All-new Toyota Corolla here in August
The all-new Toyota Corolla will go on-sale in Australia in August with Toyota suggesting it’ll offer “a more rewarding driving experience”.
THE TOYOTA COROLLA has been an incredibly strong seller in this country, indeed since it went on-sale in 1967 more than 1.4 million have been sold here. The new Corolla, revealed at the Geneva Motor Show, follows the Prius, C-HR and Camry by being built off the Toyota New Global Architecture (TNGA) platform.
Toyota said using the new platform allowed the designers “the freedom to create a visually distinctive and individual look”. But it did more than that, it allowed the engineers to make the new car longer and wider and with a longer wheelbase; this should make for a roomier interior and set the vehicle up for improved handling dynamics.
Indeed, the new Corolla gets a much stiffer body shell, lower centre of gravity and a multi-link rear end across the range. This will likely mean a compromised boot space, or only a space saver spare (like the i30SR), but we’ll have to wait and see. The new Corolla measures 4370mm long (40mm longer) and 1450mm high (47mm shorter) and 1790mm wide (up 30mm).
Toyota said the new Corolla will get autonomous emergency braking and other “sophisticated functions” as standard.
The range will feature a new 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol engine making 126kW/205Nm and the latest version of Toyota’s 1.8-litre hybrid powertrain. Toyota reckons the petrol engine will rival the Prius for fuel efficiency…
Toyota Australia’s vice-president sales and marketing Sean Hanley said, “New Corolla hatch is a more premium and stylish car that guarantees a more rewarding driving experience and places a priority on the highest active and passive safety standards,” Mr Hanley said.
“These generational improvements have been made possible through TNGA, which is integral to the company’s mission to build ever-better cars that will excite a new generation of buyers,” he said.
“At the same time, Corolla retains the proven, dependable and safe reputation that has made it Australia’s top-selling passenger car for the past five years in a row.”
Question: Let’s ignore sales for the moment, do we think, from what we know, that the new Corolla can rival the likes of the i30 or Golf in the handling stakes?
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5 Comments
Is there any chance that Toyota Aust’ will also bring the new 2.0 litre Hybrid here?
It is meant to be more “sportier” than the 1.8 litre Hybrid.
Maybe. They’re not saying too much. Our Paul H spent a lot of time with Toyota at the Geneva Motor Show, so he might know more…but Toyota Oz never does what you’re hoping they’ll do. Sigh.
A CVT does not equal a rewarding driving experience.
I hope they have ditched it.
No they have not ditched it!
I am driving a Corolla rental car now. It’s not too bad. I haven’t noticed any torque steer. There’s enough power to enable overtaking on country roads. The handling is OK on the twisty bits. It’s an auto and I don’t like its normal mode. It seems to be set to knock 10kmh off whatever speed I’m trying to sit on. So I use the sports mode and the car then maintains highway speeds with a lighter throttle pressure and kickdown is nicer for overtaking.
Would I buy one? Maybe. There’s not enough driver leg room for me which I notice on long drives. Old habits die hard. And its not RWD.
So Toyota. Here’s the plan. Find a way to let the driver’s seat slip back another 50mm. Shoehorn in the Camry V6. Add a Commode style AWD system to turn an FWD into AWD. That would make the car even more appealing than it already is.