2011 Corolla offers style, performance in thifty package
Toyota has had a 40-year tradition of designing fuel-efficient, affordable and reliable vehicles. No vehicle better exemplifies Toyota’s thrifty roots than the 2011 Corolla.
The 2011 Toyota Corolla features new front and rear exterior styling, new interior design changes, Toyota Care complimentary maintenance plan and two new colors.
The latest model also offers Toyota’s Star Safety System—a package of safety equipment including Vehicle Stability Control, Traction Control, Anti-lock Braking System, Electronic Brake-force Distribution and Brake Assist and the Smart Stop Technology brake-override system.
Under the Hood
All 2011 Corolla models come with a 1.8-liter four cylinder engine with dual overhead camshafts that delivers 132 horsepower and 128 pound-feet of torque. Valve timing is controlled by Toyota’s dual variable valve timing with intelligence (VVT-i) for optimal performance and fuel economy.
The internal moving parts have been designed for minimal friction to increase efficiency. Transmission choices include a five-speed manual or four-speed automatic. The automatic transmission utilizes a torque converter for fuel efficiency and shift control on inclines.
Drivers who want a little more control with their automatic transmissions can manually shift them by moving the gear selector from “D” to “S.” Suspension on the front half is handled by an L-arm design using MacPherson struts with a stabilizer bar. The torsion-beam rear suspension uses coil-over shocks.
Comfort and Convenience
The 2011 Corolla offers a long list of standard equipment that make driving an economy vehicle feel like a luxury sedan. The redesigned instrument cluster and its color scheme are paired with a display that gives the driver additional information such as outside air temperature, average speed and average fuel economy.
Toyota engineers designed the front seats to accommodate a wider range of driver heights in the redesigned seats, and standard tilt and telescoping steering wheel make for an easier fit for taller drivers. The rear bench seat can hold three adults, and the center is nearly flat for middle passenger comfort.
An AM/FM/CD audio package incorporates MP3/WMA playability and iPod connectivity. Automatic sound leveling adjusts volume as noise level in the cab increases or decreases.
Safety
All 2011 Corolla models come with six standard airbags. Passengers are protected by front airbags, seat-mounted side airbags and front- and rear-curtain airbags. Seatbelts are more effective at preventing injury with pretensioner devices, and a dual-stage force limiter reduces the pressure on occupants’ chests.
Vehicle Stability Control automatically adjusts engine output and the vehicle’s braking force at individual wheels. VSC helps control any discrepancy between where the driver is steering and where the vehicle is heading. The Corolla includes active headrests, antilock brakes and an energy-absorbing steering column.
If the vehicle is struck from the rear with sufficient force, a cable-actuated mechanism in adjusts the active front headrest upward and forward to help limit movement of the occupant's head.