Toyota’s new version of its small family car, the Corolla, currently the world’s best selling car with over 23 million sold worldwide since 1966, adopts a family look similar to that of the bigger Avensis. Two new VVT-i engines, 1.4 and 1.6-litre, new dash and low running costs mark out the new Corolla on sale from 1 February from £9,995.

The new Corolla employs intelligent technologies to make it a better drive and an obvious choice on any family car buyer’s shortlist. The improvements to the Corolla range reinforce the car’s market position as a reassuring and cost effective purchase.

• Two new high tech petrol engines with Toyota’s VVT-i system
• Clean and frugal new diesel engine meets European Step 3 emissions standards
• Three body styles : 3dr hatchback, 5dr liftback and 5dr estate and four well specified grades - ‘S’, ‘GS’, ‘SR’ and ‘GLS’
• Improved handling through stiffer body construction
• Sports 3dr 1.6 VVT-i ‘SR’ model with six speed gearbox
• Affordable turn-by-turn satellite navigation system optional
• High security remote double door locking standard on most models
• Anti-lock brakes with electronic brake force distribution on most models
• Integrated multi-function dashboard display standard on all models
• New choice of interior fabrics and 11 exterior colours
• UK built 5dr liftback models
• Extended service intervals and low cost of ownership
• Low insurance group ratings predicted and competitive replacement parts prices
• Toyota Drive Plans: Peace of mind purchasing and servicing
• On-the-road prices from £9,995 to £16,245
• On sale 1 February 2000

There are four trim specifications ‘S’, ‘GS’, ‘SR’ and ‘GLS’ and three bodystyles offered; three door hatchback, five door liftback and five door estate. A simple and transparent pricing and grade structure for the new Corolla has been designed to be easy for the customer to understand. For example, £500 is asked for the 5dr liftback model over the 3dr hatchback body and it costs just £1,500 to move up from ‘GS’ to ‘GLS’. Specifying the 1.6 VVT-i engine over the new 1.4 VVT-i costs £350 while the new 1.9 diesel engine costs £500 more than the 1.4 VVT-i.

The 1.6 VVT-i 3dr six-speed hatchback ‘SR’ model has its own unique trim and specification, including six-speed manual transmission and sports-tuned suspension, and costs £14,405. This ‘SR’ sports variant has an attractive insurance rating predicted to be in group 9E. The GLS top-of-the-range Corolla features power front and rear windows, velour trim, remote alarm and six disc CD digital tuner stereo. Corolla features a new multi-function display panel as standard and Toyota’s highly successful turn-by-turn satellite navigation system as an optional extra.

COMPETITIVE REPLACEMENT PARTS PRICING
Toyota is continuing to explode the myth that its replacement parts costs are expensive. Replacement of front and rear crash parts is significantly cheaper in the new Corolla compared to Peugeot 306 and Honda Civic. Specifically, the new Corolla is £479.57 while the Peugeot 306 is £611.62 and Honda Civic is £589.49.

NEW COROLLA VS THE COMPETITION
Taking into account the value of all the items of equipment that the competitor vehicles don’t have as standard, the new Corolla compares very favourably to the competition in value terms. The Ford Focus (+15.1%), VW Golf (+14.4%) and Vauxhall Astra (+13.9%) are all considerably more expensive than the equivalent Corolla 1.4 GS liftback model. The 1.6 GLS liftback model is over 14 per cent less than the premium priced VW Golf 1.6 SE.

INTELLIGENT ENGINE TECHNOLOGY MEANS LOWER RUNNING COSTS
The car features two new petrol engines - a 1.4-litre 16v and 1.6-litre 16v, which employ Toyota’s VVT-i (Variable Valve Timing-intelligent) system already seen on the award winning Yaris supermini and Toyota Celica coupé. Originally developed by Toyota for executive cars, the VVT-i system uses advanced computer control of engine valve timing to create constantly variable valve overlap. The result is higher torque output across all engine speeds, better fuel consumption and lower harmful emissions.

LOW EMISSIONS AND BETTER FUEL ECONOMY
The 1.4-litre VVT-i engine in new Corolla is one of the most advanced available in the segment and offers a 13 per cent power advantage over the average competitor in the class. Maximum power is 95bhp (71kW) at 6,000rpm and maximum torque is 96lb ft (130Nm) developed at 4,800rpm. Maximum speed is 115mph (185km/h) and acceleration to 62mph (100km/h) takes 11.8 seconds. Thanks to its superb torque characteristics and advanced VVT-i technology, fuel consumption is exceptional for an engine of this performance at 49.6 mpg on the extra-urban fuel cycle.

The new 1.6-litre VVT-i engine perfectly complements the 1.4 offering more power and torque but equally impressive fuel consumption, 47.9mpg on the extra-urban fuel cycle, as well as excellent driving characteristics. Maximum power is 109bhp (81kW) at 6,000rpm and maximum torque is boosted to 110lb ft (150Nm) at 3,800rpm. The 1.6-litre Corolla has a top speed of 121mph (195km/h) and will accelerate to 62mph (100km/h) in 9.8 seconds.

Maintenance costs are kept low as the advanced VVT-i engines in the new Corolla do not require a first/one thousand mile service and full services are only required every 20,000 miles or two years. The new 1.9 diesel engine requires an intermediate service at 6,000 miles and a major service at 12,000 miles.

To complement the advanced technology petrol VVT-i engines new Corolla is fitted with a highly efficient 1.9-litre diesel offering outstanding economy and value for money. The engine, which is available in the liftback and estate bodystyles in the UK, has been engineered to meet the stringent European Step III emissions standards which become mandatory in October this year.

The diesel engine develops 68bhp (51kW) at 4,600rpm and has maximum torque of 92 lb ft (125Nm) at 2,500rpm. Fuel economy is 42.8mpg (6.6l/100km) on the EU combined cycle. Maximum speed for the diesel Corolla is 102mph (165km/h). Acceleration from rest to 62mph (100km/h) takes 15.6 seconds. The 1.9 liftback diesel achieves 52.3 mpg on the extra-urban fuel cycle. Toyota will introduce the advanced D-4D, direct injection common rail 16-valve diesel engine to the new Corolla range later in the year.

SAFE AND SECURE
Twin front airbags and five, three point seatbelts (the front ones with pre-tensioners and electronic force limiters) are standard on all models. Anti-lock brakes are standard fit to all but the ‘S’ model to further improve safety. Engine immobiliser comes fitted as standard in new Corolla and all but the ‘S’ models are fitted with double locking security locks. This deadlocking system prevents a thief opening a door even if a window has been smashed.

TOYOTA DRIVE PLANS
Toyota Drive Plans are a fresh new approach to offer customers easy and affordable ways to drive and maintain the Toyota of their choice:

• Easy Start - Low start financial package with a personal contract purchase plan and only one rental payment in advance. Appeals to young buyers with no or little deposit.
• Easy Drive - including a servicing package and insurance option. Appeals to private and individual customers who have a fixed motoring budget.
• Easy Care - Stand alone pre-paid servicing plan purchased by 10 monthly direct debits and mileage options up to 40,000 per annum.
• Business Drive - Fully maintained Contract Hire package. Attracts business buyers.

• Brian G. Thornton road tested the VVT-i version of the new Corolla