Toyota Corolla Press Kit

Toyota has launched a new fully imported Corolla range.

The new range represents both a generational change for Corolla sedan in Australia and a world-wide upgrade for Corolla Seca (liftback) models.

The new Corolla has improved safety, comfort, features and product appeal.

The generational change in Corolla sedan (from seventh to eighth generation) has brought improvements to safety, interior space, ride, handling, aerodynamics and NVH.

Exterior changes to Corolla Seca include a new front mask, new wheel cap design and new paint colours.

Interior improvements include new trim, new seats for sedan models and new audio systems.

There are 14 new Corolla models, with the choice of two body styles and five-speed manual or four-speed automatic transmission.

Specification levels have been improved across the board.

All models have a 1.8 litre EFI-equipped Twin Cam Multi-valve engine, driver’s SRS airbag (with force-limit seatbelt pretensioners on both front seatbelts), tilt-adjustable power steering, 14-inch wheels, body coloured power mirrors, central locking, variable intermittent wipers, tachometer, engine immobiliser, three rear-seat head restraints and new exterior colour availability.

All Seca models have a 60/40 split-fold rear seat back and tumble rear seat cushion.

There are three sedan model grades - Ascent, Conquest and Ultima.

Seca is offered in Ascent, Conquest, sporty Levin and Ultima grades.

Conquest, Levin and Ultima have air conditioning, power front windows, full cloth trim, alarm system with Panic mode, rear spoiler (for liftback models), CD player and driver’s seat tilt/height adjust as standard equipment.

These models also have a new keyless entry/security alarm system as standard.

Sporty Levin’s additional features include alloy wheels, ABS with rear discs, front bib spoiler, front foglamps, mesh grille, high-grade front seats, leather steering wheel and leather gear knob (manual transmission model only).

Top-of-the-range Ultima sedan and Seca liftback have the added features of front passenger SRS airbag, ABS, high-grade front seats, high-grade velour seat trim, rear power windows, 6 disc CD in-dash changer, unique alloy wheels and front foglamps.

A safety pack option of front passenger SRS airbag (with front passenger force-limiting seatbelt) and ABS anti-skid brakes with rear discs is offered for Ascent and Conquest models.

A power tilt and slide moonroof is optionally available for Conquest, Levin and Ultima models.

The new generation Corolla sedan is offered in Australia with front passenger SRS airbag and moonroof availability.

NEW COROLLA ONSLAUGHT FOR 2000

Toyota expects to deliver 20,000 of its new Corolla range in Australia in the next year.

Corolla will be part of an integrated market program which encompasses newly launched Echo and locally manufactured Camry.

The high volume level one Corolla Ascent range is due to go on sale in the first quarter of 2000.

Initial release has been held back to enable the Australian specified model to be integrated into Toyota’s Japanese production process.

Toyota Conquest - which is essentially a level one plus specification, Levin liftback - and Ultima level three will be available immediately.

Ascent is expected to account for more than 53 percent of all deliveries.

Ascent and Conquest together, the two entry level models, will comprise more than 90 percent of all Corolla sales.

There is the potential for buyers to move from Conquest to Ascent to take advantage of the value for money of the more highly specified level one car.

Sedan volume is likely to expand to more than 40 percent of the mix.

Market research indicates up to 15 percent of liftback buyers are likely to move to the sedan with the launch of the new model.

The company expects to double demand for its level two and three models.

Volume of more than 200 a month is anticipated for Levin and Ultima.

"There is no doubt the new styling of Corolla will have far greater appeal - especially to premium buyers, "Toyota senior executive vice president John Conomos said.

"The increasing sophistication of Corolla is part of a world wide model strategy.

"Corolla in Australia has now been restored to commonality with Corolla’s world-wide production schedule.

"It will from now on be the beneficiary of simultaneous model upgradings."

CUSTOMER REAPS BENEFIT FROM NEW COROLLA EFFICIENCIES

The new Corolla range features substantially changed and more sophisticated frontal styling and specification upgrades including a standard driver’s SRS airbag on all models.

All models will now be powered by a 1.8 litre Twin Cam Multi-valve engine.

Corolla will be available in four grades - all built in Japan.

Toyota builds more than half a million Corollas a year in Japan - slightly less than total Corolla production in Australia since 1968.

Corolla is the clear leader of the booming upper light four cylinder market with better than 20 percent of deliveries, four percentage points clear of its nearest rival.

It increased sales by more than 12 percent last year and is on track to exceed 1998 volume by the end of this year.

"Corolla remains one of the cornerstones of Toyota’s success in Australia," Toyota senior executive vice president John Conomos said.

"Corolla’s ability to meet market demand, with a focus on value for money and operating economy over a long working life is all important.

