Picture Fight! The Next Toyota Corolla?

[YSSMAN]

While a number of Japanese auto magazines have recently published artists' renderings of the next-generation Toyota Corolla in an effort to pass them of as the real thing, potentially authentic images of the car have finally surfaced online. The photos show what appears to be the 2007/2008 Toyota Corolla hatch from a number of angles, including interior shots. Certain aspects of the photos suggest they may still be doctored, but the variety of angles adds to their credibility.

A grown-up Yaris? It appears to be one...

To sum it up in one word, "meh." I think the same word can sum up a lot of Toyota's current product lineup, but atleast this can be said with a bit more energy than before. There is a level of spunkyness to that car, but that said, it isn't going to jump out at anyone and say "Hey, look at me!" like the Civic or Mazda3.

 

[CDailey]

I really like the look of it, but that's probably because I love the way the Yaris looks.

 

[Pupik]

Hard to say, the Corolla appears in 10-20 different forms and disguises thoughout the world.

I don't think anyone here is holding their breath in anticipation for the next-generation Toyota Corolla, anyhow.

 

[Pink_the_Floyd]

Is that the new model?

Meh, it sucks 👎

THis is one beautiful car IMO

 

[Diego440]

well, the actual Corolla takes its front fascia from the current Avensis... it's only normal for Toyota to give it a different front fascia (like the one of the Yaris) in a different market, maybe.

 

[YSSMAN]

It reminded me of a Camry that went through the dryer on hot and shunk just a bit. Niether good nor bad, this car will do what it does... Keep average folks happy.

 

[Jim Prower]

This is a bit (no, a LOT) better-looking than the current version, but will this Corolla come to the U.S.?

and I'm still waiting for my rear-drive version.

 

[Leonidae]

there hasn't been rwd corolla for 20 years, since toyota wants to do cheap and practical cars with loads of space and good mpg. and I severely doubt that there will not be one, unless toyota perks up it's interest in sports car segment.

 

[3-Wheel Drive]

They look more like Yarises (Yarises? Yarii? Yares?)

 

[Midnight Runner]

Ugly,but still better looking than VW.

 

[Pink_the_Floyd]

Ugly,but still better looking than VW.

Amen.

 

[YSSMAN]

Ugly,but still better looking than VW.

Wait, which Vee-Dub? I'd dare to say the Golf/Rabbit is better looking than this. But alas, with my Vee-Dub blinders on, there isn't a whole lot that is going to blow them away...

 

[Midnight Runner]

When you live in country where ALMOST EVERY god damned car is a VAG,when you BUY one and find out that it is the utter POS,you start to vommit EVERY time you see one,and when you LOOK into YOUR garage and SEE a 8 MONTH old MK V which YOU CANNOT drive because it went OH EFFIN SNAP! ONE DOZEN times too many,when you meet some HARDCORE VAG fans who REALLY know VAG cars,who tell you " what did you want,VAG became utter POS in last decade,for the money you wasted you could buy an MK3 or an older Audi,fix it up and you'd have an excellent car,if you really wanted an VAG", (now that I think of it,that's what I should have done)when you meet dozens of people with DIFFERENT VAG's who have more problems than you'd think,then my friend,you'd be not so VAG fan as you are.

I wish you luck with your next VW,YSSMAN,but for me,I'd rather tie a rope around my privates and jump from a tree,than buy any new VAG ever again.
But if we talk about an MK1 GTI's,Audi 100's,B2's,beetle's....then that is a whole different story.

 

[YSSMAN]

....Ummmmmm, okay then. Didn't think that would get you all excited like that....

Um, I really don't know where to go from here other than to say the MKV Golf/Rabbit has been selling pretty well here (thus far), and I haven't herd too many complaints about build quality. Most of the folks are buying them because of the "value," in which they can pick up a "stripper" Rabbit 2.5 Coupe for about $15K, which IMO is a steal here in the US.

