Another New Sport Compact

[mikeyb]

I was browsing on www.autoweek.com and came acrossed an article about SEMA. Toyota is going to release a 04 Corolla XRS to compete in the sport compact car market.

http://www.autoweek.com/cat_content.mv?port_code=autoweek&cat_code=carnews&loc_code=index&content_code=04358848

What do you all think???

[Matthew]

needs a drop...what pisses me off, is as soon as it comes out, theyll be like 1 million parts for it.

[mikeyb]

It does look like a rally car. And your right about a 1 million parts will be available for it.. Like the supercharger from the Matrix/Vibe.

[mcstark]

Yeah, but it's a Toyota so it will ride like a couch off the showroom floor. And they're "remapped" it to get more mid-range torque. That motor is weak! Sure it's got 175 horse, but it will be a dog in everyday traffic.

I love my Mazda truck engine!

[tonkabui]

hmm... i like the idea, but i don't think it's gonna work out too well since the corolla is now famous for its bullet proof reliability and lexus-like ride (read boring ass drive and really dead handling characterstics). i don't think sticking in a steroidal engine will woo buyers into seeing past its corolla-ness. maybe if they brought back the corolla coupe or something.

[Micah]

Although pricing has not been set, Esmond said the XRS will cost about $2,500 more than the top-end model. The top of the line 2004 Corolla LE starts at $15,265, including freight.

~~~~~~~~~

I think it will do pretty well, that yamaha 1.8 liter engine has gotten alot of great reviews, and makes nearly 100 HP per liter.

You also do realize that Toyota is the most powerful car company in the world. Highest Worldwide revenues and sales. For like the past 6 years.

But yeah, I have to agree - their latest cars are some of the most uninspiring cars I have driven .

[Excitmnt94]

not a big fan. i just dont like the way it looks...little to no personality. and im also not a fan of cars that make no power until about 5K RPM. like someone else said...a pain in the ass 95% of the time. you have to drive it like you hate it to get any performance out of it.

[JMS'sMSP]

Yeah even Saturn is getting in on the sport compact class. With a 200hp Ion. Supercharged not Turbo though...

[Andres]

That XRS won't work in my formula...

For me there's like 3 different CAMRY style variations in Toyota's line: 1st the Camry, 2nd the up-town Camry (read Lexus ES300), and 3rd the little brother Camry (read Corolla).
Toyota's design is simply so boring!!!, actually I prefered so much more the previous Corolla design than the current one!, this new Corolla looks tall and thin while the previous model (not crazy about it anyway) at least looked wider and lower...

When that person from Toyota in Autoweek's article says they're encouraged by the response they have had on the "S" model, it just seems to me like the "great response" Mitsubishi got on the O.Z. Rally edition Lancer, which I believe is all show no go...

Anyway, that kind of car won't tempt me at all... the outside has to tell me something besides whatever is under the hood, and I'm not talking about some spoilers and ground effects.

Later,
Andrés.
:p

[mikeyb]

I still think the Corolla is still your average grandmother's car. Look at Toyota's model line. Really what do they have for excitment? Yes they have the Celica and MR2. Toyota doesn't offer many vehicles that grab your attention.

[CruzinAltitude]

styling = yawn

[mikeyb]

Originally posted by Andres
That XRS won't work in my formula...

For me there's like 3 different CAMRY style variations in Toyota's line: 1st the Camry, 2nd the up-town Camry (read Lexus ES300), and 3rd the little brother Camry (read Corolla).
Toyota's design is simply so boring!!!, actually I prefered so much more the previous Corolla design than the current one!, this new Corolla looks tall and thin while the previous model (not crazy about it anyway) at least looked wider and lower...

When that person from Toyota in Autoweek's article says they're encouraged by the response they have had on the "S" model, it just seems to me like the "great response" Mitsubishi got on the O.Z. Rally edition Lancer, which I believe is all show no go...

Anyway, that kind of car won't tempt me at all... the outside has to tell me something besides whatever is under the hood, and I'm not talking about some spoilers and ground effects.

Later,
Andrés.
:p

Yes the Corrolla S and Lancer OZ Rally are very similar with all the visual add ons as the XRS and Lancer Ralliart are similar with the visual and performance add ons. All four cars fit a role in each manufacturer linup.

Heres some more pics:

http://www.ultimatecarpage.com/frame.mv?file=car.mv&num=1805

[II-Savy]

styling = yawn......what he said.

[uclap5]

i bet they could make good money bringing back the ae86.... :D

[Swerny]

That's a POS IMO.
$2500 more than the top Corolla, 16 inch wheels? Lowered half an inch only?
Corollas and Echos are way too tall, and like Honda, have wheels that are way too small.
If they had dropped that SOB another inch, tucked at least 17's, and put on a decent front fascia /air dam, it would have looked respectable.
I read an article on the Celica GTS years ago that said Toyota tried to out-Honda Honda with the 8000 rpm redline etc. It's not useable at all. Look at the torque #'s...very Civic like.

[JOS3]

i was reading about it in HCI and i was thinking 'what a waste' they didnt even bother restyling it at all. except for the rims, which they took off the matrix. it looks like ass to begin with.

the new civics look 50 times better than that ugly piece of shit


so basically, its a sedan version of the matrix now. could they have made this move to match what mazda did with the 3 and 3 hatchback?

[Uturnman]

What gets me is that they've now made the effort to put the 2zz-ge engine in the matrix and the corolla, but once again overlooked the MR-S. IMHO, that's where the 2zz trully belongs. I'd love to have that "unusable" power band in my little roadster. Oh well, I guess a swap is in my future... :D

[mikeyb]

What about the 2.4L from the Camry and Scion TC Coupe?

[II-Savy]

What about the 2.4L from the Camry and Scion TC Coupe?
The TC Coup will be nice with cost effective super Charger added into the mix, thats 200hp.

[Uturnman]

What about the 2.4L from the Camry and Scion TC Coupe?
The 2.4L is nice, but the 2zz is a much better engine IMO

[Iconoclast]

not impressed. its butt fugly

[Ceej]

needs a drop...what pisses me off, is as soon as it comes out, theyll be like 1 million parts for it.
No shit, that and every single Honda product.

[Kooldino]

"The Corolla XRS is powered by the same 1.8-liter Yamaha motor that's in the top-end Celica and Matrix, generating 173 horsepower and 127 pounds-feet of torque"

Wow, I didn't know that Yamaha designed that motor.

[Familia323]

isnt that yamaha engine the same engine in the new US bound Lotus Elise? (well a little worked on of course)

[Uturnman]

isnt that yamaha engine the same engine in the new US bound Lotus Elise? (well a little worked on of course)
Yota engine with a Yamaha head. Yes, same engine found in the Federal Elise.

[03mazspeedproto]

ugly ass hell. not impressed. end of story. (notcool)