All-new Corolla launched at Dubai show

Al-Futtaim Motors, exclusive distributors of Toyota in the UAE, launched the all-new Toyota Corolla on the opening day of this year’s Dubai International Motor Show and also unveiled the FT-86 Open Concept car. The new Corolla will be available in two engine variants: 1.6 litre and a newly introduced 2 litre engine, offering enhanced agility and performance. Jon Williams, managing director, Al-Futtaim Motors said: “Corolla accounts for 15 per cent of Toyota’s sales globally making this vehicle one of the most popular in the brand’s entire product line up. Its strong appeal is also evident in the UAE where Corolla is the second best-selling Toyota vehicle commanding 15 per cent of the brand’s total sales in the market.” “The 2014 Corolla is not an evolution, it’s a revolution. It continues Toyota’s recent direction, focusing on style and designs that appeal to youthful car buyers,” he added. Toyota has sold nearly 40 million Corollas since the model first came off the production line 47 years ago, making it the best-selling car nameplate on the planet, he noted. The Corolla is an all-new car which has been designed to deliver better driving dynamics. With a wheelbase extended by 4 inches, the car looks and feels bigger, giving more room and comfort for its occupants. FT-86 Open Concept The FT-86 Open Concept car was also unveiled for the first time in the Middle East. The FT-86 Open Concept shares the same dimensions of the Toyota 86 coupe, which was launched in the UAE in 2012, and retains the 2+2 seating format. It also utilises the same gear setup available on the Toyota 86, a six-speed manual gear shift and a six-speed automatic which has one of the world’s fastest paddle shift speeds. Toyota hybrid technology Within the confines of its wave-shaped stand, Al-Futtaim Motors also showcased Toyota’s hybrid technology featuring the popular Prius and Camry hybrids, aimed at educating visitors about the advantages of this global leading technology. In addition to a large line-up of recently launched cars, the Toyota stand also features a Le Mans racecar, a Toyota Racing USA Nascar, the modified Toyota Emirates Drifting Team’s 86 and the recently launched Yaris Sedan with a full TRD body kit. Source: TradeArabia