Hybrid expansion After the Europe-only Auris goes hybrid, expect the Corolla sibling to be next on Toyota's eco-friendly agenda

If you don't count the Prius - a dedicated model from Toyota with petrol/electric drivetrain - the D-segment (mid-size) Camry was the first mainstream family car to get hybrid power and is now available in the US, Australia and Asia including Thailand.
And now that Toyota has previewed such an eco-friendly system in the C-segment (compact) Auris as seen here thinly disguised as a concept, it's quite obvious that the Corolla would be getting one too.
While the Auris is a five-door hatchback tailored for mainly for Europe, the Corolla is the four-door saloon sibling which most global markets get like Thailand.
In fact, Toyota has made it a point in recent months that it wants to offer a hybrid version in all of its model offerings by 2020.
Does that mean the Corolla will get the hybrid unit of the Auris?

Roof-mounted solar panels recharges portable phones and audio essentials.

Very likely, if you take into consideration the existing engineering trends of Toyota. The Auris will get the Prius's 99hp 1.8-litre petrol/electric combination along with the CVT transmission. Actually, that basic four-pot petrol is used in the Corolla in Japan and will soon replace the more dated 1.8, seen in the Thai Corolla.
The Camry Hybrid uses a similar formula in which the petrol engine is a 2.4-litre petrol head found in the regular Camry and is coupled to two electric motors.
Toyota stresses that the Auris Hybrid is like the Camry Hybrid and Prius where the system is deemed as "full hybrid". In other words, it intends to say that full hybrid can run solely on either petrol or electric power, or a combination of both.
Are there more tricks than just the hybrid engine itself?
Since the Auris HSD is a concept, some features may prove to be costly to install into a mainstream model that's not supposed to carry much of a premium like the committed Prius. Otherwise, it could scare away buyers.
The items in reference are underbody panels, rear diffuser and wheels with slippery surface to enhance aerodynamics. Other measures include a 20mm lower ride height and low rolling resistance tyres.
Like the Prius, the Auris HSD features a roof with solar panels that generate electricity to recharged portable phones and audio accessories. In the future, Toyota elaborates that such a sun-inducing system would additionally recharge the hybrid's batteries.
The last energy-saving feature is LED lights, used on both the front and rear ends.
Will it be cleaner and more economical than an Ecocar?
Toyota wasn't very exact with the figures of the hybrid-powered Auris, but only says that emissions will be less than 100g/km. So, if the Prius emits 89g/km and achieves 25kpl as claimed by the manufacturer, then the Auris - and even the Corolla - could achieve similar levels of emissions and economy.
Yes, these numbers are better than Ecocar's requirement of not more than 120g/km and at least 20kpl. But don't be misled. A hybrid-powered Corolla won't be meant to be as an Ecocar candidate in Thailand. The Thai government has capped engine size of petrol-sippers at 1.3-litre.
Toyota wouldn't care either because while Ecocar is subject to 17% excise tax, the Corolla Hybrid - like Camry Hybrid - attracts a lower 10%.
Hmm... and when is the Corolla Hybrid coming out?
When Motoring first drove the Camry Hybrid, Toyota sources weren't reluctant to hide that the Corolla will be the next model to go hybrid - and in this generation with the possibility of also being assembled in Thailand.
As the Camry received the hybrid treatment at mid-life, expect the same to happen with the Corolla. And that could mean in less than two years for the Corolla in Thailand.
For a million baht or so: hybrid-equipped Toyota Corolla or diesel-powered Ford Focus? Let the conundrum continue.