Toyota Corolla sedan 2019 (E190 series) analysis

Toyota unveiled all new Toyota Auris E190 (Corolla hatchback) in Europe at 2018 Geneva Motor Show, this car will be launched in North America as Toyota Corolla hatchback. For the sedan version, I believe the all new Toyota Corolla sedan (Corolla Altis in Malaysia) will be based on Auris, it could be eventually a sedan version of Toyota Auris.

From early 2000s until today, the original Toyota Corolla was divided into different models. We always see different Toyota Corolla in different region of the world. In Japan, we only see Toyota Corolla Axio which is totally different with South East Asia/Australia/Europe/American Toyota Corolla (named Corolla Altis too), based on current generation.

For previous generation E140, Toyota Corolla Axio and Altis were nearly same, just Axio is narrow-body Corolla, sized between a Vios and Altis, meanwhile Altis is wide-body Corolla. Toyota Corolla Altis actually is a compact sedan with some luxury elements from a standard Corolla, it is considered the successor of Toyota Sprinter and Corolla Ceres. Same as its rival, Nissan Sylphy, it is a luxury version of Nissan Pulsar/Sunny to succeed Nissan Presea in 2000. Although E150 Corolla has same appearance with E140 wide-body Corolla, but E150 is using different platform (New MC platform).

Due to high demand of consumers who wants some luxury specs, but in budget price, Toyota makes Corolla Altis for export markets, which is higher class than its previous generation E110, meanwhile unreleated same segment vehicle Toyota Premio does not only succeed Corona, it also serves Corolla Altis position where is unavailable in Japan.

Current Toyota Corolla (ignore Auris) has two different model with different sizes and chassis code, Axio E160 and Altis E170. In my opinion, Corolla Axio has same size with Toyota Vios, so position is below than South East Asia Altis.

Corolla E170

Corolla Axio E160

- Corolla Axio: Japan, Macau and Hong Kong 
- Corolla (with Altis): America, rest Asia, Australia, New Zealand, Europe, Middle East

Now Toyota Corolla is going to be due in 2019, so new generation will be debuted soon.

Because Toyota has too much different models with C-segment vehicles, Toyota can launch Auris Sedan 2019 (All new Corolla sedan) for global markets. It means Toyota Corolla will become only one model around the world, regardless Asia, Japan, Europe and America, but with some minor different specifications. I can guess that the all new Toyota Corolla 2019 (E190 series) will replace Corolla E170 (Altis) and Axio E160.

I feel JDM Corolla Axio E160 looks like a Toyota Vios XP150, but it is more to a subcompact sedan (B-segment), rather than compact sedan (C-segment).

The all new Corolla 2019 does not only replace its existing E170 generation and Axio E160, it will also replace JDM Toyota Premio/Allion at the same time which was not really popular in Japan.

Toyota Premio T260

Previously Toyota Corona was a sedan which positioned between Corolla and Camry, but it was halted and succeeded by Premio, meanwhile Allion replaced Carina. For the market, Toyota Premio/Allion was only sold in Japan, it was not exported to any countries officially to avoid internal competition with same size Corolla Altis. Toyota Premio currently has two generations, T240 was the first generation, and T260 was the second generation which looks like shortened version of Camry XV40 (aka baby Camry). T260 Premio was launched in 2007, but facelifted in 2010 and 2016. In Japanese domestic markets, Toyota Premio was positioned between Corolla Axio and Camry to fight over Nissan Sylphy and Honda Civic. Actually Toyota Premio T260 is already 11 years old, I don't think Toyota will make new generation of Premio for Japan home markets anymore, instead they will make Corolla 2019 as Premio replacement soon.

Since Toyota Auris is using TNGA platform (GA-C), all different Toyota Corolla models will be combined into single model soon as Toyota Corolla is a first "world car" around the world.

Toyota Corolla Axio + Toyota Corolla E170 + Toyota Premio T260>> Toyota Corolla 2019 (E190)

Toyota Corolla 2019?

Does Toyota Crown Concept become replacement for Lexus GS and ES?

Recently Toyota had unveiled Crown Concept (S220) at Tokyo Auto Show last year. At the same time, there are many rumors about Lexus will halt GS and ES, then replace these two mid-size luxury sedan with a brand new model, likely second half of 2018 or 2019. Many reports state that Crown Concept will be the successor of Lexus GS and ES.

In the past, Toyota Crown designs were very conservative for its previous generations. Until 2012, Toyota Crown S210 (looks like bigger version Camry XV50) was less conservative, its variant Toyota Crown Athlete looked more sportier. For 2018 model, the all-new Toyota Crown S220 already breaks its conservative design, it looks very sporty. My first impression of this car is Toyota Crown has no more "uncle" looks. In addition, S220 Crown is likely suitable to target export markets.