I was talking with my friend Benny who works at the local VW Dealer and he said that they are having a harder time moving the fully-optioned models by comparison to the lower-spec versions, which is a big turnaround compared to the MKIV Golf that finially died earlier this summer. Although I'd love to buy one, I'm not too hot on the 2.5L I5 engine, as I would prefer the 1.4L TSI or the 2.0L FSI if at all possible myself... Or the TDI once they clean it up for the US market...

 

[weiss_komet]

Wow, very fugly, just like the Yaris.

 

[Pink_the_Floyd]

Is the Golf also called the Rabbit?!





VW should be ashamed, of both names!

 

[YSSMAN]

Is the Golf also called the Rabbit?!





VW should be ashamed, of both names!

Well, obviously you wouldn't know the whole story of the deal, but here it goes:

Back in the 1970s when the Golf was comming in and the Beetle was going out, Volkswagen saw the "need" to import the Golf to the US as a Beetle replacement. Given the success of the Beetle and other animal-related nameplates in the US, Volkswagen decided to import the Golf to the US (and I belive Canada as well) as the Rabbit, despite the fact the cars were nearly identical. The Rabbit was also sold alongside the Fox of the period, both of which were joined by the Jetta and Quantum as well.

Although the car was slow to take off, once it did, VW never looked back. Throughout the MKI generation the car remained badged as the Rabbit, but once the MKII models showed up in the US (a few years after their European debut) the name switched to the Golf, as it seemed that it would remain so for quite some time.

Fast forward to the MKV structure, Volkswagen saw the need to bring the new model to the US, but it continued to sell the MKIV chassis on into 2005. In the early part of 2006, Volkswagen debuted the MKV Golf at the Chicago Autoshow, but just a few weeks down the road in New York City, they announced that they were returning to the Rabbit name once again.

Volkswagen's offical reasoning is that the Rabbit name ties in better with Volkswagen of the past, representing a time when cars were fun and affordable for the company... As they are attempting to shake off their previous CEO's vision of being a Mercedes Compeditor... They went on to say that with models like the Beetle, the Thing, and the Microbus, it is very important to continue on with "iconic" models like the Rabbit in markets that made the car popular.

Volkswagen for the most part has succeeded with their goals on the car, giving it a great introduction to the public with some creative commercials, online advertisements, and nice general public introductions. The fact that you can pick up a two-door model that is nicely equipped for less than $15K is a steal, and Volkswagen dealers have been having a tough time meeting the demands of the public with the car.

---

My point?

Just because the name sounds silly doesn't mean jack-squat. Americans loved the Rabbit just as much then as they do now, and although the Golf name was indeed a good one to begin with, the Rabbit name continues to echo through the halls of Volkswagen fan's heads.

 

[High-Test]

Has Toyota's design staff been infected with 1980s GMness? They used to make really cool looking cars, but now they're all Ho-Hum, with the Camry *gasp* being the most sporty looking.

 

[3-Wheel Drive]

By the way, what the hell is the plural of Yaris?
Yarises? Yarii? Yares?

 

[Pink_the_Floyd]

Has Toyota's design staff been infected with 1980s GMness? They used to make really cool looking cars, but now they're all Ho-Hum, with the Camry *gasp* being the most sporty looking.

Agreed, one 100 %

But the new Avensis looks very sweet IMO, especially if you look at the last model.

Yes, with O_o headlights

 

[daggoth]

Supposedly this new Corolla will have a 2.5l turbo with 300hp and AWD version. Maybe it's some influence since they bought Subaru.

 

[TheCracker]

Another bland design from Toyota. Toyota haven't come out with a good/interesting design since........ well, ever. Maybe the the last Supra and a couple of Celicas but the rest have been blandsville.

 

[STLbarcelona5]

Another bland design from Toyota. Toyota haven't come out with a good/interesting design since........ well, ever. Maybe the the last Supra and a couple of Celicas but the rest have been blandsville.

Yes well lately I think they've gone from boring. To so ugly that whenever I see the new Camry I just gasp out in shock everytime and say "THAT IS THE UGLIEST CAR EVER." Now before this new version, I've never done this to a car, sure there have been some that are either boring or not appeasing to my eyes. But never something as bad as that.

