AUSTRALIANS love Corollas and have done so for 46 years. Ours was the first market outside Japan to receive the car, Corollas were built here in Melbourne for many years and on average, Australians buy almost 10 times more Corollas than the global average for the car.
I had the privilege of speaking briefly to Toyota president Akio Toyoda in Tokyo in 2011 during a visit to review and test-drive the new Toyota 86. The launch of that exciting sports coupe showed that a revolution was under way in Toyota.
The new Corolla, though obviously not in the same league for excitement as the 86, moves the car upwards in its styling and driving dynamics.
This car is bang up to date in sleek lines and in the way the lights and grille work blend together. It is powered by a 1.8-litre four-cylinder engine based on the one used in the outgoing model. It has significant changes to improve power and torque characteristic and reduce consumption.
At this stage, the Corolla is being sold only as a five-door hatchback; sedans won’t be seen until this time next year.
In the meantime, the existing sedans will remain on sale. Four grades are being offered, starting with the Corolla Ascent with a price tag of $19,990 before on-road costs. The most expensive new Corolla, the equipment-packed Levin ZR with automatic transmission, is priced at $30,490 plus on-roads.
