Press Release
Distinctive and sporty design
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Designed as a one-form style sedan
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Low, sporty stance with wide track
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Dynamic character lines and surfaces
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Maximum interior space and comfort
The all-new Corolla is distinctive and different; it has a strong road presence, even when viewed from a distance. Its low and wide stance creates a sporty and dynamic look that is enhanced by the clear character lines and complex surface structures.
Drivers, regardless of age, are sensitive to dynamic, high quality styling that provides a sense of luxury. The new Corolla is designed to appeal to a broad range of customers on a global scale. Even so, the strong influence of the highly competitive European market ???????????????????????????????????????where customers demand high quality and excellent driving performance ???????????????????????????????????????stands out.
The new Corolla has been designed at Toyota??????????????????????????????????????s design centre in Japan. Japanese designers spent about four months in Italy working on the design; looking for a style that would stand out, even on the streets of Turin. As a result, they realised that it was extremely important to first develop ???????????????????????????????????an image of solidityand strength????????????????????????????????.
Toshi Ezaki, chief engineer for the new Corolla project explains: ???????????????????????????????????The challenge was to create a wide and low package with width increased by 60 mm while keeping the same height to project an image of increased stability.
???????????????????????????????????We sought to make improvements to everyaspect of the vehicle; increasing the head room while keeping the overall height, closing the gap between the tyre and the wheel arch, and improving the relationship between the overall cabin shape and the wheel arches to create a more dynamic form.????????????????????????????????
Designed as a sedan
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Bold frontal styling
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One-form style
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Increased interior space
The new Corolla benefits from being designed from the outset as a sedan to create an unmatched sense of high quality. While offering customers the traditional benefits of a classic three-box configuration, the new Corolla achieves a one-form style by moving the base of the A-pillar forward and integrating the trunk space within the slope of the rear pillars.
In side profile it is clear this is not a hatchback with a trunk added as an afterthought ???????????????????????????????????????indeed the sleek, dynamic look is further enhanced by the increased overall length, low roof profile and slim pillars. This overall effect is a ?????????????????????????????????cab-forward??????????????????????????????????????look which emphasises the sense of space and proportion.
In comparison with the current model, the overall height of the new Corolla (1,470 mm) hasbeen maintained while interior space and headroom are increased throughout by clever packaging. The new model (4,540 mm) is 130 mm longer than the current one while the wheelbase remains at 2,600 mm.
But the more sporting effect created by the wider, lower stance is most evident from the wider front and rear track which haspushed the widthout to 1,760 mm (1,710 mm in the current model).
The frontal styling is bold with a low placed radiator grille and bumper configuration that swoops down from the horizontal to the vertical to create a sense of movement. The headlamp has an outline that follows this bumper shape and the three-step lamp configuration is sporty and youthful.
Perhaps the most distinctive features of the new Corolla are the strong character lines that flow the length of the car, starting at the front bumper and flowing back through the doors to the rear. They help create a complex, double concave surface on the front and rear wings that is becoming distinctive in the Toyota sedan range and which is modern, yet classically simple.
The complex surface characteristics are built up through layering and rounding of the shapes which express quality and solidity. Attention to detail, such as in the texture of the radiator grille, adds visual interest.
The rear design of a sedan is always important and new Corolla does not compromise or disappoint. The sweeping cut of the rear pillar emphasises the flowing lines to the rear and the cab forward stance. The overall effect is strong and wide with the lower edge of the bumper adopting a sporty, aerodynamic look with prominent round rear reflectors.
Once again, the three-step theme is repeated in the tail light cluster which follows the upper bumper line.
Stylish, comfortable interior
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Design creates sense of spaciousness
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Superior quality and luxury feel
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A relaxed environment
Maximum interior space and a premium quality passenger environment are key features of the new Corolla. They ensure it delivers on its promise of ???????????????????????????????????a class above????????????????????????????????.
Chief engineer, Toshi Ezaki, explains: ???????????????????????????????????We wanted to develop an interior that portrays a sense of spaciousness beyond actual space, the moment you open the door and enter the car. We paid attention to everything from expanding the door trim fabric area to ensuring a good operational feel and a sense of volume with the newly developed seats.????????????????????????????????
To achieve this sense of space, the designers studied the relative proportions of every element of the interior using the maxim: ?????????????????????????????????mechanism minimum, man maximum??????????????????????????????????????. At the same time, the relaxed curved lines of the styling and superior quality of the fabrics and instrumentation contribute to the premium feel.
As a result, the new Corolla presents a natural and comfortable environment for both driver and passengers. While the front seats are in a comfort style with a ?????????????????????????????????fun-to-drive??????????????????????????????????????feel, the rear passenger area has a more relaxed feel.
The dynamic styling of the exterior is carried over into the interior, with character lines around the side to the upper surface of the seats and a sense of luxury is created by the silver trimmed centre console which creates a strong vertical element in the overall design. This houses the fully integrated ventilation, audio and (where fitted) navigation systems.
The upper surface of the main instrument panel has been lowered to create a sense of roominess and the panel is fully integrated into the relaxed curve of the high qualitydoor trim to create an almost seamless surround. This curve is broken by the strong vertical of the centre console which creates a dynamic tension.
The round form of the instrument panel creates a sense of strength and performance while it is cut-away to create space and room around the legs. The moulded glove box is large and spacious.
Throughout the interior great attention has been paid to the touch and feel of surfaces and the positive operation of switches and controls to create a high qualitytactile experience. The area of fabric on the door trim has been extended and seat cushion thickness increased for extra comfortand support.
New upholsteries are introduced with premium image patterns and the door trim is sculpted away to give extra space around the leg and hips. Textured patterns break up the soft-touch surface of the instrument panel to create visual interest.
Two warm interior colour schemes are available, a two-tone dark grey and a more sophisticated greige.
These are complemented by the new exterior colours which have been selected to enhance the superior qualityof the new Corolla. The new model will be available in 8 specially selected body colours, four of which are new to the Toyota range.
