The eleventh generation of the world’s best-selling car nameplate with over 40 millions units sold to date, the Toyota Corolla, has been unveiled by the Japanese manufacturer. Looks like Toyota has finally listened to the critics and gave the Corolla the exciting look it always deserved.
It’s nothing special really when you look at it individually, but compare it to the old Corollas and you realize why the new model is such a big deal. For the first time in its history the Toyota Corolla doesn’t make you nod off if you stare at it for more than ten seconds. Toyota calls the new design – inspired to some extent by the Furia concept – unexpected.
The 2014 Corolla is physically larger than its predecessor and features a longer wheelbase (+ 3.93 inches/ +100 mm compared to current model). The fact that the wheels are pushed to the corners gives it a bolder presence, and all those aggressive angles and sharp edges make it look sporty. In short, the new Corolla is going to scare off the majority of its traditional customer base, mostly the elderly, and attract a younger group people.
The design revolution of the new Corolla continues inside the cabin, where you find a nice new dashboard that leans toward the driver, with large touchscreen in the middle, excellent materials, and super fit and finish. The increased dimensions mean more space for the occupants inside, as it’s clearly shown in the amount of legroom you get. 2014 Corolla’s standard gauge cluster offers three dials with sharp image detail and clear blue illumination, surrounded by chrome trimmed rings.
The new Toyota Corolla will launch with two four-cylinder engines; a 1.8-liter unit with VVT-i available on the L, LE, and S grades rated at 132 horsepower and a 1.8-liter engine with Valvematic on the LE trim, good for 140 horsepower.
New is a 7-speed Continuously Variable Transmission (CVTi-S), which Toyota says improves both the driving dynamics and efficiency. Corolla models equipped with CVTi-S offer the capability of either an ECO or SPORT driving mode. That’s right… SPORT mode in a Toyota Corolla!
