New Corolla Hatch: More Style, Sharper Dynamics, Less Fuel

BY Editor

New Corolla Hatch: More Style, Sharper Dynamics, Less Fuel –June 09, 2015– Seoul, Korea (Techreleased) – Toyota has revamped the styling, driving enjoyment and features of its Corolla hatch while improving fuel economy across the range.

An extensive exterior redesign introduces two distinctive new looks to the hatch versions of Australia’s best-selling car, increasing Corolla’s appeal to a wider range of customers.

Ascent and Ascent Sport grades receive a classic European-inspired outline while the higher SX and ZR grades adopt a sportier character that incorporates a body kit.

Corolla’s more dynamic exterior proportions are complemented by interior upgrades including new audio systems, suspension refinements focused on ride comfort and efficiency gains that cut fuel use by as much as 7.6 per cent^*.

Sensory quality in the cabin has been raised with a cleaner design for the dash panel and centre console along with new instrument gauges, fresh upholstery and satin chrome-plated ornaments.

Corolla Ascent hatch is now fitted with a reversing camera, making it standard across the entire Corolla range. The camera’s image is displayed on new touch-screen monitors that are also used to operate the upgraded audio system.

The new designs, added equipment and engineering updates are accompanied by price increases of just $300 on Ascent and Ascent Sport while top-of-the-line ZR is reduced by $1,000, or more than 3.3 per cent. SX prices remain steady.

Toyota Australia’s executive director sales and marketing Tony Cramb said the latest updates will give Corolla a decisive competitive edge and strengthen its claim to a third consecutive year as Australia’s best-selling car.

“Corolla hatch customers now have a clear choice between two compelling new designs: classic or sporty – both of which deliver a greater presence and visually broader stance,” Mr Cramb said.

“Buyers will also be attracted by a more stylish interior, under-the-skin tweaks that dial up the fun-to-drive factor and lower fuel consumption that will result in an even lower cost of ownership,” he said.

Two new exterior designs
The two new looks for Corolla hatch result in a car that is 55mm longer, giving stylists the opportunity to craft a more dynamic silhouette.

Longer overhangs (35mm front, 20mm rear) improve the overall balance of each design, aided by a sweeping line from the headlights to the tail-lamp cluster.

Ascent and Ascent Sport variants feature a stronger front bumper, a lower grille that runs the full width of the car, and a more prominent Toyota logo at the front that is flanked by chrome ‘wings’ and new headlight clusters. New 10-spoke 16-inch alloy wheels are fitted to Ascent Sport while 16-inch steel wheels are retained for Ascent.

The more aggressive design for SX and ZR Corolla hatch is distinguished by a piano-black honeycomb mesh pattern for the upper grille and a hexagonal lower grille between sculpted bezels that emphasise the car’s low, wide stance. The sporty image for these two grades is completed by front, side and rear skirts, a roof-mounted rear spoiler and newly developed 17-inch alloy rims with brighter, machined highlights.

Range-topping ZR Corolla hatch is equipped for the first time with Bi-LED headlights and LED daytime running lamps. Other models have halogen lamps. Foglamps are standard above Ascent.

All grades are now equipped with a shark-fin antenna. There are eight exterior colours, including new Blue Gem and Citrus.

Higher cabin quality
A more sophisticated interior results from a reduction in the visual mass of the dashboard design, cleaner integration of the instruments and a more consistent shape and finish to surfaces and trim.

Detail elements such as the air vents, door handles and gear-lever surround have been redesigned for a crisper, higher quality appearance.

Ascent’s updated audio system features a new 6.1-inch touch-screen display, AM/FM tuner, single CD player, USB and iPod^®# audio, AUX, Bluetooth^{®^} connectivity and information such as fuel efficiency history.

Ascent Sport’s audio system is enhanced with a new seven-inch touch-screen display and the introduction of Toyota Link^“ connected mobility with apps that can help drivers find a destination, fuel and weather details as well as roadside and other assistance.

In Corolla SX and ZR hatch, the seven-inch touch-screen also displays satellite navigation^** maps with real-time traffic updates, giving drivers the option of navigating to destinations found through the Toyota Link system.

For a small fee, drivers of these models can use Destination Assist^## to request the help of an operator to find a particular destination. The destination and contact details are sent to the vehicle using the Destination Download^## app.

New instruments for all models feature a cool blue illumination – a three-gauge design for Ascent and Ascent Sport and a double-gauge set-up for the SX and ZR, separated by a 4.2-inch colour multi-information display.

Revised steering wheels have V-shaped ornamentation extending below the horn pad to match the satin chrome-plated highlights throughout the more up-market cabin, giving a sportier and more harmonious interior feel.

