Toyota Corolla (E110)

Corolla Levin 1.6 BZ-R

Corolla Levin

1997–2000 Corolla saloon (Japan)

Toyota Sprinter Carib (Japan)

This was the last Corolla generation to have an equivalent Sprinter model, and the Levin sports package upgrade. The Sprinter Carib wagon was identical to the European Corolla wagon and was only available in Japan as a Sprinter. The previous generation E104 Corolla Touring Wagon continued to be sold alongside it. The Sprinter, exclusive to Toyota Auto Store Japanese dealerships was renamed the Toyota Allex and was modified from a sedan to four-door hatchback.

Japanese models received minor changes in April 1997 with new nose, tail and interior. The rear panel is totally different, therefore the trunk and tail lights are not interchangeable between the old and facelift models. The new Japanese rear panel is the same as the European model. Japanese models were replaced by the E120 in 2000.

Japanese market engines:

• 4E-FE – 1.3 L (1331 cc) I4, 16-valve DOHC, FI, 88 ps (64 kW)
• 5A-FE – 1.5 L (1498 cc) I4, 16-valve DOHC, FI, 100 ps (73 kW)
• 4A-FE – 1.6 L (1587 cc) I4, 16-valve DOHC, FI, 115 ps (84 kW)
• 4A-GE – 1.6 L (1587 cc) I4, 20-valve DOHC, FI, 165 ps (121 kW)
• 2C-III – 2.0 L (1974 cc) I4, diesel, FI, 73 ps (53 kW)
• 3C-E – 2.2 L (2184 cc) I4, diesel, EFi, 79 ps (58 kW)

Japanese market chassis:

• E111 – Sedan, coupé, wagon SE-G, S-Cruise, GT, Spacio, Sprinter Carib (FWD), Levin
• E110 – Sedan LX, XE, SE Limited, Levin
• E114 – 4WD Wagon Sprinter Carib
• E115 – 4WD sedan

Corolla VE (North America; pre-facelift)

Corolla S (North America; facelift)

Interior (North America)

Introduced in 1997 (1998 model year), all Corollas for the North American market were built in Fremont, California (by NUMMI) or Cambridge, Ontario (by TMMC). Unlike the Japanese counterparts, the North American Corolla at this time was only offered as a four-door compact sedan. A new all-aluminum 1ZZ-FE engine powered all Corollas, making this generation lighter than its predecessor. This new engine uses a timing chain instead of a timing belt. It also incorporated laser etched valve guides directly in the block, rather than the old shrink to fit valve guides in the predecessor Corolla motor (4A-FE & 7A-FE). This prevents oil burning and valve guide failure in the future.

In North America, only sedans were offered, and all came with day-time running lights. This Corolla has a maximum legal carrying capacity of 1,500 lb (680 kg). Grades were VE, CE and LE. The VE model was the base model available in a 3 speed automatic or the 5 speed manual transmission with 175/65R14 tires. The CE model offered either the 4 speed automatic with overdrive or the 5 speed manual transmission, while the LE offered the 4-speed automatic, but both offered 185/65R14 tires. An optional powered sunroof was offered on the CE and LE models. An optional Touring Package with color matched side skirts, color matched rear mudflaps, a white faced instrument cluster with tachometer and outside temperature gauge, and aluminum wheels was reserved for the VE, CE and LE models. Side airbags and ABS were optional for the CE and LE models, but very few of them actually had them. The first batch of 1998 Corolla VE's did not have a front sway bar but by June 1998 it was included on all models. VVT-i variable valve timing and individual coils for each cylinder were added to the engine in model year 2000 with a small increase in power from 120 hp (89 kW) to 125 hp (93 kW) along with child seat anchors added on the rear deck. The introduced VVT-i optimizes cam and valve timing to reduce emissions, and the addition of individual coils for each cylinder helped control spark timing to each individual cylinder.

For the 2001 US model year (2000 calendar year), the VE was replaced by a new S model. The CE now became a base model still offered in 5 speed manual or 3 speed automatic transmission and the sporty S served as the new Touring Package which can be had with a 5 speed manual or 4 speed automatic transmission. The 2001 model year also got a slight refresh with the new front headlights/corner lights, redesigned front bumper, auxiliary DC power port with a higher armrest (LE and S models), inside trunk release for accidental lockouts in the trunk, new controls for the air conditioner that had the rear glass defrost button relocated with a button for the recirculation of air, and round reverse lights. The 'sportiness' of the S model built upon the VE models with a gauge cluster with tachometer in a red/black theme with an outside temperature gauge, the lighter-weight 3-spoke steering wheel as used in the Toyota Celica of the same model year, a charcoal gray and black interior with lighter seats, standard front fog lamps, color matched side skirts, color matched rear mudflaps, color matched door handles and side mirrors, a color matched front grill, a trunk release lever next to the gasoline cap door lever (but not on the remote fob), a trunk light, 14" 'S' model wheel covers, and lighted map lights on the rear view mirror. The S model lacked the 60/40 folding rear seat, power mirrors, reading lamps or tilt steering found in the LE model, in order to maintain a very small weight difference over the VE model it replaced. As such, no sunroof option was available on the S models. The 'S' model had very minimal if any performance advantage over the other models, outside of slightly larger tires, and a slightly stiffened rear suspension, for a minor improvement in handling: it was mainly a styling and appearance package. The 2002 model year was short and was only produced until the end of 2001 to make way for the redesigned model which launched in early 2002 for the 2003 model year.

