All-new 2020 Toyota Corolla Sedan Debuts
Engine
The 2020 Corolla sedan L, LE, and XLE grades will use the 1.8-liter engine (2ZR-FAE) found in the previous generation, yet with more horsepower and better fuel efficiency. The XSE and SE grades are powered by a completely-new 2.0-liter Dynamic-Force direct-injection inline four-cylinder engine (M20A-FKS). This new engine delivers more performance while using less fuel. Remarkably, the new Corolla sedan engine is physically smaller and lighter, helping to lower the car’s center of gravity and improve its overall balance.
The new Dynamic Force engine gets it high power and efficiency from a combination of high compression ratio (13:1), Toyota D4-S fuel injection combining direct and secondary port injectors, high-speed combustion, VVT-iE intelligent variable valve-timing on the intake side and VVT-i on the exhaust. VVT-iE uses an electric motor instead of oil pressure to control the variable valve timing.
All of those technologies, along with ultra-low internal friction, yield a maximum thermal efficiency of 40 percent, very high for a passenger vehicle engine. You can’t feel thermal efficiency, but you can feel the effects of 169 peak horsepower at 6,600 rpm and 151 lb.-ft peak torque at 4,800 rpm.
Transmissions
Sedan buyer trends are shifting, and the 2020 Corolla sedan is right there with them. The new Dynamic-Shift CVT (continuously variable transmission) combines the smooth, fuel-efficient performance of a CVT with a more direct driving feel of a traditional geared automatic. The key to its distinct performance feel is a physical first gear used for start-off acceleration, before handing off to the CVT’s pulley system.
For those who want to shift for themselves, the 2020 Corolla sedan offers an intriguing choice with the all-new 6-speed iMT (intelligent manual transmission). Like some premium sports cars, it features downshift rev-matching control, automatically detecting when the driver is shifting and quickly rev-matching to make any driver a stick-shift pro.
Chassis
The new body has 60% more torsional rigidity than it’s predecessor. It uses a totally new multi-load path front structure to absorb frontal collision impact forces and disperses collision energy to help prevent deformation of the occupant compartment. High-tensile steel in the rocker panel reinforcements and the upper kick panel; wider underbody side members; strengthened rear bumper reinforcements, and thicker dashboard panel, floor panels, and underbody tunnel all improve energy dispersion in the event of a collision.
The 2020 Corolla sedan now uses a multi-link rear suspension. This is a major advance over the torsion beam setup used in the previous model, more adept at comfortably absorbing bumps while also ratcheting up agility.
The MacPherson strut front suspension, totally revised for this platform, allows for smoother upward suspension travel, especially while traversing bumps, resulting in more comfortable steering feel.
Newly developed shock absorbers have been tuned to provide optimal damping force for dynamic handling and stability with exemplary ride comfort.
Safety
The 2020 Corolla sedan features eight standard airbags and Toyota’s Star Safety System, which includes Enhanced Vehicle Stability Control, Traction Control, Electronic Brake-force Distribution, Brake Assist, Anti-lock Braking System, and Smart Stop Technology. All Corolla sedan models come equipped with a standard backup camera, and Toyota Safety Sense 2.0.
Safety Sense 2.0 includes a pre-collision system, which uses a wave radar sensor and a forward-facing camera sensor to automatically activate the brakes to help avoid a collision entirely or mitigate the impact force. Dynamic radar cruise control also utilizes that wave radar sensor and camera sensor to maintain a pre-set follow distance from the preceding vehicle. Lane departure alert with steering assist provides the driver with audible and visual warnings and, if necessary, is designed to provide steering assistance if it determines the possibility of deviation from the driving lane. Lane tracing assist employs a lane centering function that is designed to make constant steering inputs to help the driver keep the vehicle in the center of its lane. Automatic high beam uses an in-vehicle camera to help detect the headlights of oncoming vehicles and taillights of preceding vehicles, then automatically switches between high and low beams as appropriate. Road sign assist is designed to recognize speed limit, “Stop,” “Yield,” and “Do Not Enter” signs and displays them on the vehicles MID to help assist the driver. Additionally, blind spot monitoring is available as an optional feature.
The 2020 Corolla will be available at dealerships Spring 2019.