New Toyota Corolla now on sale

New Corolla

The Irish love affair with the Toyota Corolla is set to continue with the arrival of the 11th generation of this, the world's best-selling car, writes Trish Whelan.

Prices are from €20,995.

This latest Corolla competes in the busy C-segment accounting for over 50,000 of passenger car sales.

The three grades are offered - Terra, Aura and Luna, with a choice of a 1.4 D-4D turbo diesel and a 1.33 Dual VVT-i petrol engine.

Over 40 million Corollas have been sold worldwide (one is sold globally every two minutes), of which 200,000 were sold here in Ireland.

The new car inherits 47 years of Corolla DNA and builds on the model's legendary quality, durability and reliability, but now comes with a more contemporary design, new interiors, improved roominess, comfort, practicality and general user-friendliness.

Toyota claim the lowest fleet-wide C02 in Europe and new Corolla has unrivalled fuel economy and best-in-class C02 emissions from 99g/km. Stop & Start is standard on diesel models. Corolla also comes with improved driving dynamics and enhanced safety features - it achieved a maximum 5-star rating in the latest Euro NCAP crash test programme.

It is 80mm longer, 15mm wider, but 5mm lower than its predecessor.

The interior is all-new, with soft instrument panel upholstery and high-gloss piano black finishes, with silver trim detailing and clear blue instrument, and ambient cabin lighting for a premium quality feel. Customers can choose from two interior colours, ivory or black.

Rear passengers get increased rear legroom as well as more comfortable seats.There's also more luggage space than before. A temporary spare is under the boot floor.

Standard features on the entry level model include Vehicle Stability Control, Hill-start Assist, 7 airbags, whiplash prevention headrests, Emergency Locking Retractor seat belts and Traction Control. It also features LED Daytime running lights.

At today's launch, Toyota Ireland boss David Shannon said "Corolla is Toyota … and Toyota is Corolla". He expects between 500-700 sales this year, moving to a possible 2,500 in a full year, depending on the market. Toyota expect New Corolla to convert a new generation of Irish motorists to the Corolla marque and say they are looking forward to getting Corolla back up to the top of the sales charts.

Pictured below at today's launch of the New Corolla are (from left) Nollaig Breen, Product Marketing Manager; Steve Tormey, Deputy Managing Director; Ian Corbett, Marketing Operations Manager; Brendan Stears, After Sales Manager; and Toyota Ireland Managing Director David Shannon.