Corolla Edge special comes to life

TOYOTA Australia has revealed details of its limited-edition Edge Corolla, which is aimed at bolstering its position as the nation’s biggest-selling small car – and the number-one seller across the board in Australia for the past two months.

Although pricing details were first disclosed to GoAuto eight weeks ago, Toyota has waited until now to confirm that the Edge edition of the Corolla hatch will feature body adornments – including a large rear spoiler and side skirts – and unique 16-inch alloy wheels with a “blade” design and 205/55-section tyres.

The Edge treatment also includes front foglamps, rear mudguards, unique carpet mats, a six-stack CD stereo (with LCD display) and Bluetooth mobile phone and audio streaming capability.

As GoAuto reported in July, the Edge Corolla is priced from $22,240 in six-speed manual form, with the four-speed automatic transmission option adding $2000. This represents a $750 increase over the list price of the entry-level 100kW 1.8-litre Ascent hatch upon which it is based.

The Edge treatment is unavailable on the Corolla sedan, but joins the Yaris light car and RAV4 compact SUV as a familiar, albeit limited, addition to the range.

Standard features across the Corolla range include dual front airbags, ABS brakes with EBD and air-conditioning. Electronic stability control is now available as part of a $1500 safety pack, which also includes extra airbags (curtain, front side and driver knee airbags), traction control, a trip computer and LED dashboard illumination.

According to VFACTS figures released today, the Corolla outsold the Holden Commodore for the second month in a row in August.

The feat prompted Toyota Australia to issue a press release proclaiming that more Australians have bought a Corolla than any other new vehicle this financial year, with 7550 sales over the past two months – 365 ahead of Commodore, which is a difference of more than five per cent.

It did not point out that the 3659 figure for August was 6.3 per cent down on the corresponding month in 2008, and that year-to-date (via the calendar) the Corolla is down a significant 23.4 per cent with 25,123 sales. Holden has sold 28,772 Commodores YTD.

The Corolla is well ahead of its nearest competitors in raw sales terms, but, interestingly, the second-placed Mazda3 has defied the industry trend to be 3.9 per cent up YTD, while the rapidly rising Hyundai i30 is up a phenomenal 145.1 per cent. Holden’s Cruze is also making a significant impact in the segment, along with the Mitsubishi Lancer.