"Corolla has consistently provided owners with low operating costs and strong resale values."

Maintenance of a value for money strategy in the highly price sensitive market segment had been all important.

"Corolla’s new range is a win-win for all involved," Mr Conomos said.

HIGHLY SPECIFIED COROLLA TARGETS PRIVATE BUYER

Private demand makes up almost three quarters of the entire upper light four cylinder market.

Private buyers bought more than 91,000 of the total upper light four deliveries of 123,000 in 1998.

Upper light four deliveries made up 21 percent of the 1998 record passenger car market of 584,000.

Seventy four percent of all upper light four deliveries have been level one cars, reflecting the high price sensitivity of the sector.

Demand for hatchback configuration is around 51 percent. Sedans make up 44 percent of deliveries and station wagons comprise the remaining five percent.

In the last three years there has been a distinct swing to hatch demand, caused largely by increasing sales of Corolla liftback models.

The trend swing to hatch has been in the order of seven percent.

Toyota Corolla is clearly the biggest selling upper light four hatch.

It delivered 15,559 liftbacks to the end of September 1999, almost three times as many as its nearest rival.

The Corolla range is the market leader in private, business and government sectors and trails only marginally in rental company deliveries.

Competition for private sector deliveries is fierce.

Corolla leads the market with 15 percent of private deliveries, but only one percentage point separates the top three market contenders.

Corolla holds 19 percent of all business sales, clear of its next competitor on 14 percent.

Corolla has dominated government deliveries with 82 percent of all sales.

It holds 34 percent of the rental market.

"There is strong opportunity for Corolla to capture a greater share of the private market, particularly with its more highly specified level one plus and levels two and three cars, "Toyota senior executive vice-president John Conomos said.

"Much of the specification mix has been pitched towards private customer demand in these segments."

Mr Conomos said government, fleet and business buyers would also benefit from value for money specification in the essentially level one market.

Toyota was developing a level one specification in Japan specifically to meet the needs of its non-private markets.

The vehicle was intended to maintain price relativity with the existing range while offering greater performance and safety features.

"All level one Corollas will be fitted with a driver’s side SRS airbag as standard equipment - a feature likely to be applauded by users," Mr Conomos said.

"Additionally the standardisation of the 1.8 litre Twin Cam Multi-valve engine responds to users’ request for a level of performance above that offered by most level one market participants."

Ninety-five percent of all Corolla deliveries last year were level one or level one plus cars.

"Clearly there is an opportunity for Toyota to offer buyers of more highly specified cars the opportunity to consider Corolla, Mr Conomos said.

"The new, more sophisticated styling of Corolla will have appeal to a broad sector of buyers.

"Corolla’s position as a suitable vehicle for long term ownership will be enhanced with this model."

SPORTY LEVIN JOINS MODEL LINE-UP

Toyota has added a sporty liftback model to the new fully imported Corolla range.

The adoption of sporty Levin as a volume model follows the success of the limited edition Corolla Levin.

Corolla Levin has a range of added sports, safety and comfort features.

Features include ABS anti-skid brakes with rear discs, rally-inspired mesh radiator grille, aggressive black bib-type front spoiler with foglamps, chrome exhaust extension, high grade front seats with unique sports fabric trim, three-in-one CD/tuner/cassette audio unit, sports finish centre cluster, digital clock, black three-spoke leather-covered steering wheel with driver’s SRS airbag and leather and polished metal gear knob (manual transmission only).

Corolla Levin also has eight-spoke alloy wheels with 185/60HR14 Yokohama Advan A407 tyres.

The new Corolla Levin has the above features in addition to the Corolla Conquest Seca liftback features of 60:40 split/fold rear seat back and tumble rear seat cushion, tilt-adjustable power-assisted rack and pinion steering, driver’s seat tilt/height adjustment, tachometer, remote-control power door locks, power mirrors and front windows, front seatback pockets, sunvisors with driver and passenger vanity mirror and covers, full fabric head restraints front and rear, transponder-type engine immobiliser, rear spoiler, body colour side protection mouldings, CFC-free air conditioning and alarm with Panic mode.

The name "Levin" (from a former motor racing circuit near the New Zealand town of the same name) has traditionally been applied to sporty liftback Corolla models in Japan and several export markets.

Previous Levin models were part of Corolla’s record six consecutive class victories in the Bathurst 1000 kilometre race.

Corolla Levin is offered with the choice of overdrive five-speed manual or four-speed overdrive automatic transmission.

There is a paired option for Corolla Levin of front passenger’s SRS airbag (with front seatbelt force-limiter) and power tilt-and-slide moonroof.

NEW COROLLA RANGE HAS 14 MODELS

Toyota’s new fully imported Corolla range has 14 models, with the choice of two body styles, two transmissions and four equipment levels.

