Recent comments by Toyota insiders suggest that the Japanese giant is readying a new Corolla that will be far more different than initially suspected.
“Some (within Toyota) have said it is an even more dramatic change” than the Avalon’s recent metamorphosis, Bill Fay, general manager for the Toyota and Scion brands in the U.S., told Wards Auto at a media preview of the new RAV4 EV.
When we published renderings of what appeared to be a rather conservative Corolla successor a month ago, we were told by another Toyota insider that they were not accurate. He also confirmed that the recent NS4 plug-in hybrid concept gives some clues to the next Corolla’s look. Now it is believed that the Chinese concept, Yundong Shaungqing, may also be dropping hints in terms of styling direction.
Whatever the case may be, it looks like the Corolla will indeed make a style leap when it launches in more than a year’s time. Expect it on sale in South Africa in 2014. It will use the same platform as the new Auris.
