Toyota Corolla: 10th Generation Arrives In Oz

Motoring Channel Staff - 18/May/2007

Melbourne, Australia — Toyota has a couple of reasons to celebrate in 2007, one of which is the launch of its 10th generation Corolla in Australia. 

Many analysts believe it's only a matter of time before the Corolla overtakes the Holden Commodore to become Australia's favourite car (in terms of annual sales), and in combination with the small Japanese car turning 40 this year and the company taking the mantle of world's No.1 car maker from General Motors recently, it's party central at Toyota this month.

The new Corolla has been launched in Australia following successful launches Europe (where it's badged Auris), and together with an evolving design, a more advanced 4-cylinder engine and new safety features, chances are it'll be just as successful in this country.

But it's not all good news for new small car buyers, Toyota watchers, and Corolla lovers. The new model has gone up in price, giving it's rivals more room to move in the hotly contested small car market.

There was also an embarrassing fault that has halted all deliveries of the car in Australia for a few days, which involves a small clip in the steering column that can come loose allowing the steering wheel to flop down.

Toyota has a reputation in this country that centres on reliability, and this new fault will displease Toyota's top brass - not to mention adding a blemish to what is otherwise a very shiny looking new model.

The entry level price for the new 2007 model Corolla is now $20,990, and though Toyota's spokesperson David Buttner says the increased price is warranted due to increased value with things like ABS and dual airbags on all models, it is not always seen this way by new car buyers. The fact of the matter is that cars selling for under $20,000 are simply more appealing to buyers shopping at the budget end of the new car market.

"We've added significant value to these cars but increased the price of the [entry-level] Ascent hatch and sedan by just $1000," David Buttner explained.

"The new entry price of $20,990 makes new Corolla excellent value against its key competitors. It is even better value when you include Toyota Advantage - three years of standard services at just $120 each."

Like most modern 'small' cars, the Corolla is in fact quite large with plenty of interior room. It's grown in size when compared to last year's model and there's more obvious visual differences between the hatch and sedan models.

Toyota explains that the Corolla hatch was styled to appeal to image-conscious younger buyers and long time Corolla customers and hence was developed in Europe, while the more mature looking sedan was designed to appeal to drivers who are seeking a classic 4-door car with less overt styling cues.

"There's now a real focus on style and driving enthusiasm as we inject more passion into the Corolla brand. The new Corolla will be sought-after by existing owners as well as people who have never previously bought or considered a Corolla," Toyota Australia's chief of marketing and sales, David Buttner proclaimed.

The focus on style Mr Buttner talks about is represented in the more European designs, while the increase in driving enjoyment comes from a range of chassis and driveline improvements. Underpinning the new 2007 models Corolla are new front and rear suspension systems that together with wider tracks will provide improved handling, stability and comfort says Toyota. A new power steering system has also been tuned to provide more precise steering input.

In addition to the refined chassis that is expected to improve ride and handling, the new Toyota Corolla will also be offered with 6-speed manual transmissions, giving drivers the chance to experience the sporty spirit that has helped Toyota's Corolla to numerous rally racing victories in Australia of late. All models can be had with with the new 6-speed manual or the 4-speed automatic transmissions - except for the range-topping Ultima model, which is auto only.

The tried-and-trusted 1.8-litre 4-cylinder engine from the Corolla returns in 2007, albeit with a few changes that increase powerby seven per cent over the previous model . Now outputting 100kW of power, the engines can thank variable valve timing technology with infinite adjustment on both the inlet and exhaust camshafts for the increase in power which should improve drivability slightly. The 1798cc engine's vital statistics are as follows:

Power: 100kW @ 6000rpm
Torque: 175Nm @ 4400rpm

Fuel efficiency is about average for the petrol engined small car class and slightly higher than the previous Corolla, with the hatch models using 7.4 litres/100km (manual gearbox) and 7.7litres/100km (automatic gearbox) on the combined city/highway drive cycle. Interestingly the 2007 Corolla sedan models are slightly more efficient, returning 7.3 litres/100km(manual gearbox) and 7.4 litres/100km with the automatic gearbox.

Toyota has increased the price on the its new Corolla models, but the standard levels of equipment have risen as a result, so things like ABS anti-skid brakes with Brake Assist and Electronic Brakeforce Distribution are now standard across the entire range. Twin airbags are also packed with all Corolla models as standard features, and Toyota will offer an enhanced safety pack for all models at a reasonable price, including things like front-seat side airbags, curtain shield airbags and even a driver's knee airbag.

The knee airbag is a trickle-down feature that was first pioneered on high end Lexus models, and now the Corolla will be the first vehicle in the small car segment with the availability of a driver's SRS knee airbag. Some other safety feature include the advanced structural integrity of the Corolla. Toyota explains that as well as less twisting and vibration of the body structure that will result in a better drive, it also acts as a very strong passenger safety cell in the event of a collision, which hasearned the car a maximum 5 star rating in the latest round of Euro NCAP tests.

In total, Toyota builds about 1.35 million Corollas a year, which is one of the highest amounts for any passenger car in the world, and there is no doubting its popularity. The biggest news for the 2007 model is the introduction of a new look, which Toyota hopes will appeal to younger buyers: "We have a real opportunity with people under 35 who buy around a quarter of all small cars. We're particularly targeting non-owners who rank design and style as their number-one purchase criteria - even above price, engine power and even above fuel efficiency," said Toyota's spokesman David Buttner.

"It has strong loyalty, with 57 per cent of Corolla owners remaining loyal to the brand," he added.

"They recognise Corolla's traditional quality, reliability, high resale values, low running costs and four-cylinder fuel economy. The new Corolla is even better," Buttner concluded.

In total, 13 Corolla models will be offered, with four hatch grades and three sedans with either 4-speed auto or 6-speed manual transmissions. The hatch line-up is as follows:

Corolla Ascent
Corolla Conquest
Corolla Levin SX
Corolla Levin ZR

All models are well get the 100kW dual VVT-i engine, dual SRS airbags, ABS brakes with Electronic Brakeforce Distribution and Brake Assist, plus a CD stereo tuner with MP3 compatibility, power front windows and air conditioning. Corolla Conquest (hatch and sedan), Levin ZR and Ultima models all get seven SRS airbags as standard equipment. The sedan line-up is as follows:

Corolla Ascent
 Corolla Conquest
 Corolla Ultima

The Ultima sedan has the additional features of leather seat trim, proximity based smart entry and start system, rain-sensing windscreen wipers, climate-controlled air conditioning, HID (high intensity discharge) headlamps, an optitron combination meter, auto headlamps and body-coloured mudguards. Pricing for the new Corolla starts as $20,990 for the hatch and sedan Ascent models and tops out at $31,990 for the Ultima sedan.

2007 Toyota Corolla Australian Pricing:

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