All Corolla models have Toyota’s GOA safety body and a 1.8 litre EFI-equipped Twin Cam Multi-valve engine.

Transmission choice is five-speed overdrive manual and four-speed overdrive automatic with fuel-saving lock-up torque converter.

Standard equipment includes electronically controlled driver’s SRS airbag, driver’s seatbelt with forcelimiter and seatbelt pretensioners for both front seats, 14-inch wheels, tilt-adjustable power steering, power mirrors, central locking, engine immobiliser, radio/cassette, tachometer, cup holders, body-colour mirrors and variable intermittent wipers.

All liftback models have a 60/40 split fold rear seat back and tumble rear seat cushion.

There are three equipment grades for Corolla sedan: Ascent, Conquest and Ultima.

Corolla liftback equipment grade levels are: Ascent, Conquest, Levin and Ultima Added features in Conquest models include: air conditioning, CD tuner, power front windows, full cloth trim and fabric head restraint covers (front and rear), remote locking, alarm with panic mode, body colour side protection moulding and rear spoiler (liftback model).

Sporty Levin liftback has all these features, and added features including: ABS brakes, rear disc brakes, alloy wheels, front foglamps, front bib spoiler (black), mesh radiator grille, chrome exhaust extension, sports-finish centre cluster, sports seat trim, high- grade front seats, three-spoke leather covered sports steering wheel, leather gear knob, in-dash digital clock and radio cassette with single CD.

Top-of-the-range Ultima sedan and liftback models have all the standard features of Conquest, and these additional features: ABS and rear disc brakes, front passenger’s SRS airbag with force-limiting front passenger seatbelt, 6-disc in-dash CD changer, power rear windows, high-grade front seats, velour trim, split-fold rear seat (sedan), unique alloy wheels, front foglamps, body colour door handles and mudflaps, and chrome window mouldings.

Optional equipment for Ascent is Safety Pack (ABS, rear disc brakes, front passenger SRS airbag and front passenger’s force-limiting seatbelt.

Optional equipment for Conquest includes Safety Pack, 60/40 split-fold rear seat combined with high-grade front seats and velour seat trim (for sedan) and moonroof.

Optional equipment for Levin is passenger SRS airbag and moonroof.

A moonroof is optionally available for Ultima sedan and liftback.

The Corolla full model line-up is:
* Ascent sedan (manual and automatic)
* Conquest sedan (manual and automatic)
* Ultima sedan (manual and automatic)
* Ascent liftback (manual and automatic)
* Conquest liftback (manual and automatic)
* Levin liftback (manual and automatic)
* Ultima liftback (manual and automatic)

The previous locally manufactured sedan and hatchback models have been discontinued.

TOYOTA’S MASSIVE INFRASTRUCTURE IN AUSTRALIA

Toyota is gearing up to service an Australian market which may reach one million vehicles annually by 2005.

It has told its dealer network to expect to deliver at least 200,000 vehicles annually by 2005 - an increase of 30 percent on current throughput.

Infrastructure improvement and significant investment in systems and people is essential, Toyota’s senior executive vice-president John Conomos has told the Toyota network.

Toyota is to open a new high-tech marketing headquarters in Australia by year’s end.

The $5 million three storey building will be directly linked to Toyota’s Japanese offices and to its manufacturing plant at Altona, Melbourne.

The purpose-built facility will feature satellite link technology as well as a design display showroom for the evaluation of new models.

The new headquarters is on the shores of Botany Bay next door to the company’s South Pacific Training Centre and to its recently re-engineered imported parts distribution centre.

The marketing complex is the latest development in more than $100 million of improvements currently in progress throughout Toyota’s Australian network.

Toyota dealers are spending more than $50 million on facility upgrades and the company is investing more than $90 million in showcase expansion of its two house retail sites in Sydney and Melbourne.

Victorian Premier Steve Bracks last month opened a new $14.5 million export parts distribution centre next door to Toyota’s Altona manufacturing plant.

The distribution centre features a breakthrough extension of Toyota’s Production System into parts supply.

The building is smaller than its Sydney counterpart because more than 75 percent of components will pass through it without being stored. Average turnaround will be less than four hours.

Toyota’s 93 first tier original equipment component suppliers have been encouraged to gear up for supply of parts and accessories to the same just-in-time system employed in manufacturing.

"Toyota said at the beginning of this decade that the company which succeeded would be the one which best managed change and best invested in it, "Mr Conomos said.

"The rate of change is now exponential.

"Arguably no Australian motor manufacturer or distributor is currently geared up to properly service the rapid increase of the market in the next five years.

"The company most prepared will seize the advantage."

700,000th Corolla Due For Delivery in Australia

The 700,000th Toyota Corolla is likely to be delivered in Australia before the end of the year.

