The Los Angeles Auto Show will be opening its doors to the members of the press tomorrow, but Toyota can't wait to share its facelifted 2011 Corolla sedan. The Japanese firm's bread and butter model has received a mild makeover along with some equipment upgrades. It will go on sale in the States in December.
The most obvious visual changes concern the front end which gains new bumper, grille and headlamp designs. At the back, there are newly styled tail lamps as well as a revised turn lid and rear license garnish. Other changes include the slightly larger side-view mirrors, an engine undercover that promises to improve air management under the car and new wheel designs.
The S model seen in these photos features a standard body kit that adds a front spoiler, rocker moldings, and upper and lower rear spoilers.
The interior upgrades are even more subtle being limited to new seat colors and patterns, different trim on the instrument panel and doors, plus a newly designed three-spoke sports steering wheel on the Corolla S.
There are no changes under the hood with the 2011 Corolla being offered with a standard 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine, which produces 132 hp at 6,000 rpm and 128 lb-ft of torque at 4,400 rpm. According to the Japanese maker, the 1.8-liter engine has an EPA-estimated fuel economy rating of 28 mpg city and 35 mpg highway with the five-speed manual transmission, and 26 mpg city and 34 mpg highway with the four-speed automatic transmission.
Toyota made no mention of the XRS, which for the 2010MY, comes with a 158HP 2.4-liter unit, so we'll have to wait and see if it has been crossed out of the range or if it will return for the 2011MY.
For now, we know that the 2011 Corolla will be available in three grades, the base-model Corolla, LE, and S, all powered by the 1.8L engine.
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