If news from AutocarIndia is to be believed, then the new Corolla is all set to encompass a wider section of the Indian sedan market. According to ACI, Toyota is all set to drop a 1.6L in the Corolla. This way, the Corolla will now also cover the C+ segment.
Now a Teambhp member has spotted this soon-to-be-launched face lifted Corolla in Mangalore. From the images, you must have noticed that this is not a major product overhaul, but a minor facelift.
The headlamps have become sharper along with a new front bumper. The tail lamps have also been given a new look. There is a new rear chrome lip (borrowed from the Etios anyone?)
Toyota Corolla Altis Interiors
The interior hasn’t changed much except for some chrome garnish on the steering wheel and on the gear knob. Apart from that, everything pretty much remains the same.
If it is a minor facelift, why is Toyota testing it so extensively? Are the 1.6L rumors indeed true? If they are then expect a major shakedown in the C+ sedan segment. Currently, the C+ sedan segment is dominated by the Honda City. The moment the Corolla enters this segment, all the major contenders such as SX4, Vento, soon-to-be-launched Fiesta, will face severe heat from the brand ‘Toyota’.
Expect the car to go on sale in the next 3-4 months.
Source – Team-Bhp.com
[...] 1.8-liter petrol and 1.4-liter diesel, will also be retained. This puts an end to speculations of a smaller 1.6-liter petrol engine to take on the Honda [...]
Interesting … But it would say it is good move to compete with Ventos and City.. Let us see how they price this new model.
@MVK: hehe…It does look like a Chevy logo…but I believe that because of the way the pic is taken…Rest assure still a Toyota
Shreekar, you might be wrong in your perception. India is country not obsessed with engines but with brands and names, had that been the case the Corolla 1.4 Diesel would have never tasted success. Superb and Accord also comes with two engine options & the one with less horses sells more than the one with higher grunt.
Tail lamp area resembles volvo s60. Back side, in general has the look of an old camry with some chrome work. But most importantly, isn’t that the chevy logo on the steering wheel??
Laura & Cruze will be the biggest gainers from this.
No car in Indian Auto history has survived while attempting to compete in 2 diff segments. It usually makes the car move to the lower segment.
In this case Corolla going lower [which will happen due to "cheap" perception by Indians] Cruze & Laura will be left with a huge segment and no competitors !!