Toyota manufactured 601,101 Corollas in Australia and delivered 695,000 Corollas to the end of October this year.

Corolla has contributed more than 23 percent of Toyota’s total sales volume in Australia.

The company delivered its three millionth vehicle in Australia, a Camry CSi four cylinder sedan, in August.

Toyota Corolla is the biggest selling Japanese car ever made.

According to some industry statisticians it could be the largest seller of all time if other variants built on the same platform are counted.

More than 23.5 million Corollas have been delivered worldwide since production began in 1966.

However, another 14.3 million vehicles have been built on the same platform.

Toyota recently celebrated the construction of its 100 millionth vehicle in the Japanese domestic market. Corolla made up better than 20 percent of the domestic total.

Corolla is manufactured in 13 Toyota plants worldwide.

It is regarded as the mainstay of the Toyota Production system.

In Australia it enabled Altona to become export effective with plant volume in excess of 100,000 vehicles in 1998.

More than 32,000 Camrys were exported in 1998 while Corolla maintained an important domestic role.

The first Corolla built in Australia was a 1.1 litre overhead valve coupe, made at the company’s Port Melbourne plant in 1968 only two years after world manufacture began in Japan.

Corolla has been manufactured in three Australian plants - Port Melbourne, Dandenong and Altona.

The Corolla was Australia’s longest continuously locally built small car.

COROLLA SCORES SWAN SONG WRC VICTORY

Toyota Corolla has taken victory for Toyota in the World Rally Championship in its final year of works competition.

Corolla clinched the Manufacturers’ Championship with a second placing to Carlos Sainz at Telstra Rally Australia with one round, the Rally of Great Britain, remaining.

Toyota’s number one Le Mans driver Martin Brundle is to join the team for Rally of GB in a third works Corolla, co-driven by Arne Hertz.

Toyota Team Europe has announced its withdrawal from the world rally championship in 2000 to concentrate on its ambitious Formula One program.

Toyota team Europe president Ove Andersson has pledged to continue the rally development of the Corolla to support satellite teams expected to field the car in the championship.

Australia was integral in Toyota Corolla’s earliest motor racing successes.

Corolla won its class in the Bathurst 500 - forerunner to the 1000 - in 1968 and 1969, effectively putting the model on the motorsport map.

It subsequently won its class in the Bathurst 1000km race eight times.

Ove Andersson’s fledgling Toyota Team Europe scored a stunning Corolla victory in its first year in the 1975 1000 Lakes Rally in Finland.

The 1600cc Corolla was driven by Hannu Mikkola in what was then regarded as the hardest rally in the world.

Corolla claimed a world record of 27 successive class victories in the Australian Touring Car Championship. The achievement was recognised in the Guinness Book of Records.

In 1998 Carlos Sainz and Luis Moya scored a debut victory for Corolla in the first round of the World Rally Championship.

Their run for the title came to a heartbreaking end just 500 metres short of the finish of the final event, the Rally of Great Britain, when an engine fire brought them to a stop.

Corolla finished second in the World Manufacturers’ Championship and Sainz finished second in the drivers’ title.

In Australia Neal Bates and Coral Taylor have finished second in their WRC Corolla in the last two Australian Rally Championships.

COROLLA HAS WIDE RANGE OF OPTIONS

Toyota’s new Corolla has a wide range of options - including a power tilt and slide moonroof for the first time on Corolla sedan.

A power tilt and slide moonroof is available for Conquest, Levin and Ultima models.

Entry level Corolla Ascent has a Safety Pack option - front passenger’s SRS airbag, front passenger forcelimiting seatbelt pretensioner, ABS anti-skid brakes and rear disc brakes.

It also has the option of dealer-fit air conditioning.

Volume-selling Conquest sedan has the options of:
* split/fold rear seat (Split fold rear seat, high grade front seats with velour trim)
* split/fold rear seat plus Safety Pack
* split/fold rear seat plus Safety Pack plus moonroof.

Conquest Seca liftback has the options of Safety Pack and Safety Pack plus moonroof.

Sporty Levin Seca liftback has the option of front seat passenger SRS airbag (with front passenger forcelimiting seatbelt pretensioner) plus moonroof.

Top-of-the-range Ultima has the option of a moonroof.

EXPANDED ENHANCEMENT RANGE FOR NEW COROLLA

Toyota has launched an expanded alloy wheel range and a range of "mix and match" body enhancement accessories for new Corolla.

The range of exterior enhancement accessories, which are all sold separately, lets owners to customise their Corollas to their specific tastes by adding one or several styling items.

The Corolla range includes a sporty chrome exhaust extension, side skirts and wheel arch flare kit.

A sports mesh radiator grille and distinctive front skirt are also under development for launch in early 2000.

