What is it?
2002 Toyota Corolla
What's special about it?
This is the Euro Corolla, so don't get too worked up over this redesigned Toyota. But it represents a strong indicator for the next-generation Corolla that arrives in the U.S. for 2003.
Highlights of this European-market Corolla sedan include VVT-i engine technology, upgraded four-wheel disc brakes, available stability control and Optitron gauges. For Europe, Toyota concentrated on making the Corolla stylish and fun to drive, with lots of soft-touch materials inside the cabin for a quality feel. We can only hope that product planners determine that Americans want the same things.
Six engines will be offered in Europe, but only three of those have a shot at making it to the U.S. Our car could get the 1.6-liter 110-horsepower four-cylinder engine, with the 1.8-liter 135-horsepower four offered as an upgrade. But what we'd like to see in the U.S. is the 1.8-liter 192-horsepower motor that comes in the Euro-market Corolla T Sport. All three benefit from Toyota's Variable Valve Timing with intelligence (VVT-i) technology, which helps create more power, fewer emissions and better fuel economy. Interestingly, a six-speed manual transmission is standard.
Europeans get 15-inch four-wheel disc antilock brakes as standard equipment, and Vehicle Skid Control (VSC) is optional. Inside, Lexus loans the Corolla Optitron gauge illumination technology, and Toyota invested heavily in quality materials to ensure that this best-seller is perceived to be a high-quality product.
Why should you care?
We're not big fans of the current Corolla, so this redesigned model, in which European product planners had a large part developing, interests us. Will the American Corolla look like this? Will it have engines like this? Will it be equipped like this? We'll find out. But keep this in mind. The new Camry is on sale in Europe now, and it looks just like the one at your local dealership. — Chris Wardlaw
2002 Toyota Corolla
What's special about it?
This is the Euro Corolla, so don't get too worked up over this redesigned Toyota. But it represents a strong indicator for the next-generation Corolla that arrives in the U.S. for 2003.
Highlights of this European-market Corolla sedan include VVT-i engine technology, upgraded four-wheel disc brakes, available stability control and Optitron gauges. For Europe, Toyota concentrated on making the Corolla stylish and fun to drive, with lots of soft-touch materials inside the cabin for a quality feel. We can only hope that product planners determine that Americans want the same things.
Six engines will be offered in Europe, but only three of those have a shot at making it to the U.S. Our car could get the 1.6-liter 110-horsepower four-cylinder engine, with the 1.8-liter 135-horsepower four offered as an upgrade. But what we'd like to see in the U.S. is the 1.8-liter 192-horsepower motor that comes in the Euro-market Corolla T Sport. All three benefit from Toyota's Variable Valve Timing with intelligence (VVT-i) technology, which helps create more power, fewer emissions and better fuel economy. Interestingly, a six-speed manual transmission is standard.
Europeans get 15-inch four-wheel disc antilock brakes as standard equipment, and Vehicle Skid Control (VSC) is optional. Inside, Lexus loans the Corolla Optitron gauge illumination technology, and Toyota invested heavily in quality materials to ensure that this best-seller is perceived to be a high-quality product.
Why should you care?
We're not big fans of the current Corolla, so this redesigned model, in which European product planners had a large part developing, interests us. Will the American Corolla look like this? Will it have engines like this? Will it be equipped like this? We'll find out. But keep this in mind. The new Camry is on sale in Europe now, and it looks just like the one at your local dealership. — Chris Wardlaw
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