Toyota-Kirloskar Motor (TKM) launched Corolla on Indian Road. The Corolla sold here is the version sold in South-East Asia, not the ultra-complex European version. The car has strong brand image.  The Corolla also gives the impression that it is larger than it actually is and also hides its space-efficient, mildly cab-forward stance quite nicely.

 

The Corolla is the longest and lightest car in its segment. One drawback in the tinny build, which does not feel up to the standards one expects from Toyota, and feels considerably poorer than its rivals.

 

The Corolla uses MacPherson struts in front, and a non-independent torsion-bar set-up at the rear. The Corolla’s interiors are light and airy. The in-dash six-CD changer (on the top version) works well and the electronically controlled air-con is brilliant as well. The Corolla seat comfort is the best. It has a comfortable back seat. The front seats are large and supportive and the overall interior space is extremely generous.

 

Other features include the anti-lock braking system (ABS) which was conspicuous by its absence until now, a headlamp beam adjuster roller that can be operated from the driver’s seat and outer rearview mirrors with ultra-violet ray protection.  New insulation has been added under the bonnet and doors have been given double seals. As a result the new Corolla is now more refined but noise still manages to creep into the cabin, especially when you rev the engine hard.

 

The ride and handling of the Corolla was never its strength. It was quite squirmy on rough roads and the factory-fitted tube-type tyres and India-spec high ground clearance didn’t help matters. At high speeds the car would get light and floaty and never gave drivers the kind of confidence an Octavia does at expressway speeds. Toyota has tackled this problem by offering tubeless tyres as standard fitment thereby reducing the hard edge of the earlier tube tyres. The rear suspension too has been modified by shortening the springs and lengthening the stroke of the dampers. Low speed ride is much better now and you can happily read the newspapers from the immensely comfortable back seat.

 

The Corolla has the best petrol engine in the class. Toyota powered by variable valve timing motor engine. Throttle responses are immediate and the engine delivers its torque in an even manner and enthusiastically. As a result, it is happy pottering around in traffic or burning up the track. Because it only has to pull a kerb weight of 1160kg, it squeezes out 100 kilometres in a class-topping 9.07 seconds. Squash the throttle for 21.8 seconds and you’ll be doing 150kph, the motor snarling in anger towards the top of the power band. It is an audible engine though, and it gets boomy and raucous at high revs; plus, the manual gearbox is notchy.

 

The Corolla also has an automatic variant which works well in the city. Fuel economy is good, with the manual variant returning 8.2kpl in the city and 13.6kpl on the highway; the auto gives only 7.7kpl in the city and 11.2kpl on the highway.

Filed under: Toyota Cars in India