Clever baby added to Corolla range

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The new engine is the first to appear under the banner of Toyota Optimal Drive which reflects the carmaker's commitment to making engines that are lighter and more efficient in terms of emissions and fuel efficiency, but without sacrificing performance.

In fact, the new baby Corolla produces 4% more power than the 1.4 litre engine it replaces, with 13% less emissions and 12% better fuel economy (5,9 l/100km compared to the 6,7 l/100km of the previous 1.4 engine).

The new engine is smaller and lighter than the 1,4 and produces 74kW at 6000r/min and torque of 132 at 3800r/min 132Nm.

Another new innovation is a six-speed manual gearbox, with a 6th gear that is designed mainly for cutting fuel bills on longer stretches of road.

I drove the new 1.3 for about 170 kilometres at the media launch in the Boland recently and was pleasantly surprised, in spite of my initial impression that it felt a bit soft in the muscle department.

The trouble with this car is that it looks identical to the rest of the bigger-engined Corolla range. For a 1.3 it is so spacious, quiet, smooth and comfortable that one automatically assumes it's going to have the same punch as the rest of the clan.

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But once you get the hang of the engine's flexibility and performance peaks and its new six-speed shift it is actually a very enjoyable driving experience.

Of course it's never going to be a robot racer and a tar scorcher, but that's not what it was designed to do.

Not that the engine is all that sleepy. If you show it the whip it gallops along quite merrily and once at the legal speed limit the drive cruises along effortlessly.

That is, until you hit the uphill bits which does require a bit of work with the clutch and soup spoon.

In the performance-robbing thin air in Jozi country it will require even more driver participation, particularly in stop-start, slow moving traffic.

One of the most impressive features of the Japanese baby is its excellent insulation against engine and outside noises and the smoothness of the ride.

On the road it has the quality feel of a more expensive car. The seats are comfortable and finding a driving position to suit you own driving style is easy, thanks to a fully adjustable steering column.

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The cabin lay-out is typically Toyota. Designed for functionality, it is a job well done. Sure, there is no scarcity of plastic and the dash is a bit dark and stark, but it's functional, with all the dials, gauges and twirly bits conveniently and logically positioned.

The speed-sensitive power steering is fairly well-weighted and particularly suited to city driving, and although it doesn't corner like a Carrera it feels steady on its feet, even when you drive it like a twit who wears his cap back-to-front.

There is ample backseat space for two chubbies or two ankle-biters and a dog, and the boot will swallow a golf bag and a couple of holiday suitcases with ease.

In terms of eye candy the latest Corollas won't take your breath away or get your ticker thumping into overdrive, although it is a good-looking sedan with smart, clean lines and enough hints of sportiness to give it fairly wide appeal.

The upgraded Corolla range is available in Professional, Advanced and Exclusive specification levels and even the entry-level new 1.3 Professional has a full size spare wheel, electric mirrors, rear window demister, aircon, electric speed sensitive power steering, electric windows at the front, multi-information display, seat belt warning light and buzzer, a radio/CD combination with six speakers and MP3 compatibility, ABS brakes with EBD and BAS, front and side airbags for driver and front passenger, ISOfix child restraint mounts, immobiliser, alarm and central locking.

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Pay a bit more for the 1.3 Advance version and you get all of the above plus 16 inch alloys, front fog lamps, steering wheel mounted audio controls, electric windows all round, driver knee airbag as well as curtain shield airbags front and rear, plus an RDS radio/CD combination with an in-dash six-CD changer.

Because of the Corolla's impressive specifications (all of them standard, unlike many other manufacturers who offer nice-to-haves but only as expensive optional extras), the range has become pricey, with the lowest spec new 1.3 Corolla setting you back a hefty R177,200 (about R7,000 more than the outgoing 1.4 version, but obviously the world-wide recession and the weak rand has a lot to do with that as well).

The 1.3 is available in Advanced or Professional derivatives and there are also eight other models to choose from, including two diesel models, with the top of the range model coming in at R264,000.

Buying a new car is not easy because the choice is enormous. In this country there are about 170 cars on the market that cost less than the entry level Toyota Corolla!

So, before buying a new car it is vitally important that you list your requirements in detail, including safety, performance, space, running costs, insurance, the purchase price and the costs of spares, maintenance and the rest - and then compare, compare, compare.

Do that and you will find the Corolla really is not all that expensive, particularly when you weigh up peace-of-minders such as a five-year/90,000km service plan and a three-year/100,00km warranty which are included in the purchase price.

But probably the brand's strongest ‘pull' is its long history and solid reputation for reliability and value for money.

This is the 10th generation Corolla and since the first Corolla rolled off the assembly line in Japan in 1966 more than 32 million Corollas have been sold world-wide - including about 1,2 million in South Africa.

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The Corolla is produced in 16 countries, spread over five continents, and sold in 140 markets across the world. All Corollas in South Africa are assembled in Durban although the new 1.3 engine is manufactured in Japan and fully imported.

With the Honda Accord being honoured with the status of South African Car of the Year at about the same time as the introduction of the revamped Corolla range it was a timely reminder that Corolla has won that coveted title twice - the only same model car to do so in this country.

And no doubt, the revamped range, and particularly the little newcomer, will continue to keep the Toyota flag flying high in spite of the gloom and doom of the global recession.