New Toyota Corolla offers a quiet drive

THE 11th generation of Toyota’s Corolla finally arrived in South Africa.

The new Corolla is not only more spacious and comfortable, but also quieter than its predecessor. The interior is designed to offer customers top-class quietness.

The soft instrument panel upholstery and high-gloss piano black finishes are complimented by chrome trim detailing and clear blue instrument, glove box and cabin lighting to create a premium, quality feel to the interior.

The new Corolla is now available in a choice of four models: Esteem (entry level), Prestige (mid-level), Sprinter (sport) and the Exclusive (top of the range).

All models, except the Esteem, come with a new, leather-covered, multi-functional steering wheel, incorporating a wide array of switches for the operation of the audio, the hands-free telephone and multi-function display system.

The Exclusive has the added functionality of cruise control.

The line-up features a choice of an all-new 1.4 litre D-4D turbo diesel and three petrol engines, a 1.33 litre Dual VVT-i unit, a 1.6 litre Dual VVT-i engine and new unit, the 1.8 litre Dual VVT-i.

All these engines are now fitted with six-speed manual transmissions, but the 1.6 and 1.8 petrol variants can be mated to Toyota’s new Multidrive S automatic transmission.

The 1.33 litre Dual VVT-i petrol engine generates 73kW at 6 000rpm and maximum torque of 128Nm at 3800rpm while the 1.6l Dual VVT-i petrol engine is available with either a six-speed manual or new Multidrive S automatic transmission. This engine develops 90kW at 6 000rpm and a maximum torque of 154Nm at only 5 200rpm.

The 1.8l Dual VVT-i petrol engine replaces the 2.0 litre unit of the outgoing model range. A new 1.8 litre petrol engine is fitted to the top-end Corolla models. It develops 103kW at 6 400rpm, and a maximum torque of 173Nm at 4 000rpm.

The 1.4l D-4D diesel engine engine produce 66kW and maximum torque of 205Nm at only 1 800 to 2 800rpm.

A new, high-gear, high efficiency Multidrive S automatic transmission is fitted as an option on the 1.6 and 1.8 petrol versions of the new Corolla.

Multidrive S may be operated in three modes; a fully automatic, seamless shift mode, sport mode or the seven-speed sport sequential shiftmatic mode.

For a more sporting driving experience, the sevenspeed sport sequential shiftmatic mode offers drivers manual override control of the transmission, operable by the gearshift lever.

In this mode, the transmission performs close ratio upshifts in perceptible steps, and has a direct downshift feeling under braking and deceleration.

The vehicle is equipped as standard, with an Anti-lock Braking System (ABS), incorporating Electronic Brakeforce Distribution (EBD) and Brake Assist (BA).

Traction Control (TRC) and Vehicle Stability Control (VSC) are available as standard on Sprinter and Exclusive models, and an improved Hill Start Assist Control is fitted to vehicles equipped with VSC.

It now operates brakes for a maximum of two seconds after the driver releases the brake pedal to avoid rolling back on an incline.

Pricing, warranty and service plan:

• 1.3 Esteem – R214 900.

• 1.3 Prestige – R232 900.

• 1.4 D Esteem – R237 900.

• 1.4 D Prestige – R249 900.

• 1.6 Esteem – R225 900.

• 1.6 Prestige – R241 900.

• 1.6 Prestige Multidrive S – R252 900.

• 1.6 Sprinter – R248 900.

• 1.8 Prestige – R251 900.

• 1.8 Exclusive – R272 900.

• 1.8 Exclusive Multidrive S – R283 900.

The new Corolla offers a three-year or 100 000km warranty and comes with a standard five-year or 90 000 km service plan.

Service intervals are set at 15 000km, including the 1.4 D.

The new models are also supported by the Toyota Care Roadside Assistance Programme, which entitles customers to 24-hour roadside assistance.