Toyota has facelifted and re-engineered its top-selling Corolla with a major exterior and interior redesign. Updates of this three-year-old model include a new front bumper with new fog light design, new grille, new front lights, exterior mirrors with integrated turn signal, new aluminium wheel design, new rear bumper with new integrated reflectors, new rear combination lamps and new number plate garnish. Interior changes include a new square-bottomed, thick rimmed steering wheel, bright silver detailing and USB, iPod and Audio integration, Optitron instrumentation with white illumination and steering wheel controls for audio system and Bluetooth cell phone hands-free integration. The new headlamp design, which is both thinner and sharper, is the first change to catch the eye. From the lower edge of the headlamps the eye is taken first to the broad, squared off front bumper. The bumper with integrated trapezoidal grille and longer fog light bezels gives the Corolla a strong, purposeful stance. This is further emphasised by the bolder front grille, with integrated fine chrome inserts on certain models. From the upper tip of the front headlamp one’s eye travels along the strong shoulder line past the changed alloy wheel design to the new side mirrors with integrated turn signals.

Further along the shoulder line to the back of the Corolla there are new, wider rear combination lamps. The lamps, with chrome detailing, are linked by a wide number plate garnish. The new garnish, along with a square and sporty new rear bumper with integrated reflectors, share the front design’s goal of emphasising the low, wide and purposeful look of the new Corolla. New exterior colours, notably Golden Gleam Metallic, Midnight Blue Metallic and Graphite Grey Metallic, round off the exterior changes. Inside the new Corolla one will immediately notice the new steering wheel. The wheel is thicker and sports a squared off bottom section that is in line with the more athletic design of the exterior. The steering wheel is adjustable for height and reach and now has buttons for the audio and Bluetooth system on the Advanced and Exclusive grades. Behind the steering wheel is a redesigned three dimensional Optitron instrumentation panel (on Advanced and Exclusive grades) with new white illumination. The steering wheel, door trim highlights and centre console highlighting have changed to a brighter silver to ensure that the interior, while remaining a very comfortable place to be, speaks the same design language as the exterior. With a six speed gearbox, air conditioning, speed-sensing automatic door locks, a radio/CD player with full iPod, USB and MP3 connectivity, at least two airbags, an adjustable steering wheel, anti-lock brakes (ABS) with electronic brake force distribution (EBD) and braking assist (BAS), a high mounted LED stop lamp and front electric windows on the most affordable Corolla, it is clear that even the most price sensitive buyers will not be disappointed.

The upgraded Corolla is now available in four grade levels, namely Impact, Professional, Advanced and Exclusive. With each higher grade the level of specification and luxury increases and this culminates in the Exclusive trim, available only with the 2.0 petrol and turbo diesel models, which offers luxury specifications such as keyless access, rain sensing wipers, automatic air conditioning, leather seat and door trim, self-levelling high impact discharge (HID) front lights, cruise control, knee, curtain, and front airbags and side airbags for the driver and front passenger. The upgraded Corolla offers the choice of three petrol and one diesel engine. The highly acclaimed Optimal Drive 1.3 litre four cylinder petrol engine is equipped with low friction components, dual intelligent variable valve timing (Dual VVT-i) and electric fuel injection. All of these technologies combine to offer more power from a less cubic capacity. This is evident in the engine’s maximum power output of 74kW at 6,000rpm, its 132Nm of torque at 3,800 rpm and its maximum speed of 180km/h. The well known and willing 1.6 litre 16 valve petrol engine utilises dual VVT-i and delivers 90kW at 6,000 rpm and 154Nm at 5,200 rpm for a top speed of 192km/h, while only emitting 162g/km of CO2 emissions in manual mode. A four speed automatic gearbox is also on offer when opting for the 1.6 litre version. Crowning the petrol-trio is a new 2.0 litre petrol engine. With 16 valves, electric fuel injection, dual VVT-i and two overhead camshafts, the new two litre delivers 102kW at 5,600 rpm and 189Nm at 4,400rpm. The two litre model, in manual or auto guise, will reach a maximum speed of 200km/h. For diesel loving Corolla drivers Toyota has retained the powerful and frugal Optimal Drive 2.0 D-4D. This engine combines the benefits of a common rail piezo injection system, low weight and low friction components and turbo charging to extract 93kW at 3,600 rpm and 300Nm of torque in a wide band between 1,800 rpm and 2,400 rpm.

The range of engines available in the new Corolla delivers power through a six speed manual, or, in some models, a four speed automatic gearbox. Power is delivered to the front wheels with McPherson struts ensuring vehicle stability and assisting steering feel. The suspension supports the electric power steering which has been calibrated for more feel from the onset. A torsion beam system is employed at the rear, while the damping ratios that has made the Corolla’s ride quality famous, has been retained. At the launch of the 10th generation Corolla, Toyota’s engineers emphasised the high level of sound dampening in the new model. This included greater under-body dampening and even sound dampening material in all wheel wells. This have been retained in the upgraded model, which boasts a noise level of only 64.4 dB at a constant cruising speed of 100 km/h, which is of the best in its class. The latest Corolla is the proud recipient of a five star rating in the stringent European New Car Assessment Programme (Euro NCAP) crash test assessment. With up to seven airbags, side impact beams and ISOFIX anchoring points for baby seats at the top and base of the rear seats it is no wonder that the Euro NCAP commended the Corolla’s performance. The Corolla also features whiplash impact lessening (WIL) headrests. Ten models of the upgraded and more refined Corolla are on offer from dealers. The range starts with the budget-friendly 1.3 Impact version for R177,700 and is topped by the two litre D-4D Exclusive, with the most powerful engine and the longest list of specifications, at R282,000. All models are sold with a three year/100,000km warranty and a five year/90,000km service plan. All new Corolla’s benefit from the ToyotaCare’s Roadside Assistance Programme, which offers 24 hour roadside assistance and added benefits, such as a jump start service, help with changing a flat tyre and a key lockout service, to name but a few.