The all-new Toyota Corolla XRS sport sedan
made its world premiere at a press conference today at the 2003 Specialty Equipment
Marketing Association (SEMA) Show. The press conference also featured the unveiling
of the Toyota Tundra racing V8 engine that will power the new Tundra race truck
next year in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series.
The Corolla XRS will feature a newly tuned version of Toyota's 2ZZ dual overhead
cam engine and six-speed manual transmission found in both the Celica GT-S and
Corolla Matrix XRS. The increase in power will be complemented by improved ride
and handling, thanks to a sport-tuned suspension and new steering improvements.
"With the popularity of the sporty Corolla S, the logical next step was
to match its youthful styling with a performance-driven powertrain," said
Don Esmond, Toyota Division senior vice president and general manager. "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."
The new Corolla XRS will be powered by a 1.8-liter four-cylinder DOHC engine
that produces 170 horsepower and 127 pounds of torque. The engine will deliver
a broader and stronger mid-range torque than the previous versions of the 2ZZ
engine. And, it will feature a VVTL-i variable valve timing and lift system
that produces a supercharged-like rise in power from 6,000 to 7,800 RPM. The
result is a compact sport sedan that blends sub-eight-second zero-to-sixty acceleration
with exceptional throttle response throughout its broad power band.
Despite the increase in power, fuel economy is hardly compromised with initial
estimates of 25 miles-per-gallon in the city and 32 on the highway.
The XRS features a sport-tuned suspension that includes a front connecting
rod damper developed by Yamaha. The damper is mounted between the shock towers
to produce improved ride and handling without compromising NVH. In addition
to the performance damper, the XRS features increased rate coil springs and
shocks on all four wheels for improved roll and pitch, and a ride height that
is lower by a full half-inch.
The suspension stands on larger 16-inch aluminum alloy wheels and Michelin performance
tires, an upgrade from the standard 15-inch wheels on all other Corolla grades.
It is complemented by a steering system that features a more rigid steering
column, producing less vibration and improved response. A power steering rack
specially developed for the XRS allows for better steering feedback.
The improved performance of the Corolla XRS is accompanied by performance-themed
convenience enhancements including sport seats, color-keyed bezel surrounding
the grille, silver-colored center cluster and switch plates, a leather-like
shift boot with a leather shift knob, and unique badging.
The Corolla XRS will be built at Toyota Motor Manufacturing, Canada (TMMC)
in Cambridge, Ontario alongside the Matrix. It will reach dealerships on May
1st of next year. Annual sales of the XRS are projected at approximately 5,000
units.
The SEMA Show unveiling of the Tundra Racing V8 for the Toyota Tundra race
truck represents one of the most critical steps in Toyota's journey to NASCAR's
victory lane. It follows a historic press conference at the 2003 Chicago Auto
Show where Toyota first rolled out a race-prepared Tundra pickup to formally
announce its plans to begin participation in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series.
"Once we had our truck, the next phase in its development was to create
an engine capable of achieving success in this competitive racing series,"
said Dave Illingworth, senior vice president, chief planning and administrative
officer for Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A. (TRD).
The normally aspirated, Tundra Racing V8 engine was designed entirely in America
by Toyota Racing Development. TRD's technical capabilities came to the forefront
as they designed and produced "from a clean sheet of paper," an overhead
valve racing engine in a remarkably short period of time. The engine design
focused on high quality, performance, lightweight, reliability, and ease of
manufacture.
Measuring 358 cubic inches of displacement, the V8 is capable of producing
up to 650 horsepower. The cast aluminum cylinder head and cast iron cylinder
block both use a computer-optimized cooling system. The engine is also equipped
with forged aluminum pistons, forged steel connecting rods, and a high strength
billet steel crankshaft. Its fuel pump and exhaust were each developed by TRD.
The engine's Craftsman Series debut will take place at historic Daytona International
Speedway in February 2004 where it will be represented by at least six American-built
Tundra race trucks.
Team affiliations will be determined soon. TRD will design, develop, and build
the Craftsman Truck Tundra V8 to NASCAR specifications in its Costa Mesa, Calif.,
facility.
Toyota has been in the business of selling pickup trucks in this country for
nearly 40 years. Since 1991 Toyota's compact pickups have been manufactured
at its NUMMI plant in Fremont, California. Toyota has assembled the full-size
Tundra pickup exclusively at its Princeton, Ind. plant since its debut in 1999.
Toyota's commitment to building trucks continues to grow as witnessed by the
recent groundbreaking of its newest truck plant in San Antonio, Texas.
"With Toyota's ongoing commitment to build American trucks for the American
truck buyer it made sense to become involved with a true form of American racing,"
said Illingworth. "From an Americanization as well as a marketing perspective,
choosing NASCAR was a no-brainer."
Toyota's entry into the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series further extends the manufacturer's
rich auto-racing history. Over the last 20 years, Toyota has won championships
in a variety of high-level racing series including CART, IMSA, MTEG, SCORE,
CORR, Pikes Peak, as well as NHRA import drag racing and various SCCA classes.
Since 2000, Toyota has competed in the NASCAR Goody's Dash Series. The V6-powered
Toyota Celica's victory at Kentucky in 2001 was the first by an overhead-cam,
multi-valve engine in NASCAR history.
