The Toyota Corolla (E140/E150) is the tenth generation of cars marketed by Toyota under the Corolla nameplate. The Toyota Auris replaced the Corolla hatchback in Japan and Europe, but remained badged as a "Corolla" in Australia and New Zealand.
The chassis of the E140 is based on the Toyota MC platform, with the E150 model deriving from the New MC platform. The Japanese market E140 carried its MC platform over from the previous E120, using a narrow body for its chassis. The versions sold in the Americas, Southeast Asia and the Middle East are based on the widened body of this platform. Models sold in Australia, Europe and South Africa used the more sophisticated New MC underpinnings, and were designated as E150. The wide-body E150 was first released in China and Europe in early 2007, while the wide-body E140 was released in Americas and parts of Asia later in the year.
E140 narrow-body
Japan The tenth-generation Corolla (E140) was released in Japan on 10 October 2006. The saloon is now known as the Corolla Axio. The Axio name was created from the Greek word "Axia", meaning "things with value". The estate version retains the Corolla Fielder name. The dimensions for the Corolla sold in Japan are smaller than vehicles made for export so as to remain in compliance with Japanese government regulations concerning exterior dimensions and engine displacement.
The Corolla Axio gets Toyota's latest intelligent parking-assist system. The option costs , or at current exchange rates. A backup camera monitor is standard. On Japanese models only, G-BOOK, a subscription telematics service, is offered as an option. The Luxel being the highest trim level, offers additional features such as Dynamic radar Cruise Control and tiptronic transmission. The G mid range model receives a set of projector headlamps, factory-fitted audio system with steering audio controls, Push button start, speedometer clusters with additional tachometer clusters and automatic climate controls.
The Japanese model included a rear-view monitor which displays an image of the area at the rear of the vehicle while backing up to reduce the burden on the driver while parking. The optional Intelligent Parking Assist system also supports steering operations when parallel parking and backing into a parking space. Ultrasonic sensors installed on the front detect parked vehicles and, based on the results, estimate the physical dimensions of a vacant parking space and set the target parking position.
The Corolla Axio introduced a Pre-Crash Safety System that uses millimetre-wave radar. When this radar detects a high risk of collision, the Pre-Crash Seatbelts improve initial restraint for passengers while the Pre-Crash Brake Assist System decelerates to reduce the collision speed and contribute to less damage induced by collision. The Radar Cruise Control system detects and monitors the preceding vehicle and the lane, maintaining a fixed distance according to the preceding vehicle's speed within a preset range of speed.
Both the Corolla Axio and Corolla Fielder received their facelift on 28 October 2008. The Corolla Axio only received a redesigned front grille and rear lights, while the Corolla Fielder also received a redesigned front bumper.
In 2011, a total of 70,758 Corolla Axios were sold in Japan.
Pre-facelift styling (2006–2008)
Post-facelift styling (2008–2012)
The Axio GT is a version based on the Axio N2 race car. It includes turbocharged 1NZ-FE engine rated and , intercooler, 5-speed manual transmission, TRD Sportivo suspension, 'GT' emblem, leather shift knob, 'TRD Turbo' aero grille, front spoiler, side mud guard, TF4 17-inch wheels with Michelin Pilot Preceda PP2 215/45R17 tires, rear spoiler, drive monitor, grey interior, enhanced clutch cover. The vehicle went on sale in February 2009 in Japan.
The GT TRD and TRD GT Packages are accessory packages for Corolla Axio (GT TRD) and Corolla Fielder (TRD GT).
Grade, Model (code) Displacement, Type (code) Power, Torque TransmissionLUXEL (ZRE142) I4 (2ZR-FE) at 6000 rpm, at 4400 rpm Super CVT-iG, X (NZE141) I4 (1NZ-FE) at 6000 rpm, at 4400 rpm Super CVT-i / 5-speed manualAxio "GT" I4 turbo (1NZ-FTE) at 6000 rpm, at 4800 rpm 5-speed manual
In motorsports, Team apr participated in the GT300 class of Super GT, replacing their MR-S with a midship-layout Axio for the 2009 season. The mid-engined Corolla Axio apr GT (NZE141) includes the 3.5-litre 2GR-FSE V6 engine rated over at 6800 rpm, Hewland 6-speed sequential transmission, Ogura Clutch Triple Plate, AP Braking System, and RAYS 18-inch wheels. The apr GT race car weighs roughly 1100 kg. The vehicle No.74 was unveiled at the 2009 Tokyo Auto Salon.
E140 wide-body The wide-body version of the E140 Corolla was released from late 2007 as a 2008 model year and is larger in dimensions, while retaining many aspects in styling found on the Japanese model. In July 2010, a facelift to the Corolla Altis was introduced, with new ZR engines replacing the ZZ engines found on the 1.6L and 1.8L models. New bumpers, grille, air dams, rear combination lamps differentiate the facelift from the earlier model years.
A subtle difference between the E140 wide body and that of the E150 wide body would be at the front and rear fender panel lines that are between the front and the rear wheel arch; the international E140 has in-built side skirts that fuses with the side profile of the car while the E150 does not.
The models which use a wider and longer version of the Axio's platform, have styling similar to that of the Camry's while providing a list of added equipment towards its interior standard list.
A facelift was done in mid-2010, which revised the front and rear fascia of the Corolla with new bumpers and slimmer grille reminiscent to the Camry. New ZR engines replaced the outgoing ZZ engines for the 1.6-litre and 1.8-litre models.
Asia
Hong Kong In Hong Kong, Corollas sold were based on the international market models and the Corolla was fitted with the 1.5-litre 1NZ-FE engine. The Corolla sold in Hong Kong is made in Japan, although it does vary from the Japanese market model with minor revisions to the front such as the headlamps and air dams. It is available in Luxury and Advantage variants.
