Toyota Corolla EU-Version, 2014
The Toyota Corolla is the world's best-selling car. To date, 40 million Corollas have been sold worldwide since the first generation was launched in 1966, 47 years ago.
With the introduction of the new Corolla - the 11th generation - it is now manufactured in 16 production locations and sold in over 150 countries around the world.
With each new generation, the Corolla has adopted new concepts and technologies, and in its history with Toyota, the Corolla has taken the role of leader in the motorisation of Japan and the rest of the world.
The result is the new, 11th generation Corolla - a car that clearly inherits 47 years of Corolla DNA, but has been created to satisfy a wide range of global customer needs. It features an advanced, more contemporary design; improved roominess, comfort, practicality and user-friendliness; unrivalled fuel economy, improved driving dynamics and enhanced safety features.
The new Corolla builds on the model's legendary QDR with significantly enhanced quality in every aspect of its design and engineering, whilst still representing impressive value for money in every market around the world.
The Exterior Design
The 11th generation Corolla features an all-new exterior design. Highlighting the longer wheel base and reduced overall height, the design combines clean lines and balanced proportions to give the new Corolla a more sophisticated look with a prestigious and contemporary image.
At 4,620 mm long, 1,775 mm wide and 1,465 mm high, the new Toyota is 80 mm longer and 15mm wider, yet 5 mm lower, than its predecessor. The rear overhang has been reduced by 25 mm, the front overhang increased by 5 mm and the wheelbase extended by a substantial 100 mm.
The new Corolla features an evolution of Toyota's new design language.
The Keen Look and Under Priority design principles have been rebalanced, with the emphasis now placed on the upper grille for a distinctive, but more prestigious appearance.
The chrome-plated horizontal trim bars of the upper grille are visually extended into narrower, more expressive headlamp clusters to emphasise the width of the vehicle.
Equipped with a halogen low beam lamp for improved visibility, the new headlamps now incorporate 4-LED Daytime Running Lights (DRLs), strengthening the Keen Look styling of the new front treatment and giving the new Corolla greater road presence and a unique visual signature.
The two uppermost bars of the upper grille and the headlamp clusters extend along the curve of the low bonnet lip deep into the front fenders to emphasise the elegance of a unique, rounded edge bonnet design devoid of sharp angles.
The trapezoidal shape of the lower grille is defined by character lines which run up through the bumper to define the junction of headlamp and upper grille before flowing seamlessly across the bonnet and into the A pillar.
The design is further enhanced by the Keen Look detailing of integral foglamp housings with chromed surrounds, placed at the bumper extremities. The vertical 'aero corner' styling of the front fenders not only improves the new Corolla's aerodynamic efficiency, but also gives the new Toyota a wider, more purposeful stance and a more ground-hugging appearance.
In profile, the front and rear lamp clusters anchor the clean curvature of 'aero corner' fender designs which emphasise the Corolla's short front and rear overhangs. This, in conjunction with a long wheelbase and muscular front and rear wheel arches, creates a silhouette which emphasises the new Toyota's dynamic stance and elegant proportions.
The vehicle's profile is further enhanced by a character line linking the top of the front wheel arch and the rear lamp cluster, and a choice of 15" and 16" wheel designs.
To the rear, the trapezoidal form of Toyota's Under Priority design language is mirrored by the license plate recession extremities and lower bumper styling. The crisp line of the boot lip is underscored by wide new rear lamp clusters connected by a chrome license plate trim for a cleaner, more prestige appearance.
Overall, the premium build quality of the new design is highlighted by the minimal panel gaps befitting a luxury vehicle. The gap between fender and front door has been reduced from 4.0 mm to just 3.9 mm, between front and rear doors from 4.5 mm to 4.2 mm, and between rear door and quarter panel from 4.0 mm to 3.9 mm. The width of the shut line between the bonnet and front fender has been reduced from 5.4 mm to only 4.5 mm.
The new Corolla will be available in a choice of 9 exterior colours, of which four -White Pearl, Avant-Garde Bronze, Dark Blue and Dark Steel- are new to the model range.
The Aerodynamics
The new Corolla has been designed to achieve minimum levels of drag, contributing not only to enhanced cabin quietness, but also reductions in both fuel consumption and CO2 emissions.
The lowest possible bonnet line, a steeply raked windscreen and seamless roofline combined to smooth the flow of air over the vehicle.
The optimised side shape of the front foglamp housings and the sharp near-vertical surface angle of the front and rear bumper 'aero-corners' combine to reduce air turbulence along the flanks of the vehicle and over the wheel arches.
Based on advanced Formula 1 technology sakana aero stabilising fins located on the door mirrors and rear combination lamps, accelerate the airflow along the body, enhancing vehicle stability and control.
Vehicle aerodynamics are substantially improved through the adoption of a front spoiler and numerous covers designed to create a flat underbody, optimising the flow of air beneath the new Corolla. They include a full engine undercover, front suspension member covers, front and rear wheel spats, floor undercovers, a fuel tank side undercover, and a rear floor undercover incorporating sakana aero-stabilising fins to enhance high speed stability.
