Why Don’t We Get Models like the Toyota Corolla Apex Edition?

Toyota has introduced the limited edition 2021 Corolla Apex Edition, but will it be coming here?

Limited to only 6,000 units for the United States, the Corolla Apex Edition comes with a unique blacked out bodykit, fog lamp covers, side mouldings, an optional spoiler, and contrasting bronze trim.

Further adding to the whole package are black mirror caps, a sporty exhaust system with a 3.5-inch stainless steel tip, as well as smoked taillights.

Offered in three colour options - Cement, Super White and Black Sand Pearl, the Corolla Apex Edition also features coil springs that lower the car by 15 mm, stabiliser bars, as well as 18-inch aluminium wheels.

Inside, key features include premium black fabric upholstery, heated front seats, as well as an 8-way power-adjustable driver’s seat with power lumbar support.

Power is supplied by the same 2.0 litre four-cylinder Dynamic Force engine as the other variants, making 169 hp and 205 Nm of torque. Paired to the mill is a choice of Dynamic-Shift CVT or a six-speed Intelligent Manual Transmission (iMT).

Meanwhile, all we have in Malaysia is two “uncle-spec” 1.8-litre variants priced at RM124k and RM134k without SST. While there is nothing wrong with what we get, it would be nice to see some sporty and special models arriving here since the Corolla nameplate has such a strong presence and following in Malaysia which begs the question, why do we never get something special like the Corolla Apex Edition?

Is it a question of cost? Is it a question of demand? 

Well, it is a bit of both actually, as unique models such as these are usually a result of initiatives taken by the brand only for a particular market where the car is doing very well, or if it has a very high demand.

Besides that, there is also the question of how much it would cost to produce a special model like the ones we see here, which would dictate how much the model will be sold for. So, with the additional accessories, if the selling price of the car is too high, nobody would buy it, which is often the case in very price-driven markets like Malaysia.