Three bright silver alloy designs are now available - Quad and Corsica and the new Entice.

The new 14" Entice alloy wheel fits the Corolla’s original tyre size and features organic curves and a five dual-spoke pattern.

The 14" Quad Alloy wheel has a four dual-spoke pattern.

The 15" Corsica requires the replacement of Corolla’s original tyres, allowing fitment of low profile, higher performance tyres.

The six spoke motorsport-style Corsica wheels also feature a "dual-spoke" pattern.

Corolla’s styling accessories are well recognised through the success of the original TTE exterior kit, the Corolla Levin limited edition and strong enhancement accessories sales for the Corolla liftback.

"Corolla was the first Toyota vehicle to be brought to market in Australia with a full range of styling accessories," Toyota Australia - Parts, Service and Accessories’ Rory Macdougall said.

"Toyota’s long lineup of enhancement accessories reflects the demand for vehicle customisation and individuality."

Other Toyota Genuine Accessories for new Corolla include a shadow mount towbar, trailer wiring harness, bonnet protector, headlight protectors, sunguard, roof racks, floor mats, seat covers, and weathershields.

Toyota Corolla Recommended retail prices

	Liftback	Sedan
Conquest Manual	$23,740	$23,740
Conquest Automatic	$25,420	$25,420
Levin Manual	$26,780
Levin Automatic	$28,460
Ultima Manual	$28,000	$28,000
Ultima Automatic	$29,680	$29,680

COROLLA LIFTBACK HAS NEW FRONT MASK

Toyota’s Corolla liftback has a new front mask.

The upgraded mask includes a revised front bumper, and new radiator grille, headlamp and front turn lamp designs.

The new front bumper is one-piece construction (in lieu of two) and is full body colour for all exterior colours.

The new front bumper has increased Corolla liftback’s overall length by 20mm.

The new radiator grille is larger than the previous Corolla liftback grille, and includes a Toyota logo in the centre.

Sporty Levin liftback has a unique mesh grille and a unique front bib spoiler (in black).

The new Corolla sedan model range adopts the same front design characteristics as the liftback.

A rear spoiler is standard equipment for liftback Conquest, Levin and Ultima.

Levin has the added rear feature of a chrome exhaust extension.

It also adopts the 14 x 5.5 inch alloy wheels previously offered on liftback CSX.

Top-of-the-range Ultima sedan and liftback have a new 14 x 5.5 inch alloy design.

Levin and Ultima models have 185/60 R14 Yokohama Advan A407 tyres.

Ascent and Conquest models have steel wheels, full wheel caps (with separate designs for the two model grades) and Bridgestone B391 175/65 R14 tyres.

Ten exterior colours are offered for liftback and eight for sedan.

The sedan colours are: Glacier White and Magnetic Silver, Lucifer, Simpson Red, Smart Green, Electric Blue, Royal Blue and Botany Blue.

Additional colours for Seca (liftback) are Galaxy Black and Aztec Gold.

COROLLA SEDAN IS MORE AERODYNAMIC

Toyota’s new eighth generation Corolla sedan has significantly improved aerodynamics.

The generational change in Corolla sedan has seen its coefficient of drag slashed from 0.33 to 0.30, for improved economy and reduced wind noise.

Corolla’s coefficient of lift front and rear have also been reduced.

Aerodynamic improvements include a low-set bonnet, gutter-less roof and flush-mounted surfacing of the windscreen, side windows and rear window.

UPGRADED INTERIOR FOR COROLLA

Toyota Corolla has improved interior features across the board.

Corolla sedan gains space and added comfort in the generational change to the CBU model.

Corolla Seca liftback has new interior trim, fabrics and features.

Eighth generation Corolla’s interior styling brief called for a light, airy cabin feel, with improved ergonomics and functionality.

Sedan’s cabin space has been increased, while offering improved passive safety.

The new sedan cabin is 10mm wider, 15mm higher and 10mm longer.

Design features of the Corolla interior include two-tone grey trim, a wrap-around style dashboard design (which blends with the door trims) and attractive seat fabric.

The dashboard crash pad is slush moulded, to ensure high quality and longevity of appearance.

Power-assisted steering and a driver’s SRS airbag are standard equipment across the model range.

Dual front SRS airbags are standard equipment on Corolla Ultima and front passenger SRS airbag is optionally available on the other models.

Corolla’s interior has passive safety features including head impact protection measures, with soft upper interior sections on the roof side rails and inner A and B-pillars.

Corolla sedan has a new collapsible steering column designed to absorb primary and secondary collision impact energy, height-adjustable front seatbelt upper anchorages, three rear-seat lap-sash ALR/ELR type seatbelts and three separate rear-seat head restraints.