Although Toyota models are overproduced, within a vehicle segment with many different models, but Toyota Crown will not be axed because it has a good history in Japan. 

Toyota Crown nameplate was used since 1955 until now, it is already 63 years over the generations. Moreover, Crown was the first ever Toyota car to be launched in USA from 1958 before launching of smaller Corona and Corolla. In Malaysia, Toyota Crown was imported by UMW Motor since early 1970s until late 1980s, from S60 until S130. Toyota Crown S120 was very popular as premium taxi and limousine in Malaysia 1980s.

Toyota Crown S120 Malaysia

Toyota Crown is executive sedan (E-segment), its main competitors are Nissan Cedric/Gloria/Fuga, Honda Legend, Mazda Luce, and Mitsubishi Debonair, even it competes also with BMW 5 Series, Audi A6 and Mercedes-Benz E-class. For export markets, Toyota Crown was unable to compete against Germany automakers, so Crown was withdrawn for export markets in 1980s. Crown position was filled by Lexus GS.

In 1991, Toyota launched sportier version of Toyota Crown S140, named as Toyota Aristo, it was rebadged as Lexus GS for export market to fight over BMW 5 Series, Mercedes E-Class, and Audi A6.

Lexus GS 1st generation (S140)

Now, let's talk about Lexus GS and ES.

Lexus GS and ES have same position within E-segment, but they have different targeted consumers. After launching of Lexus LS400 in 1989, Camry V20-based Lexus ES250 was the second model by Lexus below LS400 to fight over BMW 5 Series, actually ES targets executive groups, but GS targets consumers who wants sportier and luxury content.

Due to poor sales of Lexus GS in the world, Lexus likely decides to halt GS. In addition, because GS and ES have same position, Lexus is planning to launch a brand new model to replace GS and ES together. This means Lexus will kill off GS and ES, then send them "to the grave".

Recent Toyota Crown Concept S220 is using all new Toyota New Global Architecture (TNGA) platform, which also used on all new Lexus LS (XF50 generation), named as TNGA-L ("L" stands for luxury).

In my opinion, all-new Toyota Crown S220 can be rebadged as Lexus brand new model to replace GS and ES for export markets. This means Crown is returned for export markets after hiatus for few decades, but with Lexus badge. Over the past, Crown's conservative design did not fit to international taste well. In order to compete with BMW 5 Series, Mercedes E-Class, and Audi A6 well for export markets, Toyota launches Lexus GS to replace unattractive and competitive-less Crown, even ES joined the war together with GS to fight Germany luxury automakers within E-segment war.

Lexus GS was using Toyota Crown S-platform and chassis codes for its previous 3 generations:

- First generation: S140 (1991-1997)
- Second generation: S160 (1997-2005)
- Third generation: S190 (2005-2011)

Lexus GS (L10)

Fourth generation of Lexus GS is no longer based on Crown chassis codes, it is L10, launched in 2011.

L10 (2011-2018/19)

Another siblings of Lexus GS, it is called as ES. Lexus ES is based on Camry platform since 1989 until today, current Lexus ES was launched in 2012.

- First generation: V20 (1989-1991)
- Second generation: XV10 (1991-1996)
- Third generation: XV20 (1996-2001)
- Forth generation: XV30 (2001-2006)
- Firth generation: XV40 (2006-2012)
- Sixth generation: XV60 (2012-2018/19)

Lexus ES (XV60)

Current Lexus GS and ES was launched in 2011 and 2012 respectively. Seriously, these two models are due in 2018/19. From my view, if Lexus halts GS and then launch successor of ES, I don't think Lexus will continue to use either GS or ES for the successor. There can be another name by Lexus to succeed GS and ES next year. QS? ZS? KS? CS? FS? It's unknown yet.

The way Lexus to halt GS and ES by replacing with brand new model does not only save its development cost, but this also can reduce Toyota from making overproduction models which may not help on marketing sales. I guess Toyota will combine those overproduction E-segment sedans into a single model, like what Renault Nissan CEO Carlos Ghosn did, to combine Cedric, Leopard, and Gloria, even Cima into a single model, known as Nissan Fuga since 2004. In the future, Toyota will merge all different models within a vehicle segment into a single model to save development costs and reduce marketing failure.

So, Toyota Crown S220 will become another world strategic vehicle with Lexus nameplate after smaller Corolla and Camry.

In conclusion, it is still unofficial yet. By the way, we just wait and see the announcements from Toyota Motor Group.

Lexus GS + Lexus ES = Brand new Lexus model (Toyota Crown concept S220)?

The Lexus GS and ES replacement will be powered either 2500cc and 3500cc V6 engines, with hybrid option. Crown S220 could be featured with Lexus F Sport version to fight over Mercedes E AMG, BMW M5, and Audi RS5 or S5.