Seat trims include black fabric for the first two grades, sporty black-and-orange for the SX and black with leather accents for ZR.

Lower fuel consumption
Australian cars are fitted with the most powerful Corolla engine available in the world, a 1.8-litre four-cylinder petrol engine with dual variable valve timing and maximum power of 103kW.

The 2ZR-FE engine features an acoustic controlled induction system to boost torque at low-to-mid engine speeds.

Efficiency gains across the board result in fuel consumption with the six-speed manual gearbox improving to 6.7 litres/100km^* (from 7.1 litres).

Corolla’s revised seven-speed Multi-Drive automatic transmission uses substantially less fuel with consumption falling to 6.1 litres/100km^* – an improvement of half a litre.

Contributing factors include quicker heating of the Multi-Drive transmission fluid at start-up and the adoption of an oil-pump system with two modes that lower drive torque. A revised transmission case reduces noise and vibration.

Paddle shifters in auto SX and ZR grades have been redesigned to make them easier to use.

Greater ride comfort and handling stability
Revisions to the front and rear suspension have improved initial roll damping, minimised friction and enhanced straight-line ride comfort.

Corolla’s MacPherson strut front suspension now incorporates revised front shock absorbers, stabiliser bushes and coils to improve ride comfort as well as handling stability.

The coil shape has been changed with lateral force-reducing springs utilised to aid ride comfort while the twist resistance of the strut bearing has been reduced, contributing to steering feel.

A fluoropolymer coating has been applied to the inner surface of the stabiliser bush, aiding ride comfort with a smoother stroke. Shock absorbers have been retuned for even better handling stability while enhanced response contributes to ride comfort.

Damping force characteristics of Corolla’s torsion-beam rear suspension have also been retuned to support enhanced ride comfort, handling and stability.

A preload differential promotes smoother take-off and manoeuvring on normal or slippery roads, a more stable steering feel at constant highway speeds and greater straight-line stability on rough roads.

Mapping of the electric power steering has been tuned for additional steering weight as vehicle speed increases.

All models now include Hill-start Assist Control^{^^}, which helps prevent the car rolling back on an incline between the driver releasing the brake and applying the accelerator. The improved system detects when the vehicle is on an incline and automatically holds the brakes for up to two seconds.

Sales success
Corolla is Toyota’s most popular model in Australia with total sales of more than 1.3 million cars in 48 years.

In each of the past two years, Corolla has led its hotly contested market segment and claimed the title as Australia’s best-selling car.

It is also leading this year’s title race with sales of almost 17,600 cars to the end of May, giving it a lead of close to 1,300 sales.

Toyota Service Advantage
Corolla hatch, like all new Toyota vehicles, is covered by Toyota Service Advantage. There is a capped price of $140 for each of up to six scheduled logbook services in the first three years or 60,000km⁺.

EQUIPMENT – MAIN FEATURES

Ascent
Vehicle stability control
Traction control
Seven airbags
ABS with BA and EBD
Reversing camera
Cruise control
Tilt-and-telescopic steering column
Emergency brake signal
Hill-Start Assist Control
Bi-halogen projector headlamps (manual levelling)
Display audio with 6.1-inch touch screen, six speakers
LCD multi-information display (MID)
Power windows, mirrors and door locks
16-inch steel wheels with full covers
205/55R16 tyres
Manual air-conditioning
Steering-wheel switches (MID, telephone, audio)

Ascent Sport (above Ascent)
16-inch alloy wheels
Seven-inch touch-screen with voice recognition
Toyota Link^“ connected mobility
– Destination Download
– Local search
– Weather
– Fuel Finder
– Toyota Help
Front fog lamps
Premium steering wheel, shift-lever knob
Privacy glass

SX (above Ascent Sport)
Satellite navigation^**
Live traffic SUNA
Additional Toyota Link functions:
– Destination Assist (pay per use)^##
– “Navigate to” for Destination Download^##, Local Search^## and Fuel Finder^##
17-inch alloy wheels with 215/45R17 tyres
Front spoiler
Rear bumper skirts
Rear spoiler (roof mounted)
Side skirts
Full-colour 4.2-inch MID screen
Sport front bucket seats
Sport seat trim
Paddle shifters

ZR (above SX)
Alarm
Smart entry and start (keyless)
Bi-LED headlamps (auto levelling)
Headlamp cleaner
LED daytime running lamps
Heated, electrically folding door mirrors
Electrochromatic rear-view mirror
Dual-zone automatic air-conditioning
Leather-accented seat trim
Driver and front passenger seat heaters
Driver’s seat power lumbar support

PRICES (six-speed manual)

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