High-Grade Seats:

Corolla Levin Liftback and Ultima sedan and Seca have high-grade front seats.

All liftback models have a 60/40 split-fold rear seat with a seat-cushion tumble function.

Ultima sedan has a split-fold rear seat.

This feature will be offered on Conquest sedan from January 2000 production - as a paired option with high-grade front seats and velour trim.

The generation change in Corolla sedan means it has new front seats, with increased comfort and support, and full-loop fore/aft adjustment levers.

New Seat Trim:

Toyota Corolla sedan and Seca models have new seat trim throughout.

Entry level Corolla Ascent models adopt a semi-fabric trim (with vinyl seat-side and seat-back trim), while Corolla Conquest has full fabric trim.Both have a MD Charcoal coloured trim.

Levin liftback has a unique sporty Shadow Grey coloured fabric trim.

Top-of-the-range Ultima has a high-grade velour trim.

New Audio Units:

Toyota Corolla has new audio units for all Ascent, Conquest and Levin models, and for Ultima sedans.

Corolla’s audio units are located in a 2DIN audio pod, located on the dashboard above the centre console - for greater ease of use.

A CD player is standard equipment in Conquest, Levin and Ultima models.

Corolla Ascent adopts a 1DIN-sized radio/cassette unit.

Conquest models have a 1.4DIN CD/tuner.

Sporty Levin liftback has a 2DIN three-in-one CD/tuner/cassette unit.

Corolla Ultima has a 1DIN radio/cassette unit with a 1DIN six-CD in-dash multi-changer.

Storage Space:

Toyota Corolla has impressive in-cabin storage space.

It has a retractable dual cup holder, a large centre console box, seat-back map pockets on Conquest, Levin and Ultima models, oddment and coin holders, a storage pocket in the luggage area (Seca models), and business card/ticket holders on vanity mirror covers.The rear seat cushion in Seca has a fold-up bolster, so the seat back can fold fully flat - for added cargo area flexibility.

COROLLA SEDAN HAS MORE SPACE

Toyota’s new Corolla sedan has more space, while offering greater passive safety.

The eighth generation sedan body is 45mm longer than the previous model.

It is also 5mm wider and 5mm higher.

Interior room height has been increased by 15mm, width by 10mm and length by 10mm.

Corolla’s wheelbase has been maintained at 2465mm - so turning circle is not changed.

Boot volume has been increased by three percent to 417 litres.

COROLLA HAS NEW KEYLESS ENTRY SYSTEM

Toyota Corolla has a new keyless entry system and security alarm as standard for Conquest, Levin and Ultima models.

All new Corolla models have power door locks and a transponder-type engine immobiliser.

It protects all the four doors on sedan and all five doors on Seca liftback models.

Features of the new system include:
* a Panic Alarm
* visual and audible confirmation of lock/unlock via the indicator lamps and horn chirp (with a delete function on the audible confirmation)
* automatic door relock after 60 seconds (if none of the doors are opened)
* dash-mounted LED/transmitter, and
* low battery warning for the transmitter battery.

ENTRY LEVEL COROLLA ASCENT HAS IMPROVED PERFORMANCE

Toyota’s new entry level Ascent Corolla models have improved performance.

The new fully imported Corolla range has a 1.8 litre EFI-equipped Twin Cam Multi-valve engine as standard equipment.

Superseded entry level Corolla CSi sedan and Seca shared a 1.6 litre engine.

Corolla’s 1.8 litre engine has 14 percent more torque and nine percent more power than the superseded 1.6 litre engine.

It delivers 85kW of power at 5800rpm and 154Nm of torque at 4800rpm.

COROLLA SEDAN HAS NEW SUSPENSION PACKAGE

Toyota Corolla sedan’s generational change has brought a new, more sophisticated chassis package, for improved steering, ride comfort and handling.

orolla sedan’s new suspension gives the vehicle a more flat-riding, on-road flavour, with crisper turn-in, improved steering feel, more neutral handling and improved traction.

The foundation for Corolla sedan’s improved suspension is the vehicle’s strong body, with high torsional rigidity.

The strong body provides a more stable platform for the suspension.

In addition, Corolla retains its proven front and rear suspension sub-frames.

Improvements to Corolla sedan’s suspension hardware include the addition of new front lower arms, a revised rear mounting point and vertical mounting bush for the front lower arms, new springs, Toyota’s latest generation damper technology, new ball-joint mounted stabiliser bars front and rear, a new lever arm for the front stabiliser bar and new tyres.

Corolla’s dampers include internal rebound springs for the rear units.

The internal rebound springs reduce lift under heavy braking and control large body movement on typically undulating Australian high-speed country roads.

The addition of the rebound spring allows the suspension engineers to reduce rebound damping while maintaining body control.

