Having touched upon the exteriors and the interiors, we finally place the spotlight on the driving performance of the Corolla Altis petrol AT. On the face of it, the changes to the design and interiors are not groundbreaking. But let me tell you that the mechanicals are not in the same basket.
What powers the new Toyota Corolla Altis?
The biggest change in the new Corolla Altis is the new engine. The older ZZ engine is out and in comes the 1.8L 2ZR engine with VVT-i delivering the firepower. Power has been pushed up by 7 bhp to 138 bhp @ 6,400 rpm and the engine delivers a healthy torque of 173 Nm at 4,000 rpm.
The additional power and torque has not massively altered the Corolla’s performance in a straight line. However the engine feels more responsive and the power delivery is very smooth and linear. Adequate amount of torque at lower rpm makes it very easy to drive in city traffic. The car is quick off the blocks with the 0-100km/hr sprint taking under 10 seconds.
Ever wondered how difficult it is to carry the badge of ‘The Best Selling Nameplate in the World’ on your shoulders? Or how about selling one every 40 seconds?
Yes, these are a few accolades that Toyota’s Corolla achieved in its 44 years of existence. Simply amazing!
Back home the story doesn’t change one bit. Launched in 2003, the Corolla has done more for brand Toyota than any other product that has come and gone. It is the segment leader and after after a few tense moments post launch of the Honda Civic, the Corolla is back to the top spot and is looking good to continue its dominance in 2012.
Currently the 10th generation or Corolla E140 carries the blood forward. But it has been about three years since the last design review and that was starting to show. Time for a facelift? Hell yeah!
It seems like Toyota has silently launched the Corolla Altis facelift today. The facelift is applicable to petrol and diesel variants and is priced between Rs. 10.53 – 14.77 lakhs (ex-showroom, Delhi). The petrol engine displaces 1,798cc producing 140 PS @ 6400 rpm and 173 Nm @ 4,000 rpm. The petrol engine is fitted with 16 valves and has dual VVTi (variable valve timing for inlet and exhaust valves).
The petrol engine is also mated to a new CVT with 7-speed Sequential Shiftmatic technology. The entry-level Altis comes with a 6-speed manual transmission. The technical specifications of the diesel variants have not changed. Equipment on board has been beefed up.
The new Altis gets smart entry, engine start stop button, 8-way power driver seat, cruise control, 6.1 touchscreen DVD audio system, electro-chromatic rear view mirror, HID lights, reverse sensors, headlight washers and disc brakes on all four wheels
Prices (ex-showroom, Delhi)
Toyota Corolla Altis Petrol
J- 10.53 lakh
G- 12.39 lakh
GL- 13.86 lakh
VL- 14.77 lakh
Toyota Corolla Altis Diesel
J- 11.46 lakh
G- 13.41 lakh
GL- 14.55 lakh
click through to read everything about the new Corolla Altis
CAR India reports Toyota Kirloskar Motors is planning to launch the Altis facelift in April 2011. The new Corolla Altis was spied by an Autocar India reader last month where it was also reported that a 1.6-liter petrol engine was planned to launch a sudden attack on the Honda City. CAR India’s reports echoes the same claims. The smaller 1.6 litre Valvematic petrol engine could feature on the base variants [ Read More ]
With the recent price drop and a diesel heart transplant, the Corolla Altis is certainly outselling its competitors. The December sales numbers show that the Toyota baby sold 917 units as opposed to arch rivals Honda Civic (275 units) Chevrolet Cruze (623 units) and Skoda Laura (403 units). However, Toyota Kirloskar Motors (TKM) is completing finishing touches on a facelifted version of the Altis and here we have pics of [ Read More ]
By Kaustubh Shinde
The C segment stalwart will be soon face-lifted and put on steroids in the south-Asian markets. Toyota’s Malaysian website is reporting details of the updated Corolla Altis which will be launched on 23rd of September.
It will have a brand new, range topping 2.0L dual VVT-i ZR series engine mated to a CVT gearbox with 7 virtual ratios. It will also be available in 1.6L and 1.8L form. Power would range from 121bhp for the 1.6-liter to 147 bhp for the 2-liter engine.
The Corolla also gets many a feature like VSC stability control, start-stop button, paddle shifters and dual airbags. The prices would start from RM 10,5990 (around Rs. 15 lakhs) right up to RM 13,1990 (around Rs. 19 lakhs) for the fully loaded one.
Back home, the Altis is in a good position after the introduction of the diesel variant to touch 1,500 cars or more a month. Given it is in a strong position, will Toyota think of bringing this powerful Corolla to India?
Uncertain about how different the Corolla Altis diesel will turn out to be, we proceed to bring you spy shots of the vehicle in a facelifted form from Thailand.
The Corolla Altis diesel should come with the 1.4-liter 4-cylinder CRDI borrowed from the Yaris. Estimated to produce about 90bhp, the primary agenda of this engine will be to deliver high on fuel economy. The car will be launched during the third week of this month.
The models caught here have single slat grille, chrome rails on the grille, redesigned tail lamps and even a body kit. Will this how the Indian model look like? Or will we see only a mild makeover?
click through to see the image gallery
- Only 300 units to be sold
- No change in engine configuration
- Individual personalized logos for each customer
- Available in two colours – Metallic Grey and Metallic Silver
- Priced at Rs 11.35 lakh, ex-showroom Delhi
By adding an aerodynamic front chin and rear bumper spoiler, a headlamp garnish, sleek side skirts and rear LED spoilers to the Corolla Altis, Toyota Kirloskar is said to have launched a new car – the Corolla Altis Sport.
Toyota says that the all new Corolla Altis Sport (Limited Edition) has been launched, with young car enthusiasts in mind. The company claims that this car has been designed to give customers the stylish image of a car which is youthful and sporty, and has exciting new features.
Speaking on the marketing strategy, Mr. Sandeep Singh, Deputy Managing Director (Marketing), TKM, said ,
“The new Corolla Altis Sport will be promoted extensively by an integrated marketing campaign, which leverages its association with active sports such as Tennis, Polo and Formula One, and is focused on young, urban customers. This will include web, print and magazine campaigns, direct marketing, SMS and e-DMs exclusively targeted at young professionals.”
click through for images and press release
