2004 Toyota Corolla XRS
At last November's SEMA extravaganza, Toyota showed that at least it's been paying attention to the Corolla with the introduction of the new Corolla XRS which transplants the 1.8-liter, DOHC, VVTL-i 2ZZ four and its accompanying six-speed manual transmission from the Celica GT-S into the Corolla.
The 2ZZ mutates somewhat during its move over to the Corolla. Instead of the 180 hp and 130 lb-ft of peak torque it makes in the Celica, it'll be rated at 170 hp and 127 lb-ft in the Corolla. That's because, says Toyota, it has retuned the engine for much better mid- and low-range power production, willingly sacrificing high-rpm zing in the bargain.
Naturally, to go along with the new powerplant, the XRS also gets a more taut suspension, 16-inch wheels and tires, some sports seats, revised interior trim and fresh decoration on the outside. All XRSs will be built at Toyota's plant in Cambridge, Ontario, with sales projected at just 5,000 cars for the first year.
Rumors & Lies
* Following the Corolla XRS, Toyota may bring the European-built, very small, Yaris T-Sport as a performance leader funkmobile for Scion.
* On November 11, 2003, Honda built its 10 millionth car in the United States. It started in 1982 and hasn't stopped yet.
* Saturn has said it will double the number of vehicles in its lineup to six by the year 2007. A minivan/SUV mish-mash called the Relay due in 2005 is the only one of the new vehicles that Saturn will own up to, though a sporty two-seat convertible is rumored.
* Mitsubishi chairman Takashi Sonobe, 62, died suddenly last October 30 of heart failure.
* Mitsubishi has canceled plans for a $200 million expansion of its assembly plant in Normal, Ill.
* XM Satellite Radio, Inc. announced in late October that its subscriber base has pushed past one million users.
* Ford built its 300 millionth vehicle, a Mustang, on November 19, 2003.
* Honda is developing a "casual use" pickup truck for both its Honda and Acura divisions. Honda CEO Takeo Fukui, as quoted by "Automotive News," has said the truck would be built in volumes of about 50,000 to 60,000 units a year and the Honda and Acura models would be distinct. Expect the Acura truck to be smaller than the Honda.
* There will be no Ford Focus SVT after the 2004 model year. In fact, all of SVT is in danger of being cancelled in favor of branding such products as "Shelbys."
Mitsubishi's New WRC Weapon
On the heels of Mitsubishi's announcement that it was withdrawing support for SCCA Pro Rallying in America, came the Thanksgiving day unveiling of the car that will lead them back into WRC competition during 2004-the Lancer WRC04.
"The car is quite different from our previous World Rally Car," says Mario Fornaris, who oversaw the car's construction at Mitsubishi's Motor Sports subsidiary in Rugby, Great Britain. "We have made something like 6,000 new parts. We have taken advantage of the freedom permitted by the World Rally Car regulations, but my philosophy is to do very simple things and have a good understanding of the car before we introduce more advanced systems."
The most apparent difference with the new car is the slick bodywork that emerged from three weeks of testing in the Lola racing team's wind tunnel. The hood, fascia, fenders and, most dramatically, the rear wing are all brand new. The two elements of the rear wing are both taller and more radical than ever and are sure to be imitated throughout the world of EVO owners.
The 2-liter, DOHC, 16-valve engine is still a member of the 4G6 family of fours and still uses a cast-iron block, alloy head and turbocharger. But the engine is based on the latest version of the 4G6 used in the EVO VIII and the reciprocating assembly is significantly lighter than before. A new Garrett turbocharger breathes in through the required 34mm intake restrictor and feeds a completely new intake system. The engine feeds a new Ricardo five-speed manual (a rarity in WRC) gearbox.
The suspension consists of MacPherson struts at each corner, with Brembo brakes in charge of stopping. The Mitsu will be the only car in WRC without an active center differential. Instead, it runs an epicyclic differential.
The WRCO4 reflects the conservative approach Fornaris took with the car. Innovation isn't something they're pursuing until they've first proved they can finish races. Who knows what will come after they've accomplished that?
Pontiac Sunfire Autocross Concept
Chevy is finally going to replace the Cavalier with the all-new Cobalt this year. But Pontiac is sticking with the Cavalier's brother, the Sunfire, into at least the foreseeable future. Can the aging Sunfire remain relevant as newer compacts come out of GM and its competitors?
Pontiac's faith in the Sunfire was expressed at SEMA in the form of the Sunfire Autocross, one of five vehicles (the Grand Am, Vibe, GTO and Grand Prix were the other four) presented by the GM division modified along the same parking lot racer theme.
The Autocross uses the same supercharged 2.0-liter Ecotec engine that will be crammed into Saturn ION Red Line with some additional tweaking to heave output to 240 hp. Of course it's lowered over 18-inch wheels inside BFGoodrich T/A KD tires and the brakes have been swapped for more effective discs and calipers from Stainless Steel brakes.
Outside, the Sunfire Autocross wears a custom upper grille, one-off lower front and rear fascias, a special rear spoiler and projector beam headlights. Inside, there are "racing-inspired" front seat, aluminum pedals and the Pontiac Accessories catalog donated the "hydrographic interior trim kit in carbon fiber." It doesn't really look bad at all.
Pontiac showrooms will likely have some sort of supercharged Sunfire in them in the near future. Will that be enough to spread enthusiasm beyond the members of www.j-body.org?
With a high-speed Wi-Fi connection, it's now possible to surf the Internet on your laptop from inside your bathroom while evacuating your bowels. The magazine monopoly on throne reading matter has been broken! But let us remind you that dropping a $1,500 laptop into a toilet can be an expensive proposition and that magazines still only cost a couple of bucks and dry out after a few hours left in the sun. Think about that before the next time you want to dump-and-surf.
Meanwhile, send suggestions for Web sites we ought to feature to SCCNews@Primedia.com and be both brief and witty. We've never been able to be both at the same time, but maybe you can be.