India The Indian version of the Corolla marketed as 'Corolla Altis' is assembled in Bidadi near Bangalore. The pre-facelift version (2008–2010) had a 1.8-litre ZZ engine with 132 bhp mated to a 5-speed manual or a 4-speed automatic gearbox. A 1.4-litre 1ND-TV diesel engine unique to India and Spain with 88 bhp mated to a 6-speed manual gearbox debuted in 2010. In 2011, the Altis was facelifted and the older ZZ engine was replaced by an updated 1.8 ZR engine producing 140 bhp and was mated to a 6-speed manual like the diesel while a CVT gearbox replaced the outdated 4-speed automatic. The diesel was left untouched mechanically and had a different grille to differentiate it from the petrol.
Indonesia
The Corolla Altis was launched on 28 February 2008, and offered in the base J, popular mid-level G, and luxury V trim levels. All were powered by the 1.8-litre 1ZZ-FE engine with VVT-i. The J is only available with manual transmission, while the G and V are automatic only. On 30 April 2009, the V's 1.8-litre 1ZZ-FE engine was replaced with a 2.0-litre 3ZR-FE engine, mated to an automatic transmission. The G and V trim levels featured smart entry with start button system and automatic climate control.
In July 2010, the facelifted Corolla Altis was launched with the new 1.8-litre 2ZR-FE engine with Dual VVT-i. The 1.8 J was replaced with the new 1.8 E as the base trim level. Mated with the new engines, the base but sporty 1.8 E received a 6-speed manual transmission, while the 1.8 G and 2.0 V came with a CVT.
Malaysia
As with Indonesia, the Corolla Altis was launched in March 2008 in Malaysia as well. It was offered in 5 variants – 1.8G, 1.8G Sporty, 1.8E, 1.8E Sporty and 1.6E. All variants were equipped with the 1ZZ-FE engine model with the exception of the 1.6E, that used the 3ZZ-FE engine. Each of these 5 variants only came with 4-speed automatic transmission with Super ECT.
Output for the 1.8 model was at 6000 rpm with at 4200 rpm. Output for the 1.6 model was at 6000 rpm with at 4400 rpm.
On 23 September 2010, a facelift to the Corolla Altis was launched where the ZZ engines were replaced by ZR engines. Toyota Malaysia has designated the new variants as 2.0V, 1.8G, 1.8E and 1.6E. All variants' engines are mated with CVT – except the 1.6E remained with Super ECT 4-speed automatic transmission.
Specifications for the facelifted models are: Models Engine Power Torque1.6E1598 cc I4 (1ZR-FE) at 6000 rpm at 5200 rpm1.8E/1.8G1798 cc I4 (2ZR-FE) at 6400 rpm at 4000 rpm2.0V1986 cc I4 (3ZR-FE) at 5600 rpm at 3600 rpm
Pakistan
In Pakistan, the E140 Corolla was launched in August 2008. It was offered in four trim levels: XLi, GLi, Altis and Corolla Diesel. The facelift version was launched in April 2011.
The XLi was offered with the 1.3L 2NZ-FE VVT-i Inline 4 engine. Pakistan was the only market to use the 2NZ-FE in the Corolla. This model did not include airbags, ABS or power windows. It was only offered in two colours, black and white.
The GLi had the same engine and specifications as the XLi but the GLi was equipped with ABS, and power windows. Just like the XLi, the GLi was not fitted with airbags. Metallic colours were available in the GLi.
The Toyota Corolla Altis was found in the 1.6, 1.8, 1.6SR, and 1.8SR trims and had alloy rims.
The Corolla diesel was available in two trim levels: Corolla 2.0D and the Corolla 2.0D Saloon. The Corolla 2.0D was equipped with Toyota's 1974 cc, 2C engine which produced 74 hp. It did not have airbags, ABS or power windows. It was only offered in two colours: black and white.
The Corolla 2.0D Saloon had the same engine as the Corolla 2.0D, but this variant was only available with a 5-speed manual. The 2.0D Saloon came with alloy rims, side skirts, Optitron gauges, wooden inserts in the interior and a single driver side airbag. Optional extra on the model is the sunroof.
The facelift for the Corolla was launched on 11 April 2011. Initially only the XLi and GLi trims were available, with modifications to the front and rear lights, front grille, and bumpers, along with a revised interior colour scheme. The 1.8L model with the 1ZZ-FE engine was ceased and was replaced with the 1.6L model with the 1ZR-FE engine producing 122 bhp. The facelift Altis was launched in May 2011. The Altis comes with wood grain panel inserts in the interior, optitron speedometer, 5-spoke alloy rims, fog lamps, power windows, power seats, ABS with EBD, driver side SRS airbag and a 6-speed (forward) manual transmission. Optional on the Altis is a 4-speed super ECT automatic transmission and sunroof.
The GLi model is also offered with a 4-speed super ECT automatic transmission and the 1.6L 1ZR-FE engine. This version of the GLi is the same as the 1.3L GLi, albeit with the 1.6L engine and the 4-speed ECT automatic transmission, hence making it very similar to the Altis, save for the alloy rims and the wooden inserts in the interior.
Philippines The tenth generation Corolla was launched as the Corolla Altis in the Philippines on 7 March 2008. It has three variants, the 2.0, 1.8 and 1.6 V, all came with automatic transmission, the 1.6 G available in either manual or automatic transmission, and the 1.6 E, with manual transmission. The 1.6-litre and 1.8-litre engine is the same 3ZZ-FE and 1ZZ-FE motor used in the ninth generation Corolla, whereas the 2.0-litre variant is powered by the newer 3ZR-FE engine equipped with Dual VVT-i technology.