Toyota revealed the Yaris Cross last week and the brand has been rumoured to be evaluating the RAV4 for the Indian market, but new spied pictures of a crossover compact SUV have emerged on the internet which leads us to believe that the brand might be working on a compact SUV for the South East Asian market. The C-SUV is likely to be positioned below the RAV4 and above the recently unveiled Yaris Cross and rumoured to be dubbed as ‘Corolla Cross’.
The Corolla Cross is likely to borrow design cues from both the RAV4 and the Yaris Cross and is likely to be underpinned by the TNGA (Toyota New Generation Architecture) platform. Size-wise the SUV is expected to match the Corolla Altis and feature similar equipment on the interiors. The spied test mule under heavy camouflage appears similar to the RAV4 but it is being speculated that the SUV is likely to get simplified design and styling in the production version, to keep its price in check for sale in developing markets and a more feasible option to the C-HR.
Pictures of the front end are scarce at the moment it is difficult to hypothesize anything further at this moment but the C-SUV is expected to receive the new-generation grille design with a vertical apron and feature equipment such as LED headlamps.
In the engine department, the Corolla Cross could get a 1.8-litre 4-cylinder petrol engine with mild hybrid technology that produces 121 hp of power, a conventional 1.8-litre 4-cylinder petrol unit or a 2.0-litre 4-cylinder petrol engine that produces 161 hp of power on the standard Toyota Corolla sold in the North American market.
The Corolla Cross is expected to be officially revealed by the end of 2020 or early 2021.
In related news, the Japanese carmaker is likely to introduce the rebadged version of the Maruti Suzuki Vitara Brezza which could be called the ‘urban Cruiser’ in the Indian market around the festive season this year.