Toyota Corolla 2007 review

TOYOTA'S dominance of the Australian new vehicle market is set to take a big step forward with the arrival of the new Corolla.

It's heavier and stronger, and as efficient as its popular predecessor.

While not keen to nominate numbers, Toyota execs are anxious to knock GM's Commodore from the top sales spot and believe Corolla is the car to do it.

The range has been split - the Euro-styled hatchback and the more sedate Japanese-designed sedan, developed separately to maintain the different personalities.

Toyota has added structural body reinforcements and closed panel gaps to make new Corolla more aerodynamic, despite its tall-boy configuration.

Toyota executive sales and marketing director David Buttner says the new look aims to broaden Corolla's appeal and reduce the average age of ownership without alienating the loyal band of Corolla owners. “There's now a real focus on style and driving enthusiasm as we inject more passion into the Corolla brand,” Mr Buttner says.

“We have a real opportunity with people under 35 who buy around a quarter of all small cars.”

The sedan and hatch are offered in entry-level Ascent ($20,990) and mid-level Conquest grades ($25,500). The range also includes a sports-oriented Levin SX ($25,500) and ZR ($29,500) hatches, and a luxury Ultima sedan ($31,990).

All new Corollas (except the auto-only Ultima) offer the choice of an all-new six-speed manual transmission or a four-speed electronic automatic as a $2000 option.

A new 1.8-litre four-cylinder engine, produces 100kW of power (up from 93kW) at 6000rpm and torque has risen from 161Nm to 175Nm at 4400rpm. Toyota claims the new powerplant is the only engine in its class with continuously variable valve timing on inlet and exhaust ports for better performance, emissions and fuel use.

The hatch claims an ADR fuel economy figure of 7.4 litres/100km (manual), rising to 7.7 litres/100km for the auto, while the sedan returns 7.3 litres/100km in manual guise and 7.4 litres/100km for the auto.

Corolla boasts ABS brakes and dual front airbags (with a safety pack offering front-seat side airbags, curtain airbags and a driver's knee airbag on all models) but there's no stability control system on offer.

Among the other standard features are reach and rake adjustable steering, an MP3 sound system, front power windows and airconditioning, with the Conquest adding 16in alloy wheels, the full complement of airbags and the cruise control, leather-bound steering and leather gearshift, keyless entry and start, a six-CD sound system with MP3 player jack, fog lamps, Bluetooth and rear power windows as standard.

The Levin SX sports hatch adds a bodykit, with the ZR model including extra airbags, rain-sensing wipers, climate control, trip computer and auto HID headlights. The top-spec Ultima sedan has leather trim above the top-spec Levin ZR.

The first drive showed the stronger, quieter bodyshell is worthwhile but the extra weight has blunted the verve of the 1.8-litre four-cylinder - bring on the diesel and a high-performance V6 (both engines are on offer elsewhere).

The six-speed manual is a nice gearbox but the absence of a five-speed automatic is an oversight.

The four-speed auto, sampled in the sedan, is decent, with smooth changes and a level of “intelligence” that overcomes the lack of torque.

Both cars feel solid and have a level of build and material quality that others don't match.

THE STORY SO FAR

1967: Corolla, which means “crown of flowers” was launched as a small two-door sedan. Australia was the first market to receive the Corolla from Japan. The little Toyota was assembled at Port Melbourne in 1968 and won its class at Bathurst that year and again in 1969.

1970: The updated Corolla proved popular with younger buyers. It was the second-best-selling car in the world that year.

1975: Corolla was expanded to a two-door, four-door hard-top, wagon and van range. Annual sales in Australia topped 20,000 for the first time.

1981: The Corolla went wedge-shaped and this was the last of the rear-wheel-drive models. After 16 years, Corolla reached production of 10 million vehicles in March, 1983.

1995: The front-wheel-drive Corolla was born and became the first mass-produced small car in the world to feature twin-cam multi-valve technology.

1989: The sporty twin-cam 1.6-litre and then 1.8-litre engines propelled Corolla, a model critical to Toyota becoming market leader in Australia for the first time in 1991.

1994: Toyota launched a 13-model locally-manufactured Corolla range, the first built at Melbourne's Altona plant.

1998: Toyota imported the Corolla Liftback to join the locally manufactured range and it was the first Corolla offered in Australia with a front passenger airbag.

2001: Toyota unveiled an edgier style, longer wheelbase and new technology, including variable valve timing. A month before the launch total Corolla sales in Australia passed 750,000.