New Corolla has class and style

Re-designed headlamps, a broader bumper, bolder grille…and more – and she’s ready to go.

But let me explain my rather strange reasoning. When Toyota recently decided to introduce its upgraded range of Corollas to the South African motoring media it flew a group of us off to the picturesque Mpumalanga, for not only does this region have some of the finest driving roads in Africa, it also has some of the best private game lodges in the world.

We landed at Nelspruit airport and from there we headed for the Sabie Sands Game Reserve and a rather exclusive four-star lodge called the Cheetah Plains Private Game Reserve.

I did the three-hour drive from the airport to the lodge in the newly nipped-and-tucked 1,6-litre Corolla (which also happens to be my first choice of the new model range, but more of that later).

Wild Africa

Shortly after arriving at the lodge it was game drive time in an open vehicle, an adventure journey I have been on many times, with varying success and pleasure because really good sightings are fairly rare and much bouncing about and freezing cold is more the norm.

But not this trip. Within an hour we came across seven young lions, snoring happily, their bellies extended, after having just feasted on a fair-sized zebra.

Less than 10 minutes later we found not one (which is rare enough!), but two leopards in a marula tree with their kill, a young impala.

And there was more to follow: a lone, large hyena, sniffing the gravel track right next to our vehicle, a lone pearl spotted owl (the smallest of its species in Africa), a lesser bush- baby, happily leaping from bush to bush, a large white-tailed mongoose and just before we drove back into our base camp, an African wild cat on the prowl for its evening meal.

But to the business at hand...

And for such generous blessings from Mother Nature I believe we have Lady Luck, our ranger Greg Posthumus and the new Corolla to thank!

So, let me tell you about the "new" Corolla range which is amazingly smart and stylish. Yep, we all know that "stylish", "smart" and "Toyota" are not words often used in the same sentence, but it certainly is fully justified when describing the rejuvenated Corolla range.

Everything you need to know - at a glance.click to enlarge

Corolla has been South Africa's favourite sedan for more than three decades, not because it has ever been smart and stylish, but because it has a rock solid reputation for being a solid, reliable, economical, well-priced value for money family car.

Times have changed. Prices have gone up and the Corolla now has impressive specifications and along with it, much better looks, lots of comfort and safety features and enough class and appeal to keep most of its competitors at bay.

From a rather dull, boxy mum's taxi it has changed into a car handsome enough to be perceived by teenagers to be cool enough to be dropped off in at school.

Raring to go

Sporting a new "low and wide" design with re-designed headlamps, a broader bumper with integrated trapezoidal grille, embedded fog lights bezels and a bolder grille with chrome trim inserts, new alloys and even side mirrors with integrated turn signals, the Corolla looks fresh and ready to go.

And the cabin matches the bolder exterior with a fully adjustable flat-bottomed steering wheel (a la Audi) with audio buttons (and for the Bluetooth system on the fancier models), and an elegant new instrument panel with silver trim and ice white lighting.

The refreshed living quarters are well matched by a six speed manual gearbox and, in some of the models, a four-speed auto box, air conditioning, speed-sensing automatic door locks, a radio/CD player with full iPod, USB and MP3 connectivity, airbags, anti-lock brakes (ABS) with electronic brake force distribution (EBD) and braking assist (BAS), a high mounted LED stop lamp and front electric windows, even on the entry-level Corolla.

Safety features include as many as seven airbags, side impact beams, ISOFIX anchoring points for baby seats and whiplash impact lessening (WIL) headrests.

The new range offers a wide range of choices and four grade levels, namely Impact, Professional, Advanced and Exclusive, with the latter offering specifications such as keyless access, rain sensing wipers, automatic air conditioning, leather seat and door trim, self-levelling high impact discharge (HID) front lights, cruise control, knee, curtain, and front airbags and side airbags for the driver and front passenger.

