Toyota Corolla - 2011-2012 Toyota Corolla - Review by Vehicle Traders

Vehicle Traders Mobile

Corolla

Disclaimer

During the recent media launch of the new Corolla 1.3 with Toyota’s Optimal Drive engine technology a significant improvement in fuel economy was promised and then proven by participating journalists themselves in a practical evaluation drive.

Consumption figures obtained during the series of three media functions staged around the country surprised even the harshest critics of the combination of a small capacity engine in a relatively large body.

Twenty-nine of South Africa’s top motoring journalists drove the new Corolla 1.3 on economy run type events held in Durban, Cape Town and Gauteng. During these three regional launches the journalists were required to drive the new Corolla 1.3 over a route consisting of urban, extra-urban and highway driving conditions within a set time limit. Average speeds for the different routes were just over 80 km/h.

Although Toyota claims an average fuel consumption of 5.9 litres/100 km for conditions similar to those experienced by the journalists for this latest Corolla model, the journalists attained an average figure of just 5.27 litres/100 km – nearly 19 km (18.98) per litre!

While the expectation was that the best consumption figures would be attained at sea level, these were in fact realised in Gauteng at high altitude. The ten journalists included in this group averaged a measly 4,88 litres/100 km – or 20.49 km per litre of fuel used.

The new 1.33 litre Dual VVT-i engine now fitted as standard to the Corolla 1.3 delivers top-level dynamic performance with reduced noise levels and excellent environmental performance. Compared to the 1.4 litre engine that it replaces, the new engine offers as much as a 17% saving in fuel consumption together with an increase of 4% in power.

The engine package is smaller and a full 13kg lighter than the unit it replaces. The space and weight saving initiative is carried through to the transmission with an all-new 6-speed manual unit replacing the 5-speed manual transmission that was used together with the 1.4 litre engine. The compact and lightweight 6-speed transmission is now also fitted to the Corolla 1.6 models.

Toyota’s Optimal Drive 1.33 engine as fitted to the Corolla 1.3 provides real gains for the user in terms of economy, performance, and lower emissions. With maximum power increased to 74 kW and with the improved flexibility offered by the 6-speed transmission an improvement in dynamic performance is immediately felt.

The average fuel consumption target set for the Corolla 1.4 by Toyota engineers was 6,7 l/100km. The target for the same car fitted with the 1.33 engine and 6-speed transmission is 5.8 l/100km. At the same time CO2 emissions are reduced from 158 g/km to 136 g/km, an improvement of 14%.

The dual VVT-i engine ensures excellent flexibility with a broad torque range together with excellent power for an enhanced everyday driving experience.

Fuel consumption recorded on the launch:

DURBAN:

Average: 5.31 L/100 18.83 Km/L

CAPE TOWN:

Average: 5.61 L/100 17.83 Km/ L

JOHANNESBURG:

Average: 4.88 L/100 20.49 Km/L

All Groups Average: 5.27 L/100 18.98 Km/L

Toyota’s Corolla range was the top seller for September, the first full sales month of the new Corolla sedan and Auris hatch models. Sales of the Corolla range totalled 3 242 units as reported by NAAMSA and contributed to 21,6% share of the total market for Toyota for the month.

In the light commercial sector the Hilux continued to outperform its competitors with a sector leading 2 641 sales.

Total industry sales for the month as reported by NAAMSA were 55 837 units, down 11,7% on sales in September 2006. Passenger vehicles accounted for 36 833 of those sales, light commercials -15 987, medium commercials - 1 181, heavy vehicles - 638, and extra heavy vehicles -1 062. Buses accounted for the remaining 136 sales.

“The vehicle market is experiencing difficult trading conditions as the higher cost of credit impacts increasingly on disposable income,” says Toyota President and CEO, Johan van Zyl. “Vehicle sales in September were subdued as buyers, particularly those in the private sector, lost their appetite for credit. This is clearly evident in the greater spread seen between private and fleet sales with the fleet sector in recent months.

“Passenger vehicle sales are down 12,9% compared to September 2006 while light commercial deliveries, which have provided strong support for the market over the past few months, dropped by 10% compared to the same month last year. Medium commercial sales are down 21,4%. The only growth sectors in September were the heavy, extra heavy, and bus sectors, and some of the heat has come of those markets as well.

