Toyota Corolla wagon under question for Australia

The new-generation Toyota Corolla range could potentially expand to include hatch, sedan and wagon body-styles. 

Toyota Australia has already launched the new-generation hatchback, and the sedan is due to arrive at the end of 2019. But the brand has currently ruled out the so-called ‘Touring Sports' wagon version of the Corolla range, primary because it's built in the UK for the European market.

Toyota Australia product public relations manager, Orlando Rodriguez, told CarsGuide that as it currently stands, the Corolla wagon "is definitely off the radar", but that could change if production was available out of Japan instead of Europe.

The Corolla hatch is built in Japan, while the current Corolla sedan comes out of Thailand - both of which are considerably more affordable than Europe when it comes to sourcing vehicles. The new-generation sedan will switch back to Japan.

It's not a simple task to ‘switch on' wagon production ex-Japan, according to Rodriguez. He told us the factory would need to be modified to build the wagon.

This news comes on the back of a new rugged-looking wagon version of the Corolla Touring Sports wagon, known as the Trek, which is set to make its public debut at the 2019 Geneva motor show in early March. The model is a tie-up with bicycle maker Trek, and the new model is said to appeal to "people who enjoy active lifestyles and outdoor pursuits".

It gets a 20mm suspension hike, wheel-arch flares, new model-specific wheels, roof racks, underbody protection and rear privacy glass. There are Trek badges, too, while inside there are model-unique two-tone fabric seats and "wood deco" elements.

The Corolla Touring Sports wagon is set to make its debut at the 2019 Geneva motor show in early March.

It isn't the first time Trek has tied up with a car maker - in the late 1990s the cycle company aligned with Volkswagen for the Polo Trek, which came with a mountain bike included in the purchase price. As far as we can tell, there are no Trek bikes included with the Toyota.

With Toyota set to introduce an all-new RAV4 model in May this year, the appearance of any rugged wagon in showrooms is slimmer than that of a standard version, were one to be made in Japan. We'll have to wait and see what happens on that front.

Would you like to see the Toyota Corolla wagon sold in Australia? Let us know in the comments section below.