (62 mph) acceleration time of 8.1 seconds, the company said. No CO2 emissions figure was given.
The Corolla Cross is a global car built on Toyota's TNGA-C platform. The U.S. version debuted earlier this year, while the Chinese version was launched in November at the Guangzhou auto show.
The European Corolla Cross will be built in Japan, but Toyota will review that decision at a later date. "It could end up being localized for Europe," a spokesman said.
Toyota currently builds hatchback and station wagon versions of the Corolla at its plant in Burnaston, England. The CH-R is produced in Turkey and the RAV4 in Japan.