The Interior Design
Benefitting from a 100 mm increase in wheelbase length from 2,600 mm to 2,700 mm, the all-new, high quality interior design offers customers a superior cabin environment. It features a more spacious and comfortable cabin including a substantial increase in rear seat legroom, more comfortable seats and a greater boot capacity.
The driving position has been comprehensively revised. The seat height adjustment range has been extended by 15 mm to 60 mm, and the slide adjustment range expanded by 20 mm to 260 mm. The front seat hip point has been moved forward by 5 mm. The operating force required for the seat slide, lift and recline functions has also been reduced for ease of operability.
In conjunction with a reduction in seat height of 10 mm, the steering wheel angle has been lowered from 24 to 22 degrees. In combination, these measures offer drivers greater ergonomic flexibility for improved comfort.
Additionally, the rear passenger room has been made more spacious and comfortable , the rear seat hip point moved back by 70 mm, increasing the front to rear seat couple distance by 75 mm. Allied to a new, thinner front seatback design, this has increased rear seat leg room by 92 mm, to a class-leading 706 mm.
The seats themselves have been redesigned, and feature a longer cushion with an ergonomically curved front edge offering comfort to the widest possible range of physiques. New, thinner seatbacks proved superior lumbar and lateral support, whilst the headrests have been shaped to combine comfort with excellent whiplash protection.
Despite a 25 mm reduction in the new Corolla's rear overhang, the boot capacity has also increased to 452 litres.
The new Corolla is not only more spacious and comfortable, but also quieter than its predecessor, and the interior has been designed to offer customers class-leading quietness.
The total area of the dashboard silencer has been increased and extra sound absorption material added between the bonnet and fender liner minimising the intrusion of engine noise into the cabin.
Floor silencer material offers excellent sound absorption qualities, particularly in the area of the front footwells. And the comprehensive use of body sealer at sheet metal junctions further isolates the cabin from the intrusion of external noise.
Quality, Functionality and Ergonomic Excellence
The all-new interior design combines clean, elegant, uncluttered styling with trim and detailing to reinforce the spaciousness of the new Corolla's roomier, more comfortable interior.
The width of the cabin is reinforced by the strong horizontality of the new dashboard design. Topped by a soft, non-reflective upper surface which flows seamlessly over the driver's instrument binnacle, the dashboard face combines convex, soft-touch padding with a concave centre console panel finished in piano black.
The robust, uncluttered clarity of the new design is further emphasised by a full-width silver accent bar which separates the dashboard into upper and lower zones, and continues across the top of the door panels, enveloping the cabin and emphasising the roominess of the seating area. New, vertical front door grips are finished in the same high gloss silver.
The soft instrument panel upholstery and high-gloss piano black finishes are complimented by silver trim detailing and clear blue instrument, glove box and ambient cabin lighting to create a premium quality feel to the interior.
A choice of two premium colours, ivory or black, completes the new interior colour scheme. The new Corolla will be available in a choice of three grades; Live (entry), Active (mid) and top-of-the-range Lounge (high). A grade-dependent choice of fabric or fabric and leather seat upholstery and on Active and Lounge grades also double stitch detailing are available.
The large, easy-to-read driver's instrument binnacle may be equipped with a choice of two, grade-dependent meter designs. Active and Live grade models are equipped with a three gauge design. The large central speedometer dial incorporates a trip computer. Top-of-the-range Lounge grade models feature a two gauge layout with a central, TFT multi-information display screen. Active and Lounge grade gauges are accented with chromed rings.
In keeping with the new Corolla's revised driving position, the ergonomic positioning and easy, intuitive operability of all switchgear and instrumentation has been carefully considered.
All driving-related instrumentation and switchgear has been separated into an upper, display zone and a lower, operation zone to maximise ease of use and minimise driver distraction from the road. And the audio and navigation system controls have been located higher on the centre console for greater accessibility and visibility.
A new, 373 mm diameter steering wheel with optional paddle shifters incorporates a comprehensive array of multi-functional switches for the operation of the audio, hands free telephone, cruise control, adjustable speed limiting and multi-function display system.
The operational feel of the pedals and shift lever has been refined. The pedals have been positioned to help prevent unintended operation, and the stroke and firmness of the shift lever have been optimised for a smoother shift feel.
The capacity and usability of the new Corolla's comprehensive range of storage spaces have been improved. They include a glove box, coin box and lidded compartment in the dashboard, a centre console box and cup holders, overhead sunglasses storage, front door pockets designed to hold a 1.5 litre bottle or a road map and rear door pocket space for a 0.5 litre bottle.
Boot space functionality has been improved through the addition of an external operation opening switch under the boot lip and easier, cleaner closing through the addition of a handle mounted on the underside of the boot lid.