The upgraded Corolla offers the choice of three petrol and one diesel engine, starting off with a 1,3-litre fuel-injected engine that produces 74kW at 6000rpm, 132Nm of torque at 3800rpm and a maximum speed of 180km/h.

Fast enough for most

Next up the ladder is a 1.6 litre 16-valve petrol engine that churns out 90 kW at 6000rpm and 154Nm at 5200rpm for a top speed of 192km/h, while only emitting 162g/km of CO2 emissions in manual mode. A four-speed automatic gearbox is also on offer when opting for the 1.6 litre version.

(On the launch drive I drove both the 1,6 auto and manual, as well as the 2,0-litre auto and manual models and the 1,6 manual would be my value for money choice of the range).

The crown price of the petrol models is a new 2.0 litre petrol engine. With 16 valves, electric fuel injection, dual VVT-i and two overhead camshafts, it delivers 102kW at 5600rpm and 189Nm at 4400rpm. Both auto and manual versions have a top speed of 200km/h.

The oil-burner option is the popular (and frugal) Optimal Drive 2.0 D-4D turbo-charged engine which, thanks to a common rail piezo injection system, low weight and low friction components, delivers 93kW at 3600rpm and 300Nm of torque from as low down as 1800rpm.

Quiet, now

On the road the four different models I drove felt much classier than their prices indicate. Road holding is good, thanks to MacPherson struts up front and tauter suspension and the ride is a pleasant compromise between performance and comfort.

The elegant new instrument panel with silver trim and ice white lighting.click to enlarge

Corolla has never been known for its sharp steering and although the new models have a slightly better feel, it is still dulled by an electric power steering system which, although pleasant and pleasing for the average Toyota driver, will leave the more enthusiastic driver a little disappointed. But then in fairness, enthusiastic drivers are hardly likely to buy a Corolla...

What is also immediately obvious is that much improvement has been done to insulate the cabin against the usual intrusions of wind, road and engine noise. Even at a fair lick the cabin is quiet, without any necessity to turn up the music volume.

Safe, my mate

Being aimed very much at the family market Toyota places a high premium on safety and the Corolla has a five-star Euro NCAP rating, thanks to safety measures such as up to seven airbags, side impact beams, ISOFIX anchoring points for baby seats and whiplash impact lessening (WIL) headrests.

The range caters for a wide range of budgets and wallets, but even the entry level 1,3 kicks off with an "ouch" price of R177 700... and from there prices run all the way to R282 000 for the flagship 2.0 D-4D Exclusive.

The living quarters have been refreshed and, depending on the model, have just about anything and everything a driver could want.click to enlarge

It's no good doing the old codger on a park bench bit, but just for the record in 1975 4492 1,6-litre Corollas were sold at a new listed price of R3275. In 1976, even though the price had increased by nearly R300, Toyota sold 7687 of them. Times must have been bad in 1977 because by then the price increased to a whopping R4295, with the result that only 5710 acquired new owners...

But how's this comparison? The "hot" 1977 Corolla SR5 pushed out 76kW and 137Nm. The new 2010 baby" 1,3 Corolla delivers 74kW and 132Nm

But back to the present and all models are now sold with a three-year/100 000km warranty and a five-year/90 000km service plan. All new Corollas also benefit from the ToyotaCare's Roadside Assistance Programme, which offers 24 hour roadside assistance and added benefits, such as a jump start service, help with changing a flat tyre and a key lockout service.

New models and prices

1.3 Impact	R177 700
1.3 Professional	R185 800
1.3 Advanced	R201 800
1.6 Professional	R207 400
1.6 Advanced	R222 800
1.6 Advanced 4 A/T	R233 300
2.0 Exclusive w/o VSC	R258 500
2.0 Exclusive 4 A/T w/o VSC	R268 800
2.0 Exclusive with VSC	R262 900
2.0 Exclusive 4 A/T with VSC	R273 200
2.0D Advanced	R253 500
2.0D Exclusive	R282 000

Specifications

Toyota Corolla in the US