The new Corolla range incorporates three fuel-injected four-cylinder powerplants, equipped with Toyota’s VVT-I variable valve timing system.
The new Corolla range incorporates three fuel-injected four-cylinder powerplants, equipped with Toyota’s VVT-I variable valve timing system.
An all-new range of 1,4, 1,6, and 1,8-litre engines have been developed for the Corolla.
According to the manufacturer, the VVT-i system changes the intake valve timing according to engine speed and acts to increase torque in the low- to mid-engine speed ranges.
This system improves performance, driveability and fuel efficiency and assists in producing cleaner exhaust emissions, Toyota claims. All three engines are equipped with catalytic converter exhaust systems.
A long port intake manifold manufactured from resin material combines with a slant squish combustion chamber and an optimised cam profile for enhanced engine performance, especially in the low- and medium-speed ranges.
And in a departure from the current Toyota norm, the twin overhead camshafts on this new series of engines are chain driven rather than belt driven.
All three engines feature light-weight aluminium cylinder blocks. The lower section of the block, which has integral bearing caps, is of a ladder type design that adds to overall engine rigidity and assists in limiting noise and vibration. Further weight reduction measures include the adoption of a serpentine auxiliary belt layout and the use of an aluminium low-weight radiator core.
Ball joints are fitted in two places on the exhaust system to help reduce the transmission of engine vibration and resonance to the body shell.
The 1,4-litre engine (4ZZ-FE) produces 71 kW at 6 000 r/min and 127 N.m torque at 4 800 r/min. The shape of the combustion chamber has been optimised to allow the use of a relatively high compression ratio of 10,5:1, the manufacturer said.
The 3ZZ-FE 1,6-litre powerplant develops 81 kW at 6 000 r/min and 146 N.m torque at 4 400 r/min.
The 1,8-litre engine is designated 1ZZ-FE and produces 100 kW at 6 000 r/min with 171 N.m torque available at 4 200 r/min.
A choice of five-speed manual or a four-speed lock-up automatic transmission is available in the new range.
* A 10-page Special Report on the new Corolla will appear in the October edition of CAR, which goes on sale on September 23
