Toyota have teased the all-new Corolla Altis in Thailand. Toyota Motor Thailand’s latest video clip suggests the new C-segment sedan will go on sale in just over a week on the 12th of September. The teaser also indicates a lot of Toyota Gazoo Racing branding, instead of the usual TRD Sportivo stuff. This could indicate a global shift in the marketing direction for motorsport-inspired kit for Toyotas.
The new Corolla Altis will vastly differ from the current model in a number of ways, with just the wheelbase remaining the same. It’s built on a variation of the Toyota New Global Architecture (TNGA) platform and will benefit from the independent rear suspension.
In Thailand, a huge number of powerplant options are being offered.
- 1.6-litre naturally aspirated petrol, 132hp, 159Nm of torque
- 1.8-litre naturally aspirated petrol, 140hp, 173Nm of torque
- 1.8-litre naturally aspirated petrol with Atkinson cycle and hybrid motor, 122hp, 142 Nm of torque
Features may include the following:
- Adaptive Cruise Control
- Rear Cross Traffic Alert
- Toyota Safety Sense Suite
- Head-up Display
Most of these questions, along with the official price can only be confirmed after the 12th of September launch. But the question most Malaysians will have will take much longer to answer. UMW have yet to locally-assemble their Camry since launching the CBU Thailand model last year. Will the Corolla Altis follow in those footsteps or will this be the first TNGA platform vehicle to roll out of the Bukit Raja plant?
More on the Corolla Altis’ TNGA Platform
The TNGA GA-C platform brings considerable dynamic benefits to the new Toyota Corolla model range, as well as marked improvements to driver ergonomics and visibility.
The GA-C platform guarantees a more rewarding driving experience thanks to a centre of gravity that is lowered by 10 mm, a multi-link rear suspension fitted as standard across the model range, and a 60% more rigid body shell through the use of high strength steel as reinforcement in key areas.
All contribute to better handling and stability without compromising ride and comfort, as well as reducing high frequency vibration for an increased feeling of quality.
Highly Rigid, Lightweight Bodyshell
Aluminium, high tensile strength steel and hot stamped materials have been extensively used, and the panel thickness of the doors and roof panel reduced. This has effected a considerable weight reduction for the body in white and, hence, helps improve overall fuel efficiency.
At the same time, the addition of adhesives throughout the new bodyshell, an increase in the use of spot welding, and the use of fully closed cross-sections and structural rings combine to increase body rigidity by some 60% over the outgoing models, promoting a marked increase in handling agility, responsiveness to steering inputs and high speed stability.
Handling and agility are further improved by the lower mounting height of the engine, the lower hip point of the seats and the location of the hybrid battery beneath the rear seats. In combination, these measures have lowered the new Corolla’s centre of gravity by some 10 mm.
Suspension
The new Corolla range features a proven MacPherson strut front suspension system, an all-new multi-link rear suspension arrangement, new shock absorber valve technology and, for the first time, the availability of Adaptive Variable Suspension (AVS) on Hatchback and Touring Sports variants.
The front suspension geometry has been revised, with newly developed shock absorbers, and coil spring characteristics optimised for a linear steering response during mid- to high-speed cornering.
The bound stopper characteristics, bound stopper clearance and stabiliser location have also been optimised to enhance steering feel. And the strut bearing rotation axis has been realigned from the shock absorber to the king pin axis (steering axis), reducing steering force differences between left and right sides and further improving steering feel.
The suspension arm and bush structures have been changed and the friction of sliding parts reduced to achieve quicker shock absorber response and minimise the transmission of shocks from rough surfaces and achieve high quality ride comfort.
The newly developed multi-link rear suspension features compact packaging and exclusively designed coil springs, which offer both handling stability and ride comfort.
And link arm location has been optimised to keep the tyres at a toe-in angle both during cornering and under braking, enhancing the vehicle’s response to steering inputs and stability under braking.
Both front and rear suspension systems benefit from a 40% reduction in friction for a smoother, more comfortable ride.
The Adaptive Variable Suspension (AVS) system controls shock absorber damping on all four wheels, enhancing both ride comfort and – through improved steering response and a flatter ride – driving performance. Damping force is automatically and continuously controlled through 650 steps by a linear solenoid actuator, which operates four times faster than a conventional step motor.
AVS cooperates with the Drive Mode Select system to control damping force in accordance with the selection of ECO, NORMAL, SPORT S, SPORT S+ or CUSTOM modes, offering drivers the appropriate balance of ride comfort and handling agility.
