What is it?
2003 Toyota Corolla
What's special about it?
Designed to attract younger buyers to Toyota, the redesigned 2003 Corolla is longer, taller and wider than before with sleeker styling and a more powerful and environmentally efficient engine.
A new 1.8-liter twin-cam four-cylinder engine with VVT-i technology meets stringent ultra-low emission vehicle (ULEV) standards. It makes 130 horsepower at 6,000 rpm and 125 pound-feet of torque at 4,200 rpm, more than adequate power to motivate Corolla's approximately 2,500-pound mass. The front wheels are driven through a standard five-speed manual transmission or an available four-speed automatic. With the manual, the Corolla is expected to get 32 mpg in the city and 40 mpg on the highway running on 887 octane fuel.
Suspension is achieved through the use of front struts and a rear torsion beam axle; not the most sophisticated setup. Neither is the brake system state of the art, employing, as it does, rear drum brakes. Variable-assist power rack-and-pinion steering is standard.
Though some leg room has been sacrificed in the translation to higher seating positions within the Corolla, 2.3 additional cubic feet of interior space have been created, and each outboard seating position boasts 2 more inches of hip room than before to accommodate wide North American hineys. The trunk measures 13.6 cubic feet in volume.
Three trim levels will continue to be available: CE, LE and S. Standard equipment includes power-adjustable exterior mirrors, air conditioning with filtration, tilt steering wheel, CD player, outside temperature display, full 15-inch wheel covers and daytime running lights. Options include side airbags, antilock brakes, power door locks and cruise control.
The S model gets sporty trim like rocker panel moldings, spoilers front and rear, smoked headlight lenses and foglights in an effort to attract buyers in their 20s and 30s. Inside the S are a leather-wrapped steering wheel and shifter, power door locks, a seat-height adjuster and a sporty gauge cluster. Options include alloy wheels, power windows, a sunroof, upgraded audio, ABS, cruise control, remote keyless entry and side airbags.
The LE includes power windows and locks, remote keyless entry, fake wood interior trim, a driver seat-height adjuster and bigger tires. Leather is optional on the LE model, along with alloy wheels, a sunroof, upgraded audio, cruise control, ABS and side airbags.
The new Corolla, assembled in both Canada and California, arrives in showrooms in February of 2002. Pricing starts at $13,370 for the CE and tops out at $15,480 for the LE with an automatic transmission. Options will raise prices higher, of course. Toyota plans to sell 220,000 copies.
Why should you care?
Toyota's Corolla continues to be popular because it's reliable and holds its value over time. This new 2003 version, with sportier styling, a larger interior, an improved drivetrain and added standard equipment, can only ensure the model's continued success. — Christian Wardlaw
2003 Toyota Corolla
What's special about it?
Designed to attract younger buyers to Toyota, the redesigned 2003 Corolla is longer, taller and wider than before with sleeker styling and a more powerful and environmentally efficient engine.
A new 1.8-liter twin-cam four-cylinder engine with VVT-i technology meets stringent ultra-low emission vehicle (ULEV) standards. It makes 130 horsepower at 6,000 rpm and 125 pound-feet of torque at 4,200 rpm, more than adequate power to motivate Corolla's approximately 2,500-pound mass. The front wheels are driven through a standard five-speed manual transmission or an available four-speed automatic. With the manual, the Corolla is expected to get 32 mpg in the city and 40 mpg on the highway running on 887 octane fuel.
Suspension is achieved through the use of front struts and a rear torsion beam axle; not the most sophisticated setup. Neither is the brake system state of the art, employing, as it does, rear drum brakes. Variable-assist power rack-and-pinion steering is standard.
Though some leg room has been sacrificed in the translation to higher seating positions within the Corolla, 2.3 additional cubic feet of interior space have been created, and each outboard seating position boasts 2 more inches of hip room than before to accommodate wide North American hineys. The trunk measures 13.6 cubic feet in volume.
Three trim levels will continue to be available: CE, LE and S. Standard equipment includes power-adjustable exterior mirrors, air conditioning with filtration, tilt steering wheel, CD player, outside temperature display, full 15-inch wheel covers and daytime running lights. Options include side airbags, antilock brakes, power door locks and cruise control.
The S model gets sporty trim like rocker panel moldings, spoilers front and rear, smoked headlight lenses and foglights in an effort to attract buyers in their 20s and 30s. Inside the S are a leather-wrapped steering wheel and shifter, power door locks, a seat-height adjuster and a sporty gauge cluster. Options include alloy wheels, power windows, a sunroof, upgraded audio, ABS, cruise control, remote keyless entry and side airbags.
The LE includes power windows and locks, remote keyless entry, fake wood interior trim, a driver seat-height adjuster and bigger tires. Leather is optional on the LE model, along with alloy wheels, a sunroof, upgraded audio, cruise control, ABS and side airbags.
The new Corolla, assembled in both Canada and California, arrives in showrooms in February of 2002. Pricing starts at $13,370 for the CE and tops out at $15,480 for the LE with an automatic transmission. Options will raise prices higher, of course. Toyota plans to sell 220,000 copies.
Why should you care?
Toyota's Corolla continues to be popular because it's reliable and holds its value over time. This new 2003 version, with sportier styling, a larger interior, an improved drivetrain and added standard equipment, can only ensure the model's continued success. — Christian Wardlaw
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