Toyota premiers 2020 Corolla
CARMEL, CA: Even though this is still 2018, Toyota has revealed the 2020 Corolla Sedan coming in the new year.
Canadian autowriters were the first in the world to see the new car, which was a surprise event added during the premiere of the 2019 Toyota RAV4 compact crossover held in Carmel, CA.
This is the 12th generation Corolla, and follows the reveal of the Corolla Hatchback in August.
Both are based on the Toyota New Global Architecture (TNGA), which is more of a system than a platform, as it merges new approaches to engineering, design, assembly and materials. It also boasts a 60 per cent increase in rigidity over the outgoing model.
Both front-drive Corollas share the same two engines - a 1.8-litre inline direct injection four-cylinder carried over from the previous generation and a new 2.0-litre direct injection four-cylinder.
Driving the front wheels, transmission choices are a sixspeed manual or 10-step Direct Shift CVT, both with a thermal efficiency of 40 per cent with Hill Start Assist Control is standard.
The new body uses a totally new multi-load path front structure to absorb frontal collision impact forces and disperses collision energy to help prevent deformation of the passenger compartment.
The 2020 Corolla sedan features eight standard airbags and Toyota’s Star Safety System, which includes Enhanced Vehicle Stability Control, Traction Control, Electronic Brake-force Distribution, Brake Assist, Anti-lock Braking System, and Smart Stop Technology. All Corolla models come equipped with a standard backup camera.
All 2020 Toyota Corolla models are also equipped as standard with Toyota Safety Sense 2.0, an advanced suite of integrated active and pre-collision safety features.
To the author, the new Corolla looked larger than the outgoing model, although the wheelbase remains the same at 2,700 mm.
However, track is 11 mm wider at the rear and 22 mm at the rear, while the front overhang was reduced by 33 mm at the front but extended 15 mm at the rear plus an overall lowering of the centre of gravity by 20 mm.
All Corollas make extensive use of LED lighting.
The interior is marked by an eight-inch multimedia touchscreen with high gloss materials contrasted by matte accents highlighted by available ambient lighting, while a small tray at the bottom of the centre stack can hold a wallet or cellphone and an available Qi wireless charging pad.
Toyota’s Entune 3.0 Audio includes: an available eight-inch touchscreen display; six speakers; Apple CarPlay compatibility; Entune 3.0 App Suite Connect; Safety Connect; Scout GPS Link Compatible; Siri Eyes Free; auxiliary audio jack and USB 2.0 port with iPod connectivity and control; AM/FM; MP3/WMA playback capability; hands-free phone capability; voice recognition and music streaming via Bluetooth; customizable home screen; and weather/traffic info via Entune 3.0 App Suite.
Pricing and fuel economy ratings will be released closer to its launch next year.