But since I've seen the new Camry, two other cars have come to give me the same reaction. The Dodge Caliber and the Chevy Uplander.

 

[Tornado]

At least it is an improvement from the "Bluntest Front-End Ever" award. Not much of one, but whatever.

 

[daggoth]

I like the proximty of the shifter to the steering wheel. IMHO it makes the car more sportier if you ditch that auto tranny of course.

 

[Kent]

I bought a Corolla and at the same time my buddy bought a Civic. He would always ask me when the new Corolla was coming out and whatnot... Well I've had an eye out for a while (seen these pics before along with many others).
I feel like these are the real thing give or take a few minor details not revealed just yet (such as the S and XRS models as well as the sedan.

My only concerns about the new model will be in relation to what's underneath the body. Two major issues were brought up on another site (can't remember which) but they were...
New engine running hp to keep up (approx. 150)
New suspension workings (targeting the current Torsion Beam rear suspension)

I don't expect either of those upgrades to actually happen, but they did surface in a respectable manner at right about the same time as these pics (I saw them maybe 2-3 weeks ago).
Of course, at the same time, I wouldn't be suprised to see either of those upgrades go through thanks to the recent enthusiasm for small sedans in the US market. 👍
(thanks to the new Mazda, VW, and Honda offerings... Not to mention a recoil from the SUV craze )

In the end I will be pleased to see what has taken them quite a bit of time to reveal.

Btw, did Toyota really buy Subaru?

 

[YSSMAN]

My only concerns about the new model will be in relation to what's underneath the body. Two major issues were brought up on another site (can't remember which) but they were...
New engine running hp to keep up (approx. 150)
New suspension workings (targeting the current Torsion Beam rear suspension)

Interesting points made there. One of my complaints about the Corolla, beyond the rather bland styling, is the lack of a true "power" option beyond the overdone XRS version. Having "atleast" 145 BHP should be the standard, as thats where GM is sitting with their Delta cars with the updated ECOTECs.

But as for the suspension, that is an interesting point as well. I belive the Delta cars, as well as the GS models from DCX all ride with Torsion suspensions and they occasionaly were lambasted for it. So if Toyota continues on with that tradition, will they recieve the same treatment? Or will they be allowed to pass because of the Toyota badge on the trunk?

 

[daggoth]

Btw, did Toyota really buy Subaru?

Well Yeah... they own 8% of Fuji Heavi Industries. That makes them on of the main share holders.

One thing is for sure this new Corolla will have the 2.2 177hp Diesel engine already known in the Avensis and Lexus IS.

 

[Kent]

Interesting points made there. One of my complaints about the Corolla, beyond the rather bland styling, is the lack of a true "power" option beyond the overdone XRS version. Having "atleast" 145 BHP should be the standard, as thats where GM is sitting with their Delta cars with the updated ECOTECs.

But as for the suspension, that is an interesting point as well. I belive the Delta cars, as well as the GS models from DCX all ride with Torsion suspensions and they occasionaly were lambasted for it. So if Toyota continues on with that tradition, will they recieve the same treatment? Or will they be allowed to pass because of the Toyota badge on the trunk?

Power: I hear that. 👍
Suspension: I wouldn't say they've been allowed to slide, in fact, many people blast the Corolla for not having a good driving feel and that's primarily from the rear suspension.
Styling: I still don't understand you guys when it comes to the Corolla being "bland."
(unless it's all a refference to the lack of a Sports Car in the Corolla)

Great Interior:


Good Looking Exterior: (IMO) (and this isn't the most flattering shot, as I took it with a disposable camera outside my house after Katrina hit)

 

[Pink_the_Floyd]

Is that car yours Kent?

It looks sweet although it could use some lowering and a set of 5-6 spokes rims


BTW: You live there?! Oh man, my condolences, whatever the word is

How big was the damage? Got it fixed?