DESIGN

With the Toyota New Global Architecture (TNGA) chassis as its basis, the Corolla is longer, lower and therefore sleeker than its Auris predecessor.The striking nose features all-LED lamp clusters, with integral daytime running lights beneath the curved edge of a atter, clamshell bonnet and narrow upper grille. Beneath that, the trapezoidal lower grille features a new mesh design and a frame that projects powerfully forwards with a grille surround that generates Toyota’s signature “catamaran shape”at the front corners of the car. It emphasises the car’s width and gives the Corolla that aggressive broad sporting stance.
Like the front, the rear styling is more rounded than before and a 14-degree increase in the angle of the rear screen and muscular haunches above the rear wheel arches combine to give the car a more compact appearance. All-LED light clusters, located as far to the two corners as possible further emphasise the car’s width, while the rear bumper styling echoes the front’s “catamaran”look.A lower rear lip features a black-out design matching the front grille and all versions of the hatchback feature a roof spoiler and shark n antenna.The new Corolla hatch comes in six exterior colours, including three new colours: Scarlet Metallic (red), Oxide Bronze and Caribbean Blue.

INTERIOR

The highest levels of visual and tactile attributes, along with a rock-solid build quality, were the goals of the dedicated Toyota Motor Europe Sensory Quality team (also responsible for the Toyota C-HR crossover’s acclaimed interior) when styling and designing the Corolla’s driver and passenger environment.
The result is a spacious, modern and well-specced cabin with new textures, colours and trims that are both ergonomically practical and eye-catchingly styled.The slim instrument panel, for example, is not only key to generating a sense of spaciousness, but it improves forward visibility, while still allowing for the driver to be positioned lower and closer to the car’s centre of gravity for a more engaging driving position. Unlike its competitors, driver convenience items such as LED headlamps, automatic climate control, a rear-view camera and keyless entry and start are also all standard on the Japanese hatch’s Xs grade.

The driver’s cockpit has that real wrap-around feel and the sporty nature is echoed in a front seat design that also optimises comfort and reduces fatigue on long journeys.The high-grade Xr models have slim Alcantara-covered front sports seats with wide shoulder supports that combine with solid, thick side bolsters to really grip your upper body and thighs when cornering. Thanks to the TNGA platform’s architecture, interior space is another area of improvement, with a 294-litre luggage capacity with a full-size spare wheel, and 503-litres without one.

DRIVETRAIN

Under that stylish front bonnet is a 85kW 1.2-litre four-cylinder turbopetrol engine that delivers a constant torque curve of 185Nm between 1 500 and 4 000rpm for impressive midrange punch.Transferring power to the front wheels is either via a six-speed manual or a new 10-speed Sport Sequential Shiftmatic Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT), allowing for is a brisk 0 to 100km/h of 9.5 seconds for the manual (10.4 for CVT).The Corolla Hatchback manual has a top speed of 200km/h, while the CVT will do 190km/h. Fuel consumption has been pegged at
6.1 litres per 100km for both manual and CVT variants.

SAFETY

The Corolla Hatch features a host of active and passive safety features.There are a total of seven airbags – driver and passenger,along with two side and curtain,as well as one for the driver’s knee – plus Vehicle Stability Control is standard, along with the full suite of electronic aids (ABS, EBD, Brake Assist and Hill-assist Control). It comes standard with ISOFIX attachment points for child seats.

ON THE ROAD

That TNGA platform mentioned earlier also serves in the Toyota C-HR and Prius hybrid and it brings considerable dynamic handling bene ts to the new Corolla range. Both being torsionally sti er (by 60%) and lighter as well as o ering a lower centre of gravity, this new hatchback has impressive dynamic abilities with a beautifully balanced and predictable ride thanks to its new multilink rear suspension. Handling stability and steering response are notably improved too with a front-end that provides
for a precise turn-in with a reassuringly weighted steering feel.
The finely tuned damping provides for a controlled ride that still has plenty of absorbency over rougher roads. A new shock absorber valve design in both front and rear suspension systems also reduces friction by 40%, resulting in a smoother and more comfortable ride.