Toyota Corolla Furia Concept

Author: B.Keeler

At the Detroit International Auto Show this week, Toyota unveiled its Furia Concept. The Furia is said to be the next-generation Toyota Corolla. All I can say it is about time!

The current Toyota Corolla has been with us since January of 2008, and it shows. All the other vehicles in this segment are either new like the Chevrolet Cruze or completely redesigned like the Hyundai Elantra.

Toyota Corolla Furia Concept Front

The fact that the Corolla is dated does not limit itself to simple aesthetics, although it is quite boring and easily lost in a parking lot. The mechanics are also very dated. Competitors have upgraded their offering to have six-speed automatic transmissions. 

While the Corolla makes do with a 4-speed automatic, even with transmission from the time of Jesus, you still get 34 miles per gallon on the highway.

Mechanical details about the Furia are unknown at this time. Expect to see updates to the current engine and a six-speed transmission, to bring it on par with the competition.

“The Corolla Furia Concept is an early indicator of where our compact car design may lead in the future,” said Bill Fay, group vice president and general manager of the Toyota Division. “It blends a heightened emphasis on dramatic design and modern elements of high technology to generate curb appeal that will surprise a lot of people.”

Toyota Corolla Furia Concept Rear

Personally, I am not a fan of Toyota’s new design language. They take conservatively designed cars and modernize them to the point of ruin.

The Furia concept is a complete departure from the current mundane Corolla. The Furia takes a aggressive stance thanks to the flared wheel arches and character lines.

At the front, the headlights sit like snake eyes under an angry brow. The gapping radiator grill makes it look more like a crying baby than a macho little sports sedan, in my opinion.

At the back more angry looking lights that work here and add to the aggressive feel, thanks to a rear skid plate on the bumper. Adding to the overall appearance of the Furia are some random, but well placed bits of carbon fiber and LED running lamps.

Toyota Corolla Axio JDM

Overall, this looks like the freshly re-designed Toyota Avalon that sort of shrunk in the wash, and that’s a good thing because it makes you look like you have more money than you actually have.

Will the next Toyota Corolla look like this? No one can say for sure at this point. However, if I were a betting man, I would say production version will look something more like the Japanese market Corolla Axio.

My opinion is that the Axio is a better-looking car and will appeal much better to the traditional Corolla buyer.

Sources:

http://pressroom.toyota.com/releases/2013+toyota+corolla+product+specs.htm

http://pressroom.toyota.com/releases/2013+detroit+auto+show+toyota+corolla+furia+concept+jan14.htm

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toyota_Corolla_(E140)

http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/Find.do?action=sbs&id=32950&id=32545&id=32252&id=32916

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E80CtGhsom8

http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:TOYOTA_COROLLA_AXIO_E160_01.JPG