2005 Toyota Corolla lineup

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This article was published 07/05/2004 (8011 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

TOYOTA Canada has given its Corolla compact sedan a minor facelift, made content and pricing changes, and added a “performance” XRS model to the three existing trims.

All models of the sedans made in Cambridge, Ont. get a remodeled grille, and a new front bumper and lower valance combination, taillights, and wheel covers.

Inside all models, there are new seat materials and a vertical adjustment for the driver’s seat.

The standard equipment list for every 2005 Corolla sold in Canada now includes front passenger airbags with status indicator, an engine immobilizer for added security, UV glass protection, and a rear centre seat headrest.

To pay for this equipment, Toyota Canada has raised the MSRP on the three carryover models and launched the upscale XRS version.

For 2005, Toyota Canada’s lineup of Corolla sedans starts with the CE model at $15,490, goes to the Sport at $19,955, continues on with the LE at $21,600, and now concludes with the XRS at $24,185.

In the view of Tony Wearing, managing director of Toyota Canada, “Corolla surprises owners with how much value they can get for their money — something that’s especially important in today’s extremely competitive compact sedan segment.”

In Wearing’s view, “For 2005, Toyota is again raising buyers’ expectations, starting with the base model and adding value all the way through the new Corolla lineup.”

The CE, Sport and LE versions of Corolla are powered by Toyota’s 1ZZ-FE 1.8-litre, 16-valve, four-cylinder engine attached to a five-speed manual shifter. This engine used multi-port fuel-injection and variable valve timing to produce 130 hp at 6,000 rpm and 125 lb.-ft. of torque at 4,200 rpm. A four-speed automatic transmission is optional on these versions of Corolla.

The XRS trim gets the hyped-up version of the 1.8-litre engine, delivering 170 hp and 127 lb.-ft. of torque to the front wheels through a six-speed manual — there’s no other transmission choice.

Each version of Corolla is “equipped to please” a different group of buyers, Wearing says. “Enhancing comfort and functionality, each Corolla trim level offers a unique combination of materials, finishes and standard features.”

Along with the standard equipment added to all Corolla models, the CE also gets 15-inch wheels, a tilt steering wheel, four-speaker AM/FM/CD sound system, power outside mirrors, 60/40 split folding rear seat, digital dual-trip odometer with outside temperature gauge, a covered centre console, driver seat height adjustment, coloured-keyed body-side mouldings, and carpet floor mats.

There are two option packages on the Corolla CE, Wearing explains. The customer starts with Package “B”, which includes air conditioning, an air filter to collect dust and pollen, and remote keyless entry, To that, they can add option package “C”, which includes power windows with driver-side auto-down and cruise control.

The purely cosmetic Corolla Sport model (i.e. there are no performance upgrades) gets all of that plus a new door lock shift activation on models equipped with automatic transmission, a rear spoiler, a skirt package, 15-inch aluminum alloy wheels, fog lamps, a unique black interior, keyless entry with lockout protection, a six-speaker stereo system, chrome interior finishes and leather-wrapped steering wheel, colour-keyed outside mirrors, and silhouette lit instrument cluster faces.

The option package for Corolla Sport delivers a tire pressure monitoring system, anti-lock brakes with electronic brake force distribution, cruise control, power windows, and a power moonroof.

Corolla LE comes with a tire pressure monitoring system, door lock shift activation, new Optitron gauges, new front fog lamps, a six-speaker stereo system, aluminum wheels, keyless entry with lockout protection, power windows with driver-side auto-down, cruise control, and anti-lock brakes with electronic brake force distribution.

Corolla LE option package includes new front and rear/side curtain airbags, leather seats, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, power moonroof, chrome inside door handles, and an anti-theft system.

Along with the unique powertrain, the new Corolla XRS model gets four anti-lock disc brakes with electronic brake force distribution, 16-inch aluminum wheels, a tire-pressure monitoring system, a power moonroof with a shade, keyless entry, power windows with driver-side auto down, cruise control with clean air filter, Optitron gauges, a leather wrapped steering wheel and shift knob, silver interior accents, fabric bucket seats, illuminated entry, side skirts, rear spoiler with LED, a coloured front grille, and a front strut tower bar.

Wearing says every Corolla gets a “smooth ride and lively performance that are further enhanced by a finely-tuned suspension system that is both stable and responsive.”

MacPherson struts and a front anti-roll bar, plus a twist-beam with anti-roll bar in the rear, combine with linear control valves in the shock absorbers at all four corners to “increase ride comfort without sacrificing suspension control.”

On the XRS trim, Wearing says, the extra horsepower is “complemented by a sport-tuned suspension that includes a front damper mounted between the shock towers to improve ride quality and handling without increasing noise vibration and harshness.”

The XRS suspension also features increased rate coil springs and shocks on all four wheels, Wearing says, which is meant to reduce roll and pitch. All of this sits on a body that’s been lowered by 25 mm and given 16-inch aluminum wheels fitted with 195/55R15 Michelin performance summer tires, which means XRS buyers will also need to buy special tires for winter.

The CE, LE and Sport Corollas use disc brakes in the front and drums in the back, while the XRS gets discs at all corners.

ABS and electronic brake distribution are not available at all on the CE trim, but are standard on LE and XRS. ABS is optional on the Sport.

Corolla CE is fitted with P185/65R tires, while Corolla Sport and LE ride on 195/65R15 tires.

Because Toyota is anxious to get a piece of the aftermarket tuner business, a bunch of add-on toys can be viewed at the Vehicle Configurator at www.toyota.ca or even at a dealership.

Wearing says “an extensive menu of individually priced options allows owners to enhance their Corolla with features that add style, power, luxury and performance.”

One of the most popular options with driving enthusiasts “could be a supercharger from Toyota Racing Development that can be fitted — or

retrofitted — to any Corolla with a 1ZZ-FE engine.”

The Roots-type supercharger boosts maximum horsepower by up to 30 per cent, to 170 at 6,800 rpm.

–DIL Auto News Service

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