Corolla also has Toyota two-stage dampers front and rear.

The two-stage valving system provides increased damping at lower damper velocities, for improved control of pitch, squat, body roll in corners and attitude change under acceleration.

It also improves low-speed ride and reduces "floatiness" over undulations in the road.

The two-stage valving system provides additional suppleness and sophistication in the suspension.

In new Corolla, it has allowed the suspension engineers to reduce spring rates and hence improve ride, without sacrificing body control.

Spring rates are low, particularly at the front of the vehicle.

Compression damping has been reduced to further improve ride, while rebound damping has been increased at higher damper velocities for better control.

Stabiliser bar diameters have been selected to give the vehicle more neutral handling.

Improved Steering: Corolla sedan has a new steering box, with a revised pinion helix angle, for improved on-centre feel and reduced NVH.

Revised power steering valve characteristics improve initial turn-in and corner tracing.

Corolla has engine-speed sensitive power steering, with 3.2 turns lock-to-lock.

Local Suspension Development:

Toyota’s new Corolla sedan also benefits from local suspension development for the new generation model.

Long-term local evaluation and development concentrated on achieving a suspension flavour to suit local conditions and driving tastes.

It offers improved steering, turn-in and handling.

Spring and damper rates and stabiliser bar diameters have been tailored to achieving more neutral handling and better traction.

For example, the Australian vehicle has increased rebound damping at higher damper velocities, to better control or "tie down" the body.

Compression damping and spring rates have been reduced, to improve ride.

Stabiliser bar diameter has been selected to reduce potential understeer.

The new Corolla sedan also has improved grip and traction, with a more level cornering stance.

Tyre selection goals included improved handling, and increased grip in both wet and dry conditions.

Corolla Ascent and Conquest have Bridgestone 175/65 HR14 tyres.

Sporty Levin Seca, and high-grade Ultima sedan and Seca have Yokohama 185/60 HR14 tyres.

COROLLA SEDAN GAINS PACE

Toyota’s new 1.8 litre Corolla sedan has improved performance and lowered emissions.

The generational change in Corolla sedan, from LM to CBU, includes an improved engine specification and calibration.

Corolla’s proven Toyota 1762cc 7A-FE engine offers 95 percent of peak torque from 2000rpm through to 5000rpm, for optimum driveability.

It delivers 85kW (EEC) of power at 5800rpm and 154Nm of torque at 4800rpm.

Improvements in the development of the eighth generation Corolla included a new electronic control unit and a new oxygen sensor, for improved emissions.

NVH was improved by adopting a clamp type exhaust pipe joining method and fitting revised exhaust supports.

The fully imported 1.8 litre sedan has achieved improved acceleration compared with the superseded LM 1.8 models.

Corolla sedan’s acceleration* has been improved while improving emissions and maintaining fuel economy.

Acceleration 0-100km/h and standing-start 400 metres have been improved, to 10.4 seconds and 17.0 seconds respectively.

Carbon monoxide emissions have been reduced by up to 60 percent.

missions of oxides of nitrogen have been reduced by up to 50 percent, and hydrocarbons by up to 40 percent.

Evaporative emissions are one fifth of the figure allowed under Australian Design Rules.

Fuel economy is 8.0 litres/100km on the AS2877 city cycle and 6.6 litres/100km (42.8mpg) highway cycle for Corolla sedan manual.

The automatic model has 8.5 litres/100km city cycle and achieves 6.8 litres/100km (41.5mpg) highway cycle.

Features of Corolla’s 7A-FE engine include grouped electronic fuel injection and an electronic spark advance with a knock control system (KCS).

* Based on in-house TMC testing.

NEW SEDAN IS QUIETER

Toyota’s new generation Corolla sedan has significantly reduced noise, vibration and harshness.

The eighth generation Corolla sedan has a stronger body, lower coefficient of drag and newly adopted NVH counter measures.

Corolla sedan’s drag coefficient has been reduced - with benefits in better economy and lower noise.

Corolla sedan’s NVH counter-measure strategy includes the use of anti-vibration sub-frames, and vibration damping steel sheet for the firewall and rear inner guards.

The new sedan has a dash panel insulator, and makes additional use of high insulation asphalt sheeting.

Sound insulation panels have also been adopted for the full floor, the front doors, A-pillars and the floor of the boot.

Special attention has been paid to reducing noise from interior air flow.

The roof has sound insulation used extensively to reduce noise transmission.

Foam-type sealing materials have been used inside the cabin frame sections.

Any service holes and reduction holes are covered with either a sealing material or urethane foam.

The main muffler mounting has been redesigned as a one-point mounting, to better isolate vibration from the vehicle body.

INCREASED PASSIVE SAFETY FOR COROLLA SEDAN

Toyota’s new Corolla sedan has increased passive safety.

