All-new Corolla Altis in Toyota showrooms now

By Dr Long

The 10th generation Toyota Corolla has been revealed to the media today. You will no doubt get very comprehensive press releases from other online sources - websites and blogs - later tonight. For a change, here is a pictorial summary based on a showroom 'sneak' preview of the all-new Toyota Corolla Altis 1.8E. Please click on all images for larger view.

Front end is more promising than the Japanese market Corolla Axio. Note fog lamp housing/cut-out resembling new Lexus IS250. Alloys design pinched from Lexus. 16" Michelin MXV8 standard for 1.8 and 15" for 1.6.

Dash design and two-tone theme takes the safe non-opinion splitting route. Soft touch materials on top of dash top and door trim commendable. Dual SRS Airbags standard for all models. Rack assistance is electric powered now.
Proven and economical 4-pot carried over from last Altis 1.8. Max power/torque of 132ps @ 6000rpm/170Nm @ 4200rpm.

One of the best angle of the new 10th generation Corolla, imported (CBU) form Thailand this time around. Large centric T-badge carries much weight to many die-hard fans.

Things starting to look a little jaded (deja-vu) starting from here.

Sideline is very familiar though upon closer look has convex-concave surfacing especially at shoulder line of front door. Window frames appeared to be recycled as well. Wheelbase at 2600mm (and platform) same as previous Corolla Altis.
Two tiered glovebox for more storage options.
Gated gear lever with manual shifting (+/-) options. Retains 4A/T of predecessor for both 1.6 and 1.8. Climate control A/C only for 1.8 model.

Capacious boot with moulded luggage tray as standard.

Rear headlamps also mimics the IS250 wrapround kink at lateral aspects. Overall rear profile still imparts much sense of deja-vu. New model has larger presence now and design appears more convincing in the metal.

Confirmed prices for the 10th generation Corolla Altis are (on-the-road with insurance):

1.6E: RM102,900

1.8E: RM109,900

1.8E Sporty: RM112,250

1.8G: RM117,900

1.8G Sporty: RM120,250

Note: Sporty spec denotes additional bodykit and bootlip spoiler.

*Kindly cantact Peter Ho for more information, test drive appointment and booking: 012-3909688 (Peninsular Malaysia only)

Related posts:

http://for-wheels.blogspot.com/2008/03/2008-all-new-toyota-corolla-altis.html

http://for-wheels.blogspot.com/2008/02/2008-toyota-altis-on-sale-in-thailand.html

http://for-wheels.blogspot.com/2007/06/2007-all-new-toyota-corolla-sedan.html

2008 All-New Toyota Corolla Altis: Indicative pricings ahead of launch

Admittedly in media teaser ads to be due March 14th 2008 in all of UMW Toyota (and authorised dealers') showrooms, here are the estimated prices of the new all-new Corolla Altis:

1.6E : RM102,900

1.8E : RM109,900

1.8G : RM117,900

Related posts:

http://for-wheels.blogspot.com/2008/02/2008-toyota-altis-on-sale-in-thailand.html

http://for-wheels.blogspot.com/2007/06/2007-all-new-toyota-corolla-sedan.html

2008 Toyota Corolla Altis on sale now in Thailand

Story and Pictures by: Peter Lee

Click on images to enlargeOnce again, another new Toyota model has been launched in Thailand, way ahead of Malaysia. I had the opportunity to view the all-new Toyota Altis 1.8E in a Toyota showroom in Rangsit, Thailand. Surprisingly, after taking about a dozen shots on my camera, I was barred from snapping further. Maybe they were paranoid that these images could be going online soon, to the detriment of other ASEAN countries where the new Altis has yet been launched. Buggers! Whatever the reason(s) may be, I found it absolutely ludicrous in this ICT age of broadband and internet.






Let’s go straight to my personal views of the car. If you are thinking that the new Altis will look like a junior CAMRY in the metal, you will be dead disappointed. In fact, there is no WOW-factor or drool-inducing aesthetics about the new ALTIS, unlike the Camry.
The side profile and rear looked much like the previous Altis while the front is much like a broader VIOS replica, albeit with slimmer headlamps. I do admit the interior and dashboard design/layout is better now (with Camry’s steering wheel et al) but I still hate the FAKE-wood trims, much like varnished coffins wood actually. For the record, I hate all the wood (pseudo or otherwise) inserts used in both Toyota and Lexus.


Which begs the question now: “Would I buy the new Corolla Altis?”
My family has owned 3 generations of Corollas. My wife currently uses a Toyota Wish for daily commute. I also owned both generations of Toyota Harriers aka Lexus RX. My company car in Bangkok office is a new Vios G. With such proven 'track records', I would likely be parking another new Corolla in one of my driveways, right? Sadly, the answer is...NO.

Because there is totally NO driver involvement. No positive feedback. No sense of excitement. In short, what you get is, more often than not, a detached driving experience. To sum it nicely, it’s just a reliable passenger carrier. Not much depth beyond that often much-treasured TOYOTA emblem/badge. Well, perhaps the all-new Supra coupe (ala LH-A concept) would change my perception but alas, that’s a super coupe with a possibly Continental-level premium price.


Back to reality, for the price that I may be paying (estimated circa RM115k) for the new Altis 1.8 come March 2008 in Malaysia, I would rather have a 2nd look at the SSS model or ML sedan - both Japanese imports (CBU). At least these are more exciting to be chucked around, relatively speaking of course.


Related post:
http://for-wheels.blogspot.com/2007/06/2007-all-new-toyota-corolla-sedan.html

All-new Corolla confirmed slated for 2008 in Malaysia

UMW Toyota Motor Sdn Bhd managing director Datuk David Chen has confirmed that the 10th generation Corolla model will be launched next year, as part of its efforts to boost Toyota passenger vehicles market presence ahead of stiffer competition.

He said this after a grand opening of the new Toyota main showroom in Kelantan by UMW chairman Tan Sri Asmat Kamaludin.

In the meantime, the motoring public will likely see the all-new VIOS in Toyota showrooms by next month.

Related post and more all-new Corolla pictures:
http://for-wheels.blogspot.com/2007/06/2007-all-new-toyota-corolla-sedan.html

You may want to read this:
http://for-wheels.blogspot.com/2007/09/all-new-toyota-vios-prices-leaked-ahead.html