2013 The new Toyota Corolla DPL: Safety

The new Corolla has been engineered to provide the highest active and passive safety standards, and enhanced pedestrian impact protection. The new Toyota targets a maximum, 5-star rating in the latest, more stringent Euro NCAP crash test programme.

The collision safety performance of each component has been maximised through extensive CAE (Computer Aided Engineering) and repeated experimental prototype testing.

The high-strength cabin has been designed to provide optimum front, rear and side collision performance. Numerous energy absorbing front components offer significantly improved pedestrian protection. And the interior is comprehensively equipped with SRS airbags, whiplash prevention headrests and a child restraint system.

Active safety has been enhanced through the adoption of a next generation ABS system and a shorter brake pedal stroke for better feel and system response. Traction Control (TRC) and Vehicle Stability Control (VSC) are available, and Hill Start Assist Control (HAC2) is fitted to vehicles equipped with VSC.

PASSIVE SAFETY

High Strength Cabin

The new Corolla's bodyshell features an increase in use of high tensile steel to combine enhanced strength with lighter weight and greater rigidity. A multiple-load-path front structure has been adopted to effectively disperse impact load through the frame, minimising cabin deformation in a frontal collision.

The same principle applies to side impact protection, the multiple load-path-structure featuring strengthened side members, cross members and roof reinforcement.

Pedestrian Protection

The adoption of numerous energy absorbing components offers significantly improved pedestrian protection in the event of a frontal impact.

Soften the impact of the head, the front of the bonnet features an energy-absorbing inner reinforcement structure, the fender is mounted on an energy absorbing bracket, and both the cowl and cowl louvre have also been designed with an energy-absorbing structure.

Leg impact performance has also been improved through the adoption of energy-absorbing structures within the front bumper cover, grille and the leading edge of the bonnet.

Occupant Restraint

The new Corolla is equipped with 7 SRS airbags driver and front passenger airbags, a driver's knee airbag, twin-chamber front side airbags and full-length side curtain shield airbags.

All front and rear seats feature three-point, ELR (Emergency Locking Retractor) seatbelts. The ELR is designed to lock up the seatbelt when excessive load is applied over a preset value. Driver and front passenger seatbelts further benefit from a pre-tensioner and force limiter function. During a collision, the force limiter fractionally reduces seatbelt tension to lower occupant chest impact forces.

The Corolla is fitted with Whiplash Injury Lessening (WIL) front seats to reduce whiplash injuries during rear end collisions. Should a rear impact of sufficient velocity occur, the seat structure allows the occupant's upper body to sink backwards, matching the movement of the lower body to that of the head to reduce the risk of a whiplash injury.

An enhanced child restraint system allows for either the belt or ISO fixing of a wide range of seats for children of all ages.

ACTIVE SAFETY

Braking and Stability Control Systems

The new Corolla's servo assisted, next-generation ABS braking system features new, 277 mm ventilated front discs and 270 mm solid rear discs. The front brake pads have been upgraded to combine more effective performance with a reduction in NVH under operation.

The braking system incorporates a new, compact and lightweight design of brake actuator, a new master cylinder, low-expansion brake hoses and a link-type brake pedal with a reduced pedal stroke for enhanced response and feel.

The vehicle is equipped, as standard, with an Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) incorporating Electronic Brakeforce Distribution (EBD) and Brake Assist (BA). Traction Control (TRC) and Vehicle Stability Control (VSC) are available, and an improved Hill Start Assist Control is fitted to vehicles equipped with VSC. It now operates brakes for maximum 2 seconds after the driver releases the brake pedal to completely avoid a move downward.

EBD ensures that the most effective brake force is applied to each wheel, according to road conditions. By preventing the wheels from locking, ABS helps to maintain sure-footed stability during cornering and braking.

BA detects sudden or 'panic' braking and adds pressure if the driver fails to apply sufficient force during emergency braking.

TRC monitors and controls the amount of power that is applied to the road through the car's wheels. If the system detects that one or more wheels spins, it instantly determines the best way to restore traction to that wheel, either by decreasing the power being sent to the wheel that is about to spin or, in more extreme cases, momentarily braking the wheel until it regains traction.

VSC is designed to prevent loss of car control when entering a corner too fast or in slippery conditions which might lead to a skid. Via sensors monitoring car body yaw, longitudinal and lateral acceleration, steering angle, wheel speed and brake pressure, the system assesses vehicle stability and the proximity of either an excessive understeer or oversteer slide.

The system restores stability by automatically adjusting engine output and applying smoothly modulated braking to the appropriate wheel individually, helping the driver to restore vehicle stability.