Toyota official accessories available through dealerships for all trim levels of the eighth generation Corolla included a color-coded rear spoiler with LED brake light, front bumper bar, 6 disc CD changer, sunroof sunshade, trunk cargo net, keyless entry car alarm, cruise control, gold emblem kit, wood trim dash kit, and black rubber mudflaps.

North American market engines:

• 1998–1999 – 1ZZ-FE, 1.8 L (1794 cc) I4, 16-valve DOHC, FI, 120 hp (89 kW) @ 5600 rpm, 165 nm (122 ft•lbf.) @ 4400 rpm
• 2000–2002 – 1ZZ-FE, 1.8 L (1794 cc) I4, 16-valve DOHC, FI, VVT-i, 125 hp (93 kW) @ 5800 rpm, 169.5 nm (125 ft•lbf.) @ 4000 rpm

Corolla Sportif liftback (United Kingdom; pre-facelift)

Corolla sedan (Australia; facelift)

3-door hatchback (United Kingdom; pre-facelift)

Wagon version (Germany; pre-facelift)

Corolla Ascent liftback (Australia; facelift)

This range had different front and rear ends to the Japanese models, though the sides and interior remained mostly the same. It can be distinguished by the round headlights and mesh grille. As a result, a sporting model with a six-speed gearbox was offered. The European three door hatchback is the base for the Corolla World Rally Car (WRC) that competed in the World Rally Championship from 1997 to 2000.

In Australia, the Corolla liftback is called Seca. Grades for sedan and Seca are Ascent, Conquest, and Ultima. New Zealand market E110s had the 1.3 L 4E, the 1.5 L 5A-FE, 1.6 L 4A-FE, 1.8 L 7A-FE petrol engines or the 2.2-litre 3C-E diesel engine as of 2000,[3] whereas Australia only offered the 7A-FE, with a unique turbocharged Sportivo model offered in 2001. In 1997, the Corolla Spacio, with its body panels stamped at long-time Toyota supplier Kanto Autoworks, was introduced as a two-box minivan version and sold as the Corolla Verso, which was technically similar to the Avensis in Europe and the Spacio in New Zealand. The E110 was the last generation of Corolla to have an upmarket Sprinter Carib offshoot; for Oceania this was based on the five-door station wagon. The 3-door hatchback was not sold in Japan, Australia or New Zealand.

In New Zealand, until late 1998, CKD kits were brought in from Japan and assembled in plants located in Thames and Christchurch. Locally produced components were also used, and included items such as tyres, seats, trims, and glass.

In the United Kingdom, the models were 1.3 and 1.6 GS, 1.6 GLS, 1.6 CD, 1.6 SR and 2.0D GS.

This generation received a facelift in 1999, featuring a different hood, fenders, headlights, turnlights, grills, front bumper and the new ZZ series engines with VVT-i replacing the old A series engines, except in Australia. The facelift also saw Toyota's own 2.0 diesel unit being replaced by a Peugeot-sourced 1.9-liter naturally-aspirated diesel.

The new "facelift" E110 (ZZE1xx) came with its own new set of optional extras which included: Front Foglights, Plastic Front Lip, Red & Black Interior (Same seat shape as other models), OEM 15" Alloy Wheels (Choice of Style), Sunroof, Aluminium Pedals, 6 CD Changer and built-in on-board computer head unit.

• Toyota Corolla WRC

Bibliography

• Matthew-Wilson, Clive (ed). The Dog and Lemon Guide: 2010 Edition. Auckland, New Zealand: Publications (2008) Ltd., 2010.
• Randall, Martynn. Toyota Corolla Owners Workshop Manual: 1998–2000; Saloon, Hatchback, Liftback & Estate, including special/limited editions, 1.3 litre (1332cc), 1.4 litre (1398cc) & 1.6 litre (1587cc & 1598cc) petrol. Sparkford, Yeovil, Somerset, UK: Haynes Publishing, 2006. ISBN 1-84425-286-8

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Toyota Corolla (E110).

• TRD USA Page
• 8th Gen Corolla Fan Page
• TRD Forums Org