Toyota Corolla 2007 test drive - 2009 hatchback

Achieving ideal

Want to know what the perfect car looks like? Before you Toyota Corolla tenth generation.
There are people who dream of Ferrari. There are those who dream of Rolls-Royce. But the majority of the Earth’s population just need a car: a reliable, convenient, safe and affordable vehicle that meets the needs of everyday life. That's just to know how this tool should look and how much to cost to become the ideal of millions.
 
The answer gives life itself to be enough to study the number of sales. And not in a separate country, but in the world. Of all the models that are now living in Bose, cars with the name Corolla 32 million are most sold in the world. Of course, the idea of \u200b\u200bthe ideal changes over time, and the first generation Corolla, which was born in 1966, is very different from its great -great -handedness in the great -great -handedness in 1966 Tenth generation. Nine generations of this model in 40 years passed before our eyes. And almost every time, Toyota specialists managed to guess what exactly people need: size, shape, equipment, price. No wonder this year the Japanese company should overtake the number of GM sales and become the largest in the world.
 
Toyota Corolla is sold in more than 140 countries and is produced in Japan, USA, Canada, Malaysia, China, Taiwan, Pakistan, South Africa, Brazil, Venezuela, Thailand, and the Philippines. European needs satisfy factories in the UK and Turkey.
Ideal
So, what does the next embodiment of the most popular model of the planet look like? Perhaps the time will come when Rolls-Royce will be near every second house, and near each first Ferrari, but so far the average earthling prefers the Car of the C (Small Middle Class) car, that is, not too large, but not to say that small.
 
A very interesting fact: the new Corolla was originally designed as a sedan. Moreover, there will be no option with a body of hatchback. A five -door hatchback has recently become the most popular choice in Western Europe. Therefore, they decided to pay special attention to Toyota and created a separate Auris model (we will talk about Toyota Auris in the next issue). But in Japan itself, the USA, Eastern Europe and in the Asian markets, the sedan is still a favorite, and therefore it was this type of body that remained the main one for Corolla. The global results of 2006 have not yet been summed up, but in 2005 Corolla was the best -selling car in the world in total 1.4 million, of which 850 thousand with a body sedan.
 
The new Corolla is developed in Japan. The debut of Japanese modification, called Corolla Axio, took place on October 10, 2006. The European version became slightly wider (in Japan the width is limited to 1700 mm) and longer, and also received a number of significant external differences. Its creators spent four months in Europe, studying the situation in which a new car would have to be inhabited. The Japanese decided not to experiment and applied already tested solutions: the new Corolla borrowed the key elements of the exterior from the older sisters of Avensis and Camry.
 
Compared to the previous generation, the length increased by 130 mm, the width of 50 mm, and although the height remained the same, the volume of the cabin increased markedly due to a more thoughtful layout. Reduced gaps between tires and wheel arches. (By the way, the minimum disk size for the new Corolla 15-inch.) The front seats profile is redesigned. The steering wheel, adjustable in height and removal, gave the necessary freedom in search of their location. The back row was pushed even more deep into the cabin, while the luggage volume not only did not decrease, but even increased by 13 liters due to a decrease in the gaps between upholstery and metal. In principle, in its dimensions and internal volume Corolla came close to the D.T. The creators called this effect the promises of the class above.
 
The class above this is the electrolyminescent lighting of devices with liquid crystalline information displays, and the electronic key, which should not be removed from the pocket, and the button starter, and solid materials of the interior decoration, and the navigation system, and the level of security. The creators do not doubt the good results of the upcoming public Crash tests. The guarantee of this is the body with enhancing elements made of high -strength steel, designed to protect against shock influences from all conceivable directions. In the cabin up to nine airbags. When a pedestrian arrives at a pedestrian, a special structure shifts and softens the blow to it with his head. In this case, levers of brushes are hidden under the edge of the hood. The car is equipped with a new brake system with ABS and emergency braking mode, which is squeezing the brake to maximum effort in a critical situation. As an option, the stabilization system and PBS are available.
Only gasoline!
Corolla of the European version will be equipped with both gasoline engines and diesel engines. However, diesel engines will not be supplied to Russia. The official reason for doubt as a Russian diesel fuel. However, unofficially, in the Russian representative office, the company made it clear that the growth in sales of Toyota cars in Russia is so impressive (58% in 2006) that they have enough worries with ensuring demand for gasoline versions. Diesel versions will only add headache, and they will not affect the volume of sales to a large extent. There will be no queues then and there will be time to engage in a variety of proposals. Although, frankly, a pity. The diesel versions tested during the test really liked. Although gasoline made a very favorable impression.
 
Two gasoline engines are offered. The engine with a working volume of 1.6 liters is new. It is equipped with a Dual VVT-M system for adjusting the phase of gas distribution by changing the time and height of the rise of both inlet and exhaust valves. This makes him more powerful and more economical. A 1.4 -liter engine with a previous generation Corolla.
 
Both engines do not amaze with prohibitive dynamics, they are exactly what should be in the city car. But the manageability of the new Corolla pleased. It, perhaps, is not a class above, but clearly higher than the average: a new platform with a tougher body and redesigned suspension was pleased with the liveliness and accuracy of responses. Especially impressed by stability on the maximum vehicle for this car on the highway. The electric power varies the degree of readiness to help the driver, depending on the speed. It gives the driving process a slight shade of computerity, but pleases with punctuality.
 
But what really struck this acoustic comfort. The cabin is unusually quiet in any movement modes. Here, both the worked out aerodynamics and improved sound insulation played a role. The materials of the noise and vibration are literally everywhere in the floor, in the roof, they are covered with a motor compartment. In this regard, the new Corolla is not one for one, but for several classes.
In a pair to the 1.4-liter engine, a simple and reliable mechanical 5-speed gearbox is offered. An interesting novelty indicator of switching on the dashboard. He calculates the right moment for another manipulation with a lever. Several factors are taken into account: speed, turnover, position of the accelerator. However, in principle, everything looks quite simple: when it reaches approximately 3,500 rpm, the arrow is lit, reminiscent of the driver that it is time to work with the left foot and the transmission lever. This simple, it would seem, innovation allows, according to representatives of Toyota, to save at least 5% of the fuel.
 
A more powerful engine, in addition, can be ordered with the latest modification of a mechanical 5-speed gearbox Multimode with automatic clutch and steering wheel switches. It allows switching both in automatic and manual mode.
 
Corolla world bestseller in the tenth generation. Agree, in our time a rare dynasty is able to last so long. This alone puts forward the model in the category of unique
Technical characteristics Toyota Corolla 1.4/1.6
Dimensions, mm 4540x1760x1470
Equipped mass, kg 1225/1240
Trunk volume, l 450
Benzine engine type L4
Working volume, cubic meter. cm 1398/1598
Max. Power, L.S./O/min 97/6000/124/6000
Max. moment, nm/rpm 130/4400/157/5200
Mechanical transmission 5-speed
Max. Speed, km/h 170/195
Front drive
Acceleration time 0-100 km, with 13.0/10.4
Fuel consumption (average), l/100 km 6.7/6.9
 
Leonid Sitnik
Photo of the manufacturer
 

A source: Avtopanorama magazine