Earlier this year Indus Motor Company (IMC) revealed its plans to launch the first Hybrid SUV in Pakistan which will be giving competition to Kia Sportage and, in future to upcoming Hyundai Tucson & Proton X70.
Related: What’s Cooking at Toyota Indus?
We discussed possible options in our earlier post regarding which Toyota SUV IMC intends to launch in Pakistan. These include the C-HR hybrid, RAV4 hybrid as well as a new Yaris-based crossover SUV, however according to the information provided by the company which reads:
“The new SUV will make its global debut this year while the best thing is, it will go on sale in Pakistan alongside.”
The above statement rules out the possibility of C-HR and RAV4 hybrid since they are already available in global markets and have made their debuts long ago, whereas Yaris Cross cannot be pitted against the likes of Kia Sportage. However the debut of the all new 4th gen Toyota Harrier in June 2020 opened up the debate once again. But interestingly the new Harrier comes with a 2.5L A25A-FXS hybrid setup with no 1.8L hybrid option in the lineup. According to IMC however, their new Hybrid SUV will have a 1.8L engine, and currently there is no SUV in Toyota’s portfolio that comes with a 1.8L hybrid powertrain on offer.
Related: All New Toyota Harrier Goes on Sale in Japan
The information which IMC shared earlier reads:
“Where Kia Sportage and Hyundai Tuscon have a 2.0L engine, the new Hybrid SUV will have a 1.8L engine. However since it is a Hybrid vehicle coupled with an electric motor, it will give a combined output of a 2.4L capacity engine. It will be environmentally friendly and will benefit the consumers in terms of fuel consumption.”
However yesterday Toyota has debuted an all new SUV called as the Corolla Cross in Thailand and with that, the mystery regarding IMC’s new SUV seems to have been solved since the Corolla Cross comes equipped with a 1.8L hybrid powetrain setup, and as indicated by IMC earlier, the vehicle will be making its global debut this year, which the Corolla Cross just has.
Related: Toyota Corolla Cross Debuts in Thailand
Furthermore IMC is in process of introducing the 12th gen Corolla sedan in Pakistan. Spy shots of camouflaged test mules have already made it to the internet. Both Corolla sedan and the Corolla Cross sits on the same TNGA platform and share many parts, mechanical components as well as the interior which will enable IMC to hit two birds with one stone. The company can build the two vehicles on the same assembly line which will save them costs.
However the most important thing is price. In Thailand the Corolla Cross is priced from THB 989,000 (PKR 52.59 lac) to up to THB 1,199,000 (PKR 63.76 lac) whereas the local assembled Kia Sportage is available here between PKR 48.99 lac and PKR 53.99 lac. It will be interesting to see how IMC will price the Corolla Cross if its launched here, and whether the company will compromise on features & equipment to bring the price down, we will have to wait to find out.
Toyota Corolla Cross
In a time when crossover and SUVs are rapidly becoming popular all over the world and in Pakistan too, considering the fact that they offer higher ground clearance which aids well in driving over miserable roads, abnormally extruded speed breakers or paving their way through rain floods, the crossover & SUVs have a bright future here. It will indeed be a good move by IMC to bring the Corolla Cross here that will certainly give tough competition to the likes of Kia Sportage but pricing will sure be crucial.
Related: 12th Gen Toyota Corolla in Pakistan: What to Expect?
As per previously shared information, the Corolla Cross will initially be imported as CBU, however depending on its success the company will consider assembling it locally. If all goes well, the Toyota Corolla Cross will be introduced here towards the end of this year, stay tuned to CarSpiritPK for more information.
A computer animation professional with over 23 years of industry experience having served in leading organizations, TV channels & production facilities in Pakistan. An avid car enthusiast and petrolhead with an affection to deliver quality content to help shape opinions. Formerly written for PakWheels as well as major publications including Dawn. Founder of CarSpiritPK.com
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