All-new Corolla setting new standards in its class

All-new Corolla setting new standards in its class (Abridged version)

• 10th generation of world best-seller
• Dynamic new design boosts appeal
• Interior space and comfort “one class above”
• All new platform
• Innovative engine line-up

The all-new Toyota Corolla is the 10th generation of the worldwide best-seller that has become a symbol of Toyota’s core values of superior quality, style, driving pleasure and innovation.

Built on a new platform, the latest Corolla is designed to appeal to European customers seeking a classic sedan configuration with dynamic styling and excellent driving pleasure. At the heart of new Corolla is the concept of offering customers a superior quality sedan which is “a class above” in comfort, space and quality.

Soichiro Okudaira, Executive chief engineer for the new Corolla explains: “All drivers, regardless of age, are sensitive to dynamic, high quality styling that provides a sense of luxury. Our new and strong design, combined with excellent driving dynamics, should sweep away the stereotype of Corolla as a good car that lacks driver appeal.I am confident that we have developed a car that will stir great excitement the moment you see it.”

New Corolla looks distinctive and different with a strong road presence; even when viewed from a distance. The car has been designed from the outset as a sedan and achieves a one-form style by moving the base of the A-pillar forward and integrating the trunk space within the slope of the rear pillars.

It is clear this is not a hatchback with a trunk added as an afterthought – indeed the sleek, dynamic look is further enhanced by the increased overall length, low roof profile and slim pillars.

Maximum interior space and a premium quality passenger environment are key features of the new Corolla. The promise of “a class above” is clear from the moment one opens the door of an interior that portrays a sense of spaciousness beyond actual space.

New Corolla presents a natural and comfortable environment for both driver and passengers. Space around the driver and passengers has been increased with more head and leg room, leading to a couple distance between the front and rear seat of 900 mm.

Rear passengers benefit from the flat floor to increase comfort while the hip points of the driver and front seat passenger have been raised to ensure a more natural seating position and better visibility.

The width and depth of the luggage compartment have been increased and the overall capacity maximised by reducing unused gaps between the lining and the body surface.

All new platform

• Excellent driver control and involvement
• Exceptional low noise and vibration level
• Top ratings for occupant safety

There has been a new focus on driver involvement with improved stability, responsive handling and precise steering control based on the car’s all-new platform.

The newly developed, compact and highly rigid front suspension is an L-arm MacPherson strut which reduces noise and vibration while ensuring superior straight line stability and excellent steering response. At the rear, the new torsion beam suspension accommodates the vehicle packaging while also contributing to handling, stability and ride comfort.

New Corolla has an all-new braking system to complement the new platform and suspension and offer effective active safety in all driving conditions. Braking control under all road conditions is provided by the standard Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) with Electronic Brake force Distribution (EBD) and Brake assist (BA). The Vehicle Stability Control (VSC) with Traction Control (TRC) is available either standard or optional depending on market.

New Corolla is quiet and smooth on the road as it delivers on its promise of ‘a class above’. Exceptionally low levels of Noise, Vibration and Harshness (NVH) lift the new Corolla well above current C-segment sedan norms and will give occupants a clear sense of being in a car from an upper segment.

It is anticipated the new Corolla will be awarded top level ratings in Euro-NCAP crash tests and passive safety features have been carefully designed to offer maximum protection in a wide range of collision scenarios. The new Corolla is available with up-to nine airbags including a driver’s knee airbag.

Considerable work has gone into re-engineering the bonnet and frontal areas of Corolla to reduce the effect of pedestrian impact. The rear edge of the bonnet (where an adult head might land) now features a crushable structure and, on the front edge of the bonnet, the bonnet catch moved down and away from the design surface.

Innovative engine line-up

• All-new 1.6 Dual VVT-i petrol
• Powerful D-4D 125 diesel
• Choice of three transmissions

Two new innovative engines, one petrol and one diesel, will be available in the new Toyota Corolla line-up.

The 1.6-litre petrol is an all-new dual VVT-i engine developing excellent performance and low fuel consumption. The new, dual VVT-i technology continually adjusts both the intake and exhaust valve timing of the engine to ensure maximum efficiency under all operating conditions.

This results in significantly increased torque at low and medium engine speeds with increased power output at higher speeds. At the same time, it enhances fuel consumption and reduces emissions.

A new diesel engine to the Corolla range is the latest generation 2.0 D-4D 125. This engine will be available with a diesel particulate filter (DPF) which not only purifies hydrocarbons (HC) and carbon monoxide (CO) like conventional catalysts but also enable simultaneous reduction of particulate matter. The DPF is ‘self-cleaning’ and requires no long-term maintenance.

For maximum economy, the 1.4-litre D-4D from the current model is carried over to the new Corolla range. To complement the 1.6-litre petrol, the 1.4-litre VVT-i from the current Corolla range will also be carried over.

New Corolla offers a choice of transmissions, each carefully selected to suit the characteristics of the engine output. A conventional five-speed manual gearbox is available with both petrol engines and the 1.4-litre D-4D while the high performance D-4D 125 is available with a six speed manual.

Drivers wanting a more relaxed driving style can choose the MultiMode transmission with paddle shift which is available with either the 1.6-litre VVT-i or the 1.4-litre D-4D engines.

Chief engineer, Toshi Ezaki, concludes: “I am confident the driving pleasure and excellent performance of the new Corolla can be enjoyed in town, on high speed roads and out on the open highway.”

Production of the 10th generation Corolla for Europe will be based in the Takaoka plant in Japan and the car will go on sale in Europe in the first quarter of 2007.

Corolla – the ten generations