Toyota throws some trendy curves with new 2014 Corolla

After more than 40 million sold, this humble compact gets some groove in its step for its 11th generation.

The world's most popular car is finally looking young again.

Toyota pulled the sheet off its new 2014 Corolla early this morning, proving that its humble compact can throw some aggressive curves. 

Toyota's ultraconservative designers have loosened their neckties with this 11th-generation model, drafting slanted LED headlights, a wide, blacked-out lower fascia and a few well-placed creases that take a jolt to the current model's dead nerves. It's remarkably close to the orange Furia concept that debuted in January at the North American International Auto Show. We see a hint of the Scion FR-S in the front, too, which is a very good thing.

But as we join the rest of the automotive press in a collective, "Wow, it's about time," loyal Toyota buyers will just shrug and say, "Thanks, I'll have another" when the car goes on sale this fall. Even in the face of fresher, powerful and more efficient competition, these people snapped up nearly 290,000 Corollas last year, marking it as the fifth-best-selling car in the U.S. 

More than 40 million have been sold since 1966, and nothing in the automotive industry aside from forged steel has the perceived reputation for quality, reliability and value as the Corolla. For Toyota, which practically runs a telepathic connection to its customers, the Corolla is as good as minting its own money.


Underneath the new skin is a carryover engine and transmission, the same 1.8-liter 132-horsepower 4-cylinder engine and the outdated 4-speed automatic transmission. Hey, it works. But that's just for the base L trim. LE and higher models get a new continuously variable transmission, as found on the Prius and competitors such as theNissan Sentra; Toyota says it will return greater fuel economy while providing a more enjoyable drive. 

Lacking physical gear ratios, pulley-driven CVTs tend to keep engine revs low around town, but during acceleration, they usually sap performance and make a car feel like it's continuously slipping a clutch. Toyota said it made an effort to create "discrete shift points" – up to seven, as seen on the Corolla S – that will smooth out throttle inputs and better mimic the up-and-down rev patterns of traditional automatics. A transmission fluid warmer, a decently tall final drive ratio and fewer strains on the engine from the hydraulic pump promise a more efficient CVT than most. 

If it can match the fantastic performance of Honda's new CVT, as used in the 2013 Accord, Toyota's choice will be wise. Fuel economy estimates have not been announced, but Toyota says it expects more than 40 mpg on its new LE Eco model.


That model, like those from Chevrolet and Honda, uses underbody coverings and lower rolling-resistance tires to achieve more highway mileage. But this is also the only Corolla model to feature Valvematic, which Toyota says offers a broader lift and timing spread for the intake valves. The technology improves horsepower to 140, and frankly, we're baffled why Toyota didn't place this fuel-saving on all its models. Even with its added cost, we'll bet Toyota would want the Corolla to have class-leading EPA numbers, which at 27 mpg city and 34 mpg highway it is sorely lacking now.

Instead, Toyota is relying on the new Corolla's slippery aerodynamics (0.28 coefficient of drag) and low weight (less than 2,900 pounds, in keeping with the current model) to boost mileage. A new Eco mode will help, too, by numbing throttle response and dialing down the air conditioner. A Sport setting on S models is "not a track focused mode" – yes, Toyota, we figured – but offers more aggressive shifts and firms up the electric power steering. We're eager to find out how the 2014 Corolla drives, but we'll sum it up right now for current owners: "Like a car."

Inside, the 2014 Corolla takes on the company's flat, horizontally aligned dashboard seen on its Lexus models. It looks sharp and upscale, especially with the shiny black-plastic trim and navigation system in the photos. Whether Toyota has added more soft-touch rubber to offset the current car's bone-hard surfaces remains to be seen. But passengers will certainly enjoy the 4-inch longer length and wheelbase, plus added sound insulation that will hush an already quiet car. 


Probably the most surprising feature is standard LED low-beam headlights, an expensive detail seen as an option on luxury cars and not seen anywhere in the compact segment. 

Eight airbags, up from six, will be offered. Toyota did not specify if any active safety features, such as blind-spot monitoring and collision alerts, would be available. 

Pricing will be announced closer to the car's fall launch, but the Corolla faithful shouldn't expect any big jumps. No matter how trendy and avant-garde this new Corolla is, Toyota isn't about to rock their wallets.

autos.msn.com