In a statement to select members of the press, Toyoda was quoted as saying, “We [at Toyota] are always looking to consolidate redundant parts of our lineup so we can pass our cost savings on to our customers. Because of this, we are pleased to announce that the next generation of the Subaru Impreza will be based on our Toyota Corolla, which is the best selling car in the world.”
While Toyoda declined to discuss a timeline for the changes, he did mention that Subaru’s signature boxer engines and symmetrical all wheel drive would not be carried over to the new Impreza because of, “[the] inefficient nature of the design.” He declined to comment further.
Toyoda did however make great note of his excitement over the Impreza’s changes, “Combining Corolla and Impreza designs makes perfect sense. They share the same area on the marketplace and while the Impreza is unique, it was never a class leader. Nevertheless, [the Impreza] will now have the same DNA inside that helped [Toyota] sell over 40 million Corollas.”
A Toyota insider later broke down the changes for us. The new Subaru Impreza will share very little with the Impreza concept that was shown at last year’s Los Angeles Auto Show. Instead the new Impreza will receive a face lift to look more similar to its Corolla cousin. Our insider also told us that under the hood, the new Impreza would get the Corolla’s 1.8L 4-cylinder engine driving the front wheels. Lastly and most unfortunately of all, our insider told us that Toyoda will relegate the WRX and WRX STI nameplates to being no more than sporty trim packages with, “Very little, if any,” more power added.
UPDATE 04/01/2011: Sorry to pull one over on you guys, but April Fool’s!!! This is all complete fallacy!
If you needed any more reason to sweat out the wait for the new Need for Speed SHIFT 2 Unleashed video game, this trailer should drive up the anxiety levels a few notches higher.
The latest in a long line of trailers, this particular one features the game’s Autolog Drift Challenge being played by two of today’s most popular drifters, 2010 Formula Drift champion Vaughn Gittin Jr and Team Need for Speed’s own, Matt Powers.
Powers took to the controls first, customizing a Toyota Corolla to suit his whims. Despite all the tinkering, Powers’ performance was anything but stellar and not up to what he’s capable of in the real world, racking up a pretty pedestrian score of 324. To Power’s good fortune, Gittin. Jr. didn’t fare a whole lot better despite using his usual Ford Shelby GT500. In the end, the champ’s 337 score was enough to drift past Powers’ best efforts.
Do you think you have what it takes to post higher scores than our seasoned pros? Scoop up a copy of Need for Speed: SHIFT 2 Unleashed when it drops in stores on March 29th, 2011 and find out.
Toyota will unveil the 2011 Corolla at the Los Angeles Auto Show. This new model gets new front and rear exterior styling, new interior design changes, Toyota Care complimentary maintenance plan, standard Smart Stop Technology, and two new colors. The 2011 Corolla will go on sale in December.
For the exterior Toyota has added a redesigned front bumper, radiator grille, front lower grille, headlamps, trunk lid, rear license garnish, rear combination lamp, rear bumper, and reflex reflector. The S model gets a new front spoiler, rocker moldings, and upper and lower rear spoilers. The interior gets a new instrument panel, a newly designed steering wheel and new seat color and pattern.
For 2011 the model is offered in three trim versions: Corolla, LE, and S, all powered by a 1.8-liter DOHC four-cylinder engine, which produces 132 hp at 6,000 rpm and 128 lb-ft of torque at 4,400 rpm. The engine can be coupled to either a five-speed manual transmission or a four-speed automatic Electronically Controlled Transmission (ECT).
Just when you thought that Toyota was finally turning the corner after all its recall woes this year, here comes news that the manufacturer is once again issuing a (voluntary) safety recall involving approximately 1.13 million units of 2005-2008 Toyota Corolla and Toyota Matrix vehicles.
According to Toyota, the recall is being issued in the US in large part because of a potential defect in the cars’ Engine Control Modules (ECM).
According to Toyota: “On vehicles equipped with the 1ZZ-FE engine and two-wheel drive, there is a possibility that a crack may develop at certain solder points or on the electronic component used to protect circuits against excessive voltage (varistor), on the ECM’s circuit board. In most cases, if a crack occurs at certain solder points or on certain varistors, the check engine may illuminate, harsh shifting could result, or the engine may not start. In limited instances, if cracking occurs on particular solder points or varistors, the engine could stop while the vehicle is being driven.”
Toyota Europe has come with a few changes for the 2010 Corolla. Set to go on sale in May, the 2010 Corolla will get a new exterior design, enhanced perceived interior quality, advanced technology, and Toyota Optimal Drive for all the engines.
Starting with the exterior, the 2010 Corolla will feature a redesigned bumper, radiator grille and lower grille, new headlamps, revised license plate garnish, combination lamps, bumper, and low-level reflectors have been incorporated. The car sits on a new, sportier 16” wheel cap and alloy wheel design.
On the interior, Toyota added a new, flat bottomed steering wheel, finished in leather on higher grade models, featuring a thicker, more comfortable grip cross-section, the instrument panel and door handle trim are now finished in a more sophisticated, high-brightness silver coating. The same high quality finish is also available on the centre console and door switch surrounds.
The engine line-up will include a choice of 1.33 litre Dual VVT-i and 1.6 litre Valvematic petrol engines, and 1.4 and 2.0 litre D-4D diesel units, all of them getting Toyota Optimal Drive.
