Toyota Motor Philippines previously standardised the hybrid powertrain in the crossover derivative of the Corolla, the Corolla Cross, but not in the Corolla sedan, marketed locally as the Corolla Altis.

Two years later, the company is set to introduce additional Corolla Altis HEV variants.

At present, the only hybrid Corolla sedan available is the Corolla Altis GR-S HEV, priced at PHP 1,746,000 (US$ 29,950).

It features recalibrated power steering and suspension components and is positioned as a sport-oriented compact sedan, which may not meet the requirements of buyers seeking a more conventional and lower-priced option.

New certifications filed with the Department of Energy (DOE) indicate that the Corolla Altis 1.8-litre E HEV and Corolla Altis 1.8-litre G HEV will be added to the local line-up. This would result in the hybrid powertrain being offered across the Corolla Altis range, similar to the Corolla Cross.

Within the compact sedan segment, this may increase competition with models such as the Honda Civic, which offers the e:HEV powertrain exclusively in its RS variant, as well as the Hyundai Elantra and Mazda3.

According to the DOE certification, the new variants will use the same hybrid system found in the Corolla Altis 1.8-litre GR-S HEV.

This consists of a 1.8-litre 2ZR-FXE Atkinson-cycle petrol engine producing 99 PS and 142 Nm of torque, paired with an electric motor generating 73 PS and 163 Nm of torque. The combined system output is 124 PS. Government filings also confirm the use of a 0.83 kWh lithium-ion battery.

Full specifications have not yet been disclosed. The new HEV variants are expected to largely match their non-hybrid counterparts, with the addition of an electronic parking brake with auto hold as standard equipment.

The Corolla Altis 1.8-litre E HEV is expected to include 16-inch alloy wheels, halogen headlamps, no front fog lamps, fabric seats with manual adjustment, and no advanced driver assistance systems.

Expected features include automatic climate control, LED headlamps, a push-start system, a reversing camera, and an 8-inch infotainment display.

The Corolla Altis 1.8-litre G HEV is expected to be positioned between the E and GR-S variants. Anticipated features include 17-inch alloy wheels, leather seats with power adjustment for the driver, dual-zone climate control, a 360-degree camera, and Toyota safety sense.

Current pricing for the Corolla Altis range starts at PHP 1,213,000 for the 1.8-litre E, increases to PHP 1,333,000 for the non-hybrid GR-S, and reaches PHP 1,746,000 for the GR-S HEV.

The existing price difference indicates that pricing for the GR-S HEV may remain unchanged, while the new 1.8-litre E HEV and 1.8-litre G HEV variants may be positioned between the non-hybrid and GR-S HEV models.

The Corolla Altis HEV may be priced similarly to the Hyundai Elantra Hybrid, which starts at PHP 1,480,000 for the GLS and rises to PHP 1,680,000 for the Premium variant.

Estimated pricing places the Corolla Altis 1.8-litre E HEV at approximately PHP 1.4 million and the 1.8-litre G HEV at around PHP 1.6 million.