New  Toyota Corolla Altis

New 2014 Toyota Corolla Altis 1.8 petrol / 1.4 Diesel Review: Proven Corollary

Engine, Transmission and Performance

New Corolla Altis engine

The engine options on the new Corolla remain unchanged and the car continues to be powered by a 1.8 liter VVTi petrol and a 1.4 liter D-4D diesel engine. The engines have been kept untouched and there is no difference in the output figures or behavior of the power plants. The 1.8 liter Dual VVT-i petrol engine is good for 140PS of power @ 6400 rpm and peak torque of 173 Nm @4000 rpm. The diesel unit produces 88.4PS of power @ 3800 rpm and maximum torque of 205 Nm between 1800 to 2800 rpm.

 new 2014 toyota Corolla interior (40)

Buyers of the 1.8 liter petrol variant will get an option to choose between a 6 speed manual or 7 speed Super CVT-i automatic transmission. The diesel engine, however, will be available only with a 6 speed manual transmission. The 7 speed CVT transmission, what Toyota prefers calling the Super CVT-i features a sequential shift is surprisingly quick and responsive for a CVT.

new 2014 toyota Corolla interior (7)

We were expecting it to be lazy and unresponsive, but it wiped out all our apprehensions in a variety of driving conditions. While it’s no DSG when it comes to quickness and aptness of shifts, the 7 speed auto unit works well enough and doesn’t give one a reason to complain.

New 2014 toyota Corolla Altis India (22)

The new 2014 Corolla Altis also comes equipped with steering mounted paddle shifters for manual shifts, which is a great feature for the segment. In addition, manual shifts could be attained by slotting the step gated drive selector to the right into the manual mode. We were surprised by the response delivered by the shifter both in manual and drive modes. Kickdowns came much quicker than anticipated by us. Transmission’s response to various degrees of throttle inputs was quite appreciable too.

New 2014 toyota Corolla Altis India (41)

New 2014 Toyota Corolla Steering wheel (2)
The petrol engine is revvy, spunky and sonorous in the upper range as ever with great response to the right pedal. The 1.8 liter petrol motor suits the segment well and delivers good performance for a car this big. The 1.4 liter diesel engine though is rather sluggish and feels a tad lethargic especially at low revs. Turbo takes its own time spooling up, and you could feel the torque kicking in properly only after 1800 rpm. The output figures from the engine aren’t in sync with the expectations of the segment, though the efficiency is commendable and those driving the diesel variant even on the outgoing model aren’t complaining at all. The 1.4 diesel is a practical and efficient alternative, if a tad sluggish. We wish this engine was bigger both in terms of size and output.

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