New Toyota Corolla lay siege ahead 2014

For decades, the Corolla, aptly described in automotive circles as Toyota’s flag bearer has dominated Nigeria’s compact-car market and has remained so in the passenger vehicle line-up for a very long time. BusinessDay had a glimpse of the new model in South Africa during the last Johannesburg International Motorshow.

The nameplate is so ubiquitous that the Corolla has become part of Nigerian fabric. . Last year, saloons constituted more than half of new-vehicle sales in the compact market and, given the proliferation of small SUV and crossover contenders, the Corolla and its four-door contemporaries are under siege from a sales point of view.

Clad in a sophisticated, spacious shell replete with an upmarket and feature-packed interior, the next-generation Corolla is set for introduction into various markets including Nigeria in 2014. Upon arrival, market watchers say it will purport a renewed focus on durability, reliability and most notably value-for-money.

Longer, lower and wider than its predecessor, the latest (11th generation) Corolla incorporates Toyota brand’s keen interest in priority styling motifs. The squared-off corners and elongated three-box profile are typically Corolla, but the newcomer has a much more dynamic front end. The bars of the grill extend into the oversized LED-adorned trapezoidal headlamp clusters to give it a broad, thrusting nose.

The flanks sport character lines that emphasize the rear arches as well as the kicked-up leading edges of the side glass areas. At the back, protruding wraparound tail lamp clusters and a centrally mounted chrome bar contribute to wedge-like rear three quarter profiles.

In effect, the Corolla has an almost compact-executive like kerb presence, which is significant, because as the automaker points out, the new comer is packaged and specified in ways that would make it a natural stepping stone for prospective buyers.

The most notable aspect of the interior is the huge stride that Toyota has taken in increasing the space afforded to rear passengers ( and that is in addition to enlarging the boot capacity). The newcomer may be classified in the compact class, but there is generous leg and headroom at the back.

The horizontal cliff-like facia architecture has been carried over largely unchanged, but the new dashboard sports piano-black finish on the intuitive touch screen infotainment system, a soft-touch dashboard and tasteful silver accents.

The driver’s seat is positioned low for a more engaging driving position and the quality of the stitching of the fabric trim looks smart and durable. Instrument panel features quite youthful, sporty lettering and although the electric blue colour of the digital clock readout seems at odds with the black-on-grey LCD display of the dual-zone climate control system, the cool blue back lighting of the instrument cluster and facia during night driving everything in sync.

Among some of the good features is a redesigned ABS system that offers positive stopping power and the steering is fast and accurate. There is a 1.8-liter sport model with a six-speed manual box on the cards.

The new Corolla exhibits ample road holding ability and progressive body control when driven with verve. As for self-shifting model options, the previous four-speed torque converter automatic has been superseded by a “seven-step” continuously variable transmission (Mutidrive S) which can be operated in automatic, sport or manual modes.

Toyota has sometimes been criticized for not offering class-leading value for money. However, as was the case with the recent, Toyota South Africa, hub of most imports into Nigeria and other countries within sub-Sahara has undertaken to prioritize competitive pricing with the launch of the just concluded Johannesburg International Motorshow (JIMS).

Locally specified models coming to Nigeria will be equipped with dual zone climate and cruise control, seat heating, keyless entry and start, as well as park-assist system all which are under consideration.