2004 Toyota Corolla Review

Specifications

Pumped-Up Sedan Might Be Ultimate Sleeper

Every November the Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) rolls into Las Vegas, Nevada. Everything from individual aftermarket parts to factory-built concept cars are on display, plus a hodgepodge of boombox imports tuned to the rafters with the very same aftermarket parts that are on display.

Amid the madness, conservative automaker Toyota is featuring something very special. An average looking Corolla sedan, featuring little more than subtle ground effects, fog lamps, a small rear decklid spoiler, a color-keyed grille surround with a black mesh insert, and 5-spoke alloy wheels, to set it apart from regular Corollas.

The special edition Toyota, tagged with the XRS moniker, features a slightly detuned 170-hp version of the brands normally 180-hp 2ZZ dual overhead cam Celica GT-S and Matrix XRS engine, a 1.8-L VVTL-i 4-cylinder featuring 127 lb-ft of torque, mated to a 6-speed manual transmission.

If youve never experienced a Toyota featuring the VVTL-i variable valve timing and lift system, it feels much like a supercharger kicking in when it hits around 6,000 rpm. If the revs are kept high the new models zero to 60 mph times are expected to be brisk, all the while offering fuel economy in the 25 mpg city, 32 mpg highway range - if driven with slightly less verve mind you. Considering its outward appearances, the new XRS just might be the ultimate bargain basement sleeper available.

During the launch proceedings, Toyota Division senior vice president and general manager Don Esmond commented, “With the popularity of the sporty Corolla S, the logical next step was to match its youthful styling with a performance-driven powertrain.” He continued, “We expect the XRS to follow the course started by the S grade by appealing to younger customers, with an increase in single male buyers.”

Well of course its the logical next step. I, along with thousands of auto journalist comrades, have been teasing readers about the prospect since the hot Celica GT-S engine became available. Doing a re-and-re on the Corolla seems like a lot less work to attract younger clientele than starting an entirely new brand, Scion being the brand in question. But I digress.

Theres actually quite a bit more Toyota has done to its Corolla to make it worthy of the XRS nameplate. Part of its appeal is a sport-tuned suspension with a front connecting rod damper developed by motorcycle (and almost everything else) manufacturer Yamaha. Mounted between the front shock towers, the damper is said to enhance the XRS ride and handling while keeping noise, vibration and harshness (NVH) levels at bay. The XRS ride height has been lowered by half an inch while each corner features increased rate coil springs and shocks to improve roll and pitch.

The new model sports a stiffer steering column, reportedly reducing vibration and benefiting response to input, plus a specially tuned power steering rack for improved feedback. Finishing off the handling package are slightly larger diameter alloy rims, from 15-inches to 16, wrapped in lower profile Michelin performance performance rubber.

Inside, the XRS features two-tone well-bolstered sport seats, silver-finish dash and console accents, white-face instruments featuring a modified tachometer boasting a 6,500 rpm redline, a leatherette shift boot below a leather and chrome covered shift knob, as well as XRS badging. Only the Volkswagen Golf comes close to the Corollas quality of materials and superb fit and finish, which should win over import enthusiasts who normally take notice of such details.

Unlike the majority of SEMA show cars that never see the light of day, Toyota is planning on building approximately 5,000 XRS models during the 2004 model year. Considering the Corollas aforementioned build quality and best-in-class reputation for reliability and owner satisfaction, 5,000 units hardly seems sufficient.

Despite being built by Toyota Motor Manufacturing, Canada (TMMC) in Cambridge, Ontario alongside the Matrix crossover, Toyota Canada (TCI) has not announced whether the XRS will stay north of the border for Canadian consumption. May 1st is the target date for U.S. dealerships.

In the end the Corolla XRS will go a long way to boosting the brands performance image, and effectually help to sell more CE, S and LE models to youth buyers as well.