The generational change in Corolla sedan - to the fully imported eighth-generation model - has brought gains in body strength and additional safety equipment.

The new sedan has a significantly stronger body and optional dual front SRS airbags availability (standard on Ultima model).

It has passed a 40 percent offset deformable barrier test at an impact speed of 60km/h - well in excess of the world test standard of 56km/h and Australian Design Rule requirements.

Corolla sedan has also been subject to a 50km/h full frontal impact test, and met European 50km/h dynamic side impact regulations (at 300mm impactor height) and rollover tests.

An electronically controlled driver’s SRS airbag and driver’s seatbelt force-limiter are standard equipment on all models. Both front seatbelts have pretensioners.

A front passenger’s SRS airbag with force-limiter is standard equipment on Corolla Ultima and optionally available on all other models.

Electronic control provides more accurate sensing and improved deployment.

The new generation Corolla has a satellite sensor system - with front left and right- hand sensors and a centre airbag sensor assembly incorporating a safing sensor.

The airbags are non-aggressive type, with non-azide and hybrid type inflators.

GOA Safety Body: Eighth generation Corolla’s body was developed using Toyota’s Global Outstanding Assessment (or GOA) process, in which Toyota reviews current and anticipated safety standards and designs the vehicle to exceed those standards.

Corolla sedan has been tested to new European standards, and Japanese and US requirements, as well as Toyota’s strict in-house goal of having the highest passive safety in class.

Finite Element Method analysis and numerous on-vehicle tests were used to achieve maximum side impact integrity.

Corolla sedan’s body shell has increased use of high-strength steel, to increase rigidity, crash worthiness and dent resistance, and to reduce weight.

High-tensile steel is used to press the main front side members, pillar brace, the entire upper section of the front inner guards, most of the front door surrounds (including the front body pillar outer, roof side rail and front floor side member), sections of the main roof cross member, the door skins, main centre cross member, rear chassis members and main cabin cross member.

In addition, new Corolla sedan has significant body reinforcement for both frontal and side impact protection.

Reinforced areas include the front bumper reinforcement, the main members, pillar brace, firewall and A-pillars, door surrounds, side lower channels, front centre channel, front and rear cabin cross members, B-pillar, the upper portion of the doors, the dual side intrusion beams (in all four doors), the dash cross-member and the main roof cross member. The width of the entire B-pillar has been increased and the pillar itself has been reinforced, to maximise side impact protection. In addition, Toyota has reinforced the roof rail directly above the B-pillar, to minimise the possibility of the centre pillar collapsing.

High-strength steel has been used as an instrument panel reinforcement, to minimise steering wheel intrusion into the survival space.

The footwells and firewall have been reinforced, and a brake pedal stopper has been adopted, to minimise intrusion of the steering column and pedals into cabin space.

Energy absorbing material has been incorporated into critical areas in the doors, to absorb any loads at those points.

Corolla sedan also has the latest head impact protection measures, including soft upper interior sections on the roof side rails and inner A and B pillars.

The steering column has a collapsible lower bracket, break-away bracket, energy absorbing plate and a contractile main shaft to absorb primary and secondary impact.

Corolla’s front seatbelts have height-adjustable upper anchorages and the seatbelt buckle mounted to the seat, for improved seatbelt fit.

The rear seat has three, lap-sash ALR/ELR type seatbelts.

Corolla was the first small car in Australia to have three rear seat lap-sash seatbelts.

The ALR (automatic locking retractor) mechanism allows the seatbelt to hold a baby seat/capsule in position, in conjunction with the usual restraint anchorage tether, without the possibility of the belt loosening.

Three child restraint anchorage points are provided.

The driver’s side power window on Corolla Conquest, Levin and Ultima models has anti-jam protection.

COROLLA SEDAN HAS STRONGER BODY

Toyota’s Corolla sedan has an all-new body, with significantly increased strength and rigidity.

The adoption of fully imported Corolla sedan for Australia represents a generational change compared with the previous locally manufactured sedan model.

The eighth generation Corolla sedan was designed to meet the world’s toughest foreseeable safety standards, under Toyota’s GOA (Global Outstanding Assessment) process.

The stronger body improves passive safety, handling and durability, and contributes to significantly reduced NVH.

The eighth generation sedan body has crumple zones front and rear, and a high-integrity cabin section to minimise intrusion into the cabin space.

Torsional rigidity and body stiffness have been significantly increased.

Forty-two percent of the Corolla body (by weight) is pressed from high-tensile strength steel, for increased strength and rigidity, and reduced bodyshell weight.

New Corolla sedan has significant body reinforcement for both frontal and side impact protection.

Eighty-eight percent of Corolla’s body is pressed from anti-corrosion sheet steel.

Specifications