Official: New Toyota Corolla hits Japan

It’s been spied, leaked and rumoured for almost six months and now Toyota has released the first official image and details of its 11th generation Corolla.

Released today in Japan in the form of the domestic-market Auris, the redesigned Corolla – as it will continue to be called only in Australia – will be launched here at the Sydney Motor Show on October 18, before going on sale soon after.

The all-new Corolla emerges only in five-door hatchback guise and will be followed by a four-door sedan derivative within 12 months. As such, it is the replacement for the most important half of Toyota Australia’s biggest selling model and one of Australia’s top-selling models.

With more than 39 million sold globally since the model’s release in 1966, the Corolla is of course also the world’s top-selling car ever, and will compete in Australia’s largest single vehicle segment against top-sellers including the Mazda3 and locally built Holden Cruze.

Despite being more than five years old (launched here in May 2007), sales of the 150-series Corolla (hatch and sedan) are up more than 20 per cent so far this year (compared to last year's tsunami-affected sales result), with more than 22,000 sold in 2012. Only the Mazda3 has attracted more small-car buyers, with more than 25,000 sales.

Toyota is quick to point out Australia was the first export market for the original Corolla and since then almost 1.2 million Corolla hatches and sedans have been sold here, accounting for one-fifth of all Toyota vehicles bought by Australians in the past 50 years. Of these, more than 666,000 or 56 per cent were built in Australia between 1967 and 1999.

As we saw back in May, when Toyota Motor Corporation released the Corolla Axio sedan and Corolla Fielder wagon in Japan, the redesigned small hatch features a far more angular front-end design inspired by hybrid models like the Camry Hybrid and Prius family.

Together, a narrow V-shaped grille and wrap-around headlights form a slimline front-end design that represents a radical departure from previous Corolla models, while an aggressive lower air intake and more pronounced wedge-shape profile also inject more sportiness.

Also obvious are a more rounded windscreen profile, narrower A-pillars that are also moved further back and door-mounted side mirrors that are also aimed at improving visibility.

Toyota says the design of its newest Corolla was influenced by Europe more heavily than ever before, and has confirmed Australian models will come with a more powerful  version of the 100kW 1.8-litre four-cylinder petrol engine in the current model.

Expect the Corolla's upgraded 1.8 to offer about 106kW, thanks to a new ‘Valvematic’ continuously variable valve-timing system, revised compression ratio and reduced internal friction.

Australia will not be offered the diesel and hybrid versions to be launched elsewhere. Nor is Japan’s idle-stop system likely to become available here, but for the first time a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT) is expected to be offered alongside (six-speed) manual versions.

Europe's new UK-built Auris hatch will come with 1.4-litre diesel power from launch, with a 2.0-litre BMW-sourced oil-burner expected to join the range by 2014.

“Toyota's focus on European buying preferences — which are broadly similar to Australian tastes — has delivered edgier styling and a lower centre of gravity to further improve its dynamic performance,” said Toyota Australia today.

The Japanese giant said fresh interior treatments will be joined by clever packaging that liberates more space for occupants and their luggage.

Toyota has confirmed the new Corolla hatch is some 55mm lower than before at just 1460mm high, making it one of the lowest-slung models in the small-car class and helping to give it an aerodynamic drag coefficient of 0.28Cd (down from 0.29Cd), which Toyota claims is the best in the mainstream C-segment.

It measures 4275mm long (up 30mm on the outgoing hatch) but rides on the same 2600mm wheelbase and is the same width as before (1760mm). Rear knee room is increased by 20mm thanks to thinner front seat backs, while the front seats are 40mm lower.

Luggage space is now 360 litres (up six litres) for all hatch models - including Europe's new Auris Hybrid, which now features a battery pack beneath the rear seat and is expected to attract one-third of sales in the UK - while the load floor is 90mm longer.

Representing incremental engineering changes, the new Corolla hatch is also 40kg lighter overall but its body is 10 per cent more rigid due to the use of more high-tensile steel.

Other mechanical changes include a modified electric power steering system with brushless motor and revised gear ratio. A more sporting 'RS' version will be offered in Japan, featuring a six-speed manual gearbox with shorter gearratios, lower suspension and unique alloy wheels.

As we reported in May, the new Corolla sedan meantime is 50mm shorter overall than before, but Toyota claims to have increased rear-seat knee room by 40mm, while the new wagon (which is yet to be confirmed for Australia) offers 90mm of extra luggage space despite being 60mm shorter than before overall.

If the new Corolla Axio sedan is any guide, the hatchback’s turning circle will also reduce by 400mm, from 10.2 to 9.8 metres.

Japan’s Corolla sedan, which is powered by 1.3 and 1.5-litre petrol engines and available in both front-and all-wheel drive configurations, can be had with luxuries like cooled and ventilated front seats, power-folding mirrors and a View Assist Package comprising HID gas-discharge headlights with automatic high-beam function.

Inside, the new Corolla hatch, which will again come to Australia from Japan, features metallic highlights around the door-pulls, audio controls, steering wheel and gear shifter, higher-quality soft-touch plastics and leather surfaces, and sportier bucket seats and steering wheels.

Toyota Australia’s Executive Director Sales and Marketing, Matthew Callachor, said motorists around the world will appreciate the new Corolla beyond the traditional Toyota strengths of quality, durability, reliability, safety and fuel efficiency.

“The strong European influence on the new Corolla embraces the spirit of 'waku-doki' - a car that is fun to own and drive due to its sharp styling as well as its responsive acceleration, accurate steering, engaging drive and excellent ride comfort,” Mr Callachor said.

First examples of the new 180-series Corolla hatch are already undergoing testing in Australia, where the new model achieved official federal Australian Design Rule certification more than a month ago.

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