Priced on-the-road without insurance, the 1.8E costs RM128,888 while the range-topping 1.8G is RM8,000 more at RM136,888.
Both variants hail from Toyota’s regional production hub in Thailand and are imported in Completely Built-Up (CBU) form - hence the reason why it still maintains having an Altis badge.
Five colour options are available for choice which includes Celestite Gray Metallic - a new iridescent shade, White Pearl CS, Silver Metallic, Red Mica Metallic and Attitude Black.
Against its predecessor, the 1,365kg (kerb) Corolla gets a 2,700mm (+100mm) wheelbase for its 4,630mm-long (+230mm), 1,780mm-wide (+85mm) and 1,435mm-tall (-30mm) body.
The 1.8-litre (1,798cc) 2ZR-FE engine with Dual VVT-i gets two driving 'personalities' of ECO or Sport and sips from a 50-litre fuel tank to produce 139PS at 6,400rpm and 172Nm of torque at 4,000rpm.
Power is managed by a continuously variable transmission that comes with seven virtual shift-points for the front wheels that take directional changes from an electric power-steering system.
The 16-inch wheels wear 205/55 series tyres that partially hide the front ventilated and rear solid disc brakes as well as the front MacPherson struts and rear double-wishbone suspension system.
As standard, the Corolla 1.8E comes equipped with halogens for its main headlights and signal lights, LED daytime-running-lights, rear LED lights clusters as well as front and rear fog lights.
There's also power-adjustable auto-folding wing mirrors with integrated turn-signals, acoustic windshield glass to help reduce noise, vibrations and harshness levels and a remote trunk release.
Inside, the cabin is accessible via keyless entry (driver's door only) with push-start button and greets its driver with a standard meter cluster with a 4.2-inch colour TFT multi-information display.
Adding to the features are the black fabric upholstery, leather gear knob and three-spoke multi-function steering wheels as well as single-zone automatic climate controls with rear-blower to help keep situations cool.
Entertainment comes from a six-speaker sound system with a 6.8-inch DVD touchscreen with USB mirroring, radio, MP3 player, voice dial, AUX-jack and Bluetooth connectivity.
For safety, the Corolla gets seven airbags, anti-lock braking system with electronic brake-force distribution, brake assist, vehicle stability control, traction control, hill-start assist, emergency stop signal, front and rear parking sensors and tyre pressure warning system.
As for the 1.8G, the RM8,000 premium up-sizes the wheels to 17 inches with 225/45 series tyres before adding on automatic paddle-shifters, Bi-LED projector headlights, reverse-tilt function for the wing mirrors and automatic wipers.
There's also a 7.0-inch digital instrument cluster now as well as cruise control leather upholstery and an eight-way powered driver's seat with lumbar support, electrochromic rearview mirror, a rear sunshade, wireless QI charger and an electric parking brake with automatic brake hold.
Also included is a 360-degree camera view as well as a front and rear digital video recorder. However, these items are available for the 1.8E as an optional extra.
Safety is further bolstered by the inclusion of Toyota Safety Sense which includes a pre-collision system, lane-departure alert with steering assist and lane tracing assist, adaptive cruise control, automatic high-beam, blind-spot monitoring system,
As an optional extra, both variants can be added with a vehicle telematics system.
“The all-new Toyota Corolla is one of the first models in Toyota’s range to adopt TNGA – Toyota New Global Architecture. TNGA offers enormous flexibility to the designers and engineers to optimize designs for different types of vehicles,” said UMW Toyota president Ravindran K.
Prior to the launch, members of the media were given the opportunity to test drive the new Corolla up to Genting Highlands.
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