“The net result of this is that the vehicle market is now running at 2,9% below 2006 year on year – some 15 500 vehicles short of where we were this time last year.”

When talking about a global brand, not just specifically about automobiles, but rather about any global brand name that has taken the world by storm; you can’t miss the name Toyota Corolla.

This can be said boldly and unashamedly because the Toyota Corolla is a brand name that has become exceptionally popular around the world with significant demand across the divide of culture and race. It has carved unmatched sales records globally which has led to Toyota Corolla becoming one of the foremost household names in the world. It is estimated that every 40 seconds, for over the last 40 years, a Toyota Corolla is exchanging hands in a sale. What an unbelievable record.

The car comes as part of a line of subcompact and compact cars manufactured by Toyota, a Japanese car maker. The original name plate first hit the market in 1966 and again in 1967. the nameplate was the best selling nameplate in the world, registering over 35 million units, sold by year 2007. The extent of the market influence of the Corolla is also evidenced by the number of generations the brand has gone through. As of 2011, ten generations have been recorded.

The name Corolla comes as an “umbrella” term of most variant models in the range. The name Crown is also used by Toyota in primary models, while the name Corona is derived from the Latin word for crown, and the name Corolla itself means small crown in Latin. The name Camry, used by Toyota in one of its car ranges, is a Japanese name for crown, kanmuri. This revolutionary design and manufacture is produced virtually across the globe having plants in Japan, Brazil, Canada, China, Indonesia, Malaysia, India, Indonesia, Pakistan, Philippines, South Africa, Taiwan, Thailand, Turkey, the United Kingdom and Venezuela. For some reason production in the United States ended in March 2010.

There are an array of model lines by Toyota, designed on the back of the Corolla chassis that include models such as the Toyota Ceres, Sprinter Marino, Corolla Levin and Sprinter Trueno sports coupés and hatchbacks and the Corolla FX hatchback, the Corolla RunX and the Allex..

The first generation model, coded E10, was introduced in October 1966 while the second generation model, coded E20, was introduced in 1974 as bigger, heavier and rounder model. The fourth generation was manufactured as a square edged design and coded E70 in March 1979. A fifth generation model with sloping front bonnet and a contemporary sharp-edged, no-frills style was brought in during May 1983 under the code name E80 while an E90, coming as the sixth model, was manufactured in May 1987 with an aerodynamic style. As part of the seventh generation was the E100 and this was redesigned in year 1991 to produce the Corolla Levin AE101.

The eighth generation coded E110 entered the market in 1995 while the ninth generation coded E120 and E130 debuted in November 2000 and got the name Corolla Altis in the ASEAN market. The tenth generation received the code names E140 and E150 and was introduced in October 2006. In the Japanese market, it was called the Corolla Axio, while in Japan, it retained the brand name Altis.

The current Toyota Corolla is available in three trim levels: base, LE and S. The S model features various sporty touches such as alloy wheels, a rear spoiler and a body kit coming on a 1.8-liter, 132-horsepower four-cylinder engine and operating on a five-speed manual transmission or a four-speed automatic.

The 2010 Corolla is a front-wheel drive sedan available in five trims. It’s designed as a 2.4-liter engine with standard anti-lock brakes. Talk about safety! Toyota will reveal that the car has been rated excellent as far as safety is concerned. It performed well in federal government and insurance industry crash tests and was voted Top Safety Pick for good performance in front, side, rear and roof strength tests. The 2010 model provides standard Vehicle Stability Control and Traction Control for all trims

The interior of the Corolla is not boring, as can be found on some car models. It comes with goodies that include a CD stereo that can read MP3s, plus a AUX jack to plug in an MP3 player and it plays most forms of digital audio. Also offered by Toyota is the Enhanced Safety Pack for base model Corollas as an option for the Corolla. It therefore cannot be disputed, based on the above history and outlay of design and artwork, that the name Toyota Corolla remains a household name, not just in some markets, but globally. So why not get one and be part of the family that drives arguably the most famous car model around the globe.