2014 Toyota Corolla Altis might be launched in India in May

Toyota had started accepting bookings of the 2014 Corolla Altis, last month, for a token of Rs 50,000. Now, according to rumours doing rounds it seems that the launch date of the sedan has been set on May 27, with deliveries likely to begin a week after. The car was unveiled in India at the 2014 Delhi Auto Expo, last month, and is expected to cost Rs 40,000 more than the current model.

The Indian-spec Corolla Altis has been derived from the European model. Based on the ‘Furia’ design philosophy, the Corolla Altis gets a complete makeover and is wider and longer than the current car. The front of the car houses a large three-slat chrome grille with blacked-out headlamps with LED inserts. The hood has been redesigned and features sharp creases, which coupled with the sharp front fascia, gives the car an aggressive look.

Even inside, the car gets major upgrades, though the design is kept conservative. The extra translates into better space and legroom for the passengers. New creature comforts include a 7.1-inch touch screen infotainment system, a reversing camera, push start-stop button and rain sensing wipers. Safety features like front airbags and ABS with EBD will continue to be offered as standard.

Toyota will retain the engine lineup for the new Corolla Altis, which includes a 1.8-litre petrol unit and a 1.4-litre diesel engine. The former produces 138bhp and 173Nm of torque while the latter produces 87bhp and 205Nm of torque. Both engines are available with a six-speed manual while the petrol will get the option of a seven-speed automatic gearbox.

The Corolla has always been considered as conservatively styled car, though with the new car, Toyota has managed to grab everyone’s attention. The car looks much more appealing than the outgoing model and is decently equipped too. With the rumoured price hike of Rs 40,000, the Corolla Altis is expected to retain its Rs 12 lakh to Rs 17 lakh price bracket. The Corolla Altis goes up against the VW Jetta, Chevrolet Cruze, Hyundai Elantra and the Skoda Octavia in the D-Segment.

Source: Autocar