Toyota Corolla Hybrid Flex-Fuel Debuts In India As A Test Car

Toyota Corolla Hybrid flex-fuel version has officially been revealed in India. It will be used as a tech demonstrator as well as for testing purposes.

• Toyota latest-gen Corolla hybrid showcased is bi-fuel
• It will be used as a test car for the ethanol fuel testing

Toyota has showcased the first flex-fuel car in India. The Toyota Corolla Hybrid has been unveiled by the Union Minister Mr. Nitin Gadkari. It is the first flex-fuel car in the country as well. However, this car is just a prototype that has been brought to study the potential of ethanol fuel in India. Additionally, it will also be used for promotion of the flex-fuel in India by the company.

Toyota Corolla Flex-Fuel Details

Speaking of the car displayed, it is the current-gen model. However, Toyota has not launched it yet in India. The new shape of the Corolla embraces a big smiling face front design. The large sleek chrome front grille connects the stretched-out LED headlights. Additionally, the bumper and the bonnet lines are also redone. Similarly, the rear end uses new LED taillights that are connected via a new boot lid design.

Meanwhile, it is the powertrain of it that is the most interesting bit. It comes equipped with the 1.8-Lt, naturally aspirated petrol engine. This engine makes a peak power of 101 bhp and a peak torque of 142.2 Nm. It is the same one as seen on the current model in India but in a detuned state. However, a permanent magnet synchronous electric motor and a 1.3 kWh battery pack are fitted along with it. This electric motor makes 72 bhp of power and 162.8 Nm of torque.

The mix of this tech helps in running the Corolla hybrid on ethanol-based fuel. According to the company, it can run on 20-80 percent of ethanol-based fuel types. This car has been a great success for Toyota in global markets like Brazil. Hence, to find out the potential of the Indian market and tech; the test car has debuted. Meanwhile, it will also be used for promotional events as well.

Verdict

As the bi-fuel options are getting utter popular in India, we feel that the ethanol option is a step ahead. However, time will only tell about the actual possibilities of the flex-fuel future in India. Meanwhile, Toyota is also readying its new Innova HyCross Hybrid MPV for India. It is expected to launch in the coming weeks. For more such updates, keep following 91Wheels.