Friday, February 21, 2014
Richmond Review · Page 13
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Welcome to the driver’s seat
This new 2014 Corolla has been on sale here since the fall of 2013 and sale by the number, I see on the road, it looks to be a hit already. Visit V isit the 2014 Corolla gallery at DrivewayBC.ca
Eco version of world’s top seller stingy on gas Th TToyota C The Corolla ll iis the h best b hi ddesign. i Th eye-catching The lower stance, standard LED selling car of all time, worldprojector headlamps and wide, selling 1.3 million units sleeker bodywork now make in Canada alone since it was this a car people would be introduced in 1966. proud to own. To say the Corolla is a big deal for Toyota is an underInside statement as it represents The dash is wide and flat 47 per cent of all passenger with easy to see, and use, For those that sales for Toyota Canada. But radio and heat controls, place fuel economy the Corolla is also a big deal but the look is fresh and for Canada as it is made in over everything, the contemporary. The seats now Ontario and the Cambridge sit lower in the car to make Corolla Eco might just assembly plant. Cambridge room for the slightly lower was selected as the lead plant be worth a look as it roofline, but I found getting for vehicle development, as takes an already thrifty in and out no problem. it makes cars for all of North car and squeezes even The seats provide excellent America, the Corolla’s biggest and comfort. more out of each litre support market. The back seat has a lot of fuel. This new 2014 Corolla has more legroom because been on sale here since the the wheelbase of this new Zack Spencer fall of 2013 and by the nummodel has been stretched ber I see on the road, it looks by 10 cms. The car is also to be a hit already. slightly wider, making hip room impressive. For those that place fuel economy over Overall the cabin is large and airy and everything, the Corolla Eco might just be nicely put together, considering the price. worth a look as it takes an already thrifty Since the S, LE or Eco models will be the car and squeezes even more out of each sales leaders, Toyota has kitted all three litre of fuel. out with a 6.1-inch touch-screen radio that includes Bluetooth streaming audio, phone Looks connectivity and a backup camera. Faux One major criticism of Toyota as a brand, leather seats are available on the S and LE and the Corolla, in particular, has been drab but not the Eco. The good news is that all styling. Toyota recently has been walking models come with heated front seats. a nice line between updating their lineup
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to be more progressive but also keeping their loyal buyers happy. The Corolla is sold in several different trim levels, starting at $15,995 to get the base CE, but the reality is that most Canadians will upgrade to the $19,215 S (Sport) or the LE for $19,500. To upgrade to this $20,500 LE Eco model is $1,035 over the S model and $750 over the regular LE. I prefer the S trim for its more aggressive 17-inch wheels compared to the LE and LE Eco, which come with smaller 16-inch wheels. Regardless, this model is a massive step forward in terms of delivering an
Drive All but the Eco model come with a 132hp version of the 1.8L 4-cylinder engine carried over from the last car. The Eco gets a 140hp version that comes with Toyota’s Valevematic technology that helps to pump out the extra 8hp, yet improves fuel economy. The base CE is sold with either a 6-speed manual or the 4-speed automatic found in the last model. The only other model to be offered with a manual is the S trim. That leaves the LE and Eco with a standard continuously variable transmission (CVT),
Proud in pink…
andd this hi unit i as an option i iin the h S trim. i The upside to buying the Eco is an improved fuel economy score. The regular LE with a CVT has a combined city and highway rating of 5.9L/100km but the Eco model drops that down to 5.7L/100km. The penalty for this economy conomy is a lack of driving spirit. rit. I drove the S model at the Quebec City launch and expected a similar performance because this Eco has This B.C. owned Intermeccanica Roadster wears its colour eight more horsewith pride wherever it shows. power. Not the case. It is a faithful reproduction on the 1959 Porsche 356-A ConvertI would take the ible “D”, which the Vancouver-based custom builders began minor fuel economy O T producing in 1982. P O T G A S PINK PUTTININ hit and buy the S or regular egular This car was hand built in 2011 and would cost around ON 26 G Y L BUL DAY, FEB. $95,000 to reproduce today. It has standard equipment such LE instead. T SHIR as Porsche suspension, four-wheel-disc brakes, and 356-type Verdict reclining seats. The Corolla is a fine update, pdate, Power is provided by an Audi 1.8-litre, 185 hp turbo fuel Toyota set out to makee a injected engine with auto transmission. roomier, more stylish and value It has a full leather interior, square weave carpeting in silver blue with pink leather binding. The custom 356 instrument panel has pink facing packed car. The Eco hass no options availavail and the courtesy lights even provide a pink hue to the interior. able so it sticks to the $20,150 base price. It’s a classic in appearance but it does have such contemporary creature I do enjoy the new interior, the styling is comforts as electric windows, power door locks with remote keyless an improvement and many families will entry, and air conditioning! welcome the space.
Join the cause and buy a pink shirt at pinkshirtday.ca or at London Drugs
Question of the week: Have you ever been the subject of rude or intimidating behaviour while driving? What happened? Please explain why you have made that decision. Go to drivewayBC.ca to submit your answer. The Lowdown Power: 1.8L 4-cylinder with 132hp or 140hp Fill-up: 6.5L/4.6L/100km (city/highway Eco) Sticker price: $15,995-$20,250 zack.spencer@drivewaybc.ca
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QUESTION OF THE WEEK!
Safety Tip: While our days are continuing to get longer, road conditions remain challenging and visibility is limited. As drivers, we always need to be on the lookout for pedestrians but especially at busy intersections and near transit stops where they may be coming and going and not always in a crosswalk.