written and compiled by flee


It was a warm August sunny Sunday morning when I first met the new Toyota Corolla Altis. Chips Yap of autoworld.com.my had earlier e-mailed me about the "first impressions" type of test drive. I was naturally thrilled at the thought of testing the latest Corolla, that of the ninth generation.

Together with TOCM members, AlbertT and Eve, we set off for our morning's test drives. Here are some impressions.

ALTIS FACTFILE

Engine:
1,794 cc VVTi
Max Power:
100 kW @ 6,000 rpm
Max Torque:
171 Nm @ 4,200 rpm


Transmission:
4-speed Automatic Gate-type with Super ECT
Front Suspension:
MacPherson strut type with stabiliser
Rear Suspension:
ETA-beam type (with toe-control torsion beam) with stabiliser
Front/Rear Brakes:
Ventilated Disc/Disc
Tyres:
195/60 R15
Goodyear Eagle NCT5

Corolla Altis - handsome from this viewpoint

 

Its pedigree was clear for all to see. The styling influences from Toyota's European design studio were there. However, this was a Japanese design and, though attractive, I did not find the design particularly distinctive. In fact, the car looked rather anonymous to me and does not turn my head!

Slight Disappointment
It some ways, I was a little disappointed that the Toyota did not look quite as elegant as some of the past models from this marque. I know that Toyota's styling team are a capable of, e.g. the 1994 Corona's (very popular in Singapore) showed a well balanced styling theme.

So, when I saw how tall the new Altis was, I thought that it looked odd and a little disproportionate. However, good looks is only a part of an equation that makes or breaks a car.
 

ACTIVE SAFETY
Anti-lock Braking System (ABS)
Electronic Brake-Force Distribution (EBD)
Brake Assist (BA)
Shift lock system
Vehicle Stability Control (VSC)
Traction Control (TRC)
Front fog lamp

PASSIVE SAFETY
GOA body
Driver & Passenger SRS airbag
Side impact beam
Whiplash Injury Lessening (WIL)
Front windscreen Laminated with topshade
One touch anti-jam power window for driver
Seatbelts: Front 3-point ELR x 2, with adjustable anchorage; Rear 3-point ELR-ALR x 2 and
2-point NR x 1

Look how tall the car is - looks like it is tip-toeing!

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