Revised Corolla Set For NEC

A facelifted Corolla will be the star of the Toyota stand at this month's British Motor Show. The revised model is making its debut at the Birmingham NEC event, and gets the Toyota family face that's already on the Corolla Verso.

Auto Express Car Reviews

By Ross Pinnock

11th May 2004

The changes, coupled with improved spec on models across the range, are designed to boost the car's youth appeal. Externally, there's a bolder front grille, modified bumper and headlamps with clear lenses. At the rear, the lights and number plate housing have been restyled to freshen up the model.

Interior changes have been kept to a minimum, but the instruments have been updated. Higher-quality seat trim gives the cabin a further lift, with suede-effect fabric on more upmarket versions.

Meanwhile, there's good news for performance car fans; engineers have come up with a variety of additional modifications for the T-Sport version, including lowered suspension, wider alloy wheels and a revised rear spoiler. These should combine to improve the handling of the current model, which critics have slammed as lacklustre.
The revised Corolla range goes on sale in the UK on 1 July, although an additional diesel variant won't appear in showrooms until the autumn. The 1.4-litre D-4D is a retuned version of the Yaris powerplant. It develops 89bhp, and meets Euro IV emissions regulations.

Bosses at the maker say this new model is designed to appeal to cost-conscious motorists, such as company car drivers. It will supplement the existing 114bhp 2.0-litre diesel, which remains in the oil-burning line-up.

The current Corolla has been on sale since 2002, and although prices of the facelifted car will be confirmed at the NEC, they're expected to be similar to those of the model it replaces. The Corolla Verso and the Red Collection special editions of the Celica and MR2 will also be highlights of the Toyota stand.