Toyota South Africa has refreshed its most popular passenger vehicle, the Corolla. Nearly three years since the launch of the current model in September 2007, Toyota believe its new design and higher level of specification will give it the substance to retain this position.

With the facelifted Corolla, Toyota’s designers chose to emphasising the car’s “low and wide” design, while retaining the appeal that has ensured worldwide success. The new headlamp design is now both thinner and sharper, while the front bumper is more square and is matched with a bolder front grille, with integrated fine chrome inserts on certain models.

The Corolla’s profile has been enhanced with a redesigned set of alloy wheels and side mirrors with integrated turn signals.

Towards the back of the car are a set of wider tail-light clusters, linked by a wide number plate garnish. The new garnish, along with a more square and sporty rear bumper tie-in with the front design’s goal of emphasising the low, wide and more purposeful look of the new car.

New exterior colours, notably Golden Gleam Metallic, Midnight Blue Metallic and Graphite Grey Metallic, round off the exterior changes.

Inside the new Corolla receives a new, thicker steering wheel with a square edged bottom. The steering now has buttons for the audio and Bluetooth system on the Advanced and Exclusive specification levels. Behind the steering wheel is a redesigned instrumentation panel (on Advanced and Exclusive grades) with new white illumination. The steering wheel, door trim highlights and centre console also receive bright silver highlighting.

The Toyota Corolla is generously specced with a long list of features including: a six speed gearbox; air conditioning; a radio/CD player with full iPod, USB and MP3 connectivity; at least two airbags; anti-lock brakes (ABS) with electronic brake force distribution (EBD) and braking assist (BAS); a high mounted LED stop lamp and front electric windows on the most affordable Corolla.

The upgraded Corolla is now available in four grade levels, namely Impact, Professional, Advanced and Exclusive. The Exclusive trim, available only with the 2.0 petrol and turbo diesel models, offers luxury specifications such as keyless access, rain sensing wipers, automatic air conditioning, leather seat and door trim, self-levelling high impact discharge (HID) front lights, cruise control, knee, curtain, and front airbags and side airbags for the driver and front passenger.

The engine line-up includes the choice of three petrol and one diesel engine. The Optimal Drive 1,3-litre four cylinder petrol engine offers maximum power output of 74 kW at 6 000 r/min, 132 Nm of torque at 3 800 r/min and a maximum speed of 180 km/h.

The well known and willing 1,6-litre 16-valve petrol engine utilises dual VVT-i and delivers 90 kW at 6 000 r/min and 154 Nm at 5 200 r/min, while emitting 162 g/km of CO2 emissions in manual mode. A four speed automatic gearbox is also on offer when opting for the 1.6 litre version.

Crowning the petrol-trio is a new 2,0-litre petrol engine. With 16-valves, electric fuel injection, dual VVT-i and twin overhead camshafts, the new 2,0-litre delivers 102 kW at 5 600 r/min and 189 Nm at 4 400 r/min.

Toyota has retained the 2.0 D-4D diesel engine. The turbocharged D-4D engine provides 93 kW at 3 600 r/min and 300 Nm of torque between 1 800 – 2 400 r/min.

Prices include a 3-year/100 000 km warranty, a 5-year/90 000 km service plan and Toyota’s 24-hour roadside assistance service.