Toyota Corolla E70
Encyclopedia
The Corolla E70 was the fourth generation of cars sold by Toyota under the Corolla
nameplate.
The fourth-generation model released in 1979 in Japan, was boxy and was the last generation to have the entire lineup in rear-wheel-drive. Although most of the fourth generation was replaced by 1984, the station wagon
and van versions were offered into 1987. In 1980 Corolla daily production reached an all-time high, averaging 2,346 units.
This generation (apart from the wagon) got a new rear coil spring
five-link rear end with a panhard rod
, and the wheelbase was longer at 94.5 in (2400 mm). A new underwhelming 1.8 L (1770 cc/108 in³) 3T engine was optional to some markets, while parts of the world retained the old 4K. The most notable inline-four engine advancement came in 1983, however, as Toyota began offering the 1.6 L (1587 cc/96 in³) 4A-C. The aluminum head, SOHC engine, although bulkier in size and weight than the K
and T
engines it was offered alongside, was a grand step up in performance. This would be the last generation of Corollas to use any pushrod or iron cylinder head
engines, as Toyota made the decision to focus exclusively on aluminium
head
, OHC
engine design from this point forward. This was the first generation to have power steering. In the US market, this was introduced in the 1981 for the 1982 model year.
Various facelifts were made during production. In 1979-1980, a 4-round headlamp setup was used in most markets. A restyle for 1981 involved two rectangular headlamps. A more extensive facelift was given for 1982, involving wraparound headlights, remodeled taillights and new bumpers, which on some models were rubber moulded.
Design work was started in 1974 by Fumio Agetsuma. The goals he told his team were:
Japanese market engines:
North American market chassis:
Toyota Corolla
The Toyota Corolla is a line of subcompact and compact cars manufactured by the Japanese automaker Toyota, which has become very popular throughout the world since the nameplate was first introduced in 1966. In 1997, the Corolla became the best selling nameplate in the world, with over 35 million...
nameplate.
The fourth-generation model released in 1979 in Japan, was boxy and was the last generation to have the entire lineup in rear-wheel-drive. Although most of the fourth generation was replaced by 1984, the station wagon
Station wagon
A station wagon is a body style variant of a sedan/saloon with its roof extended rearward over a shared passenger/cargo volume with access at the back via a third or fifth door , instead of a trunk lid...
and van versions were offered into 1987. In 1980 Corolla daily production reached an all-time high, averaging 2,346 units.
This generation (apart from the wagon) got a new rear coil spring
Coil spring
A Coil spring, also known as a helical spring, is a mechanical device, which is typically used to store energy and subsequently release it, to absorb shock, or to maintain a force between contacting surfaces...
five-link rear end with a panhard rod
Panhard rod
A Panhard rod is a component of a car suspension system that provides lateral location of the axle...
, and the wheelbase was longer at 94.5 in (2400 mm). A new underwhelming 1.8 L (1770 cc/108 in³) 3T engine was optional to some markets, while parts of the world retained the old 4K. The most notable inline-four engine advancement came in 1983, however, as Toyota began offering the 1.6 L (1587 cc/96 in³) 4A-C. The aluminum head, SOHC engine, although bulkier in size and weight than the K
Toyota K engine
The Toyota K series was a straight-4 engine produced from 1966 through 1988. It was a 2-valve pushrod engine design, a rarity for the company....
and T
Toyota T engine
The Toyota T series is a family of inline-4 automobile engines manufactured by Toyota beginning in 1970 and ending in 1985. It started as a pushrod overhead valve design and later performance oriented twin cam variants were added to the lineup...
engines it was offered alongside, was a grand step up in performance. This would be the last generation of Corollas to use any pushrod or iron cylinder head
Cylinder head
In an internal combustion engine, the cylinder head sits above the cylinders on top of the cylinder block. It closes in the top of the cylinder, forming the combustion chamber. This joint is sealed by a head gasket...
engines, as Toyota made the decision to focus exclusively on aluminium
Aluminium
Aluminium or aluminum is a silvery white member of the boron group of chemical elements. It has the symbol Al, and its atomic number is 13. It is not soluble in water under normal circumstances....
head
Cylinder head
In an internal combustion engine, the cylinder head sits above the cylinders on top of the cylinder block. It closes in the top of the cylinder, forming the combustion chamber. This joint is sealed by a head gasket...
, OHC
Overhead camshaft
Overhead cam valvetrain configurations place the engine camshaft within the cylinder heads, above the combustion chambers, and drive the valves or lifters in a more direct manner compared to overhead valves and pushrods...
engine design from this point forward. This was the first generation to have power steering. In the US market, this was introduced in the 1981 for the 1982 model year.
Various facelifts were made during production. In 1979-1980, a 4-round headlamp setup was used in most markets. A restyle for 1981 involved two rectangular headlamps. A more extensive facelift was given for 1982, involving wraparound headlights, remodeled taillights and new bumpers, which on some models were rubber moulded.
Design work was started in 1974 by Fumio Agetsuma. The goals he told his team were:
- Quiet cars will have a definite edge. Conservation of both resources and fuel will be very important. Economy and value will also carry considerable weight.
- Our new Corolla must be as aerodynamically perfect as the parameters allow. It must be comfortable, with enough interior room to move about in. It will need all the modern features that future customers will want as well.
- Corolla must change. But we should never destroy the popular base upon which Corolla sales are built. Our new car must reflect the wishes of the consumer, the ordinary people who drive Corollas.
- There should be no generation gap with Corolla. It should appeal to young and old alike. Corolla must also transcend national boundaries. It must perform as well in sub-zero temperatures as it does in the tropics or in the heat of the deserts of the world. Above all, Corolla must be a car that pleases.
- Corolla has an illustrious tradition. Now, let us build our new Corolla on that tradition, the kind of new Corolla we know the drivers of the world will expect.
Japan
In Japan, the Corolla was offered in all body styles: 2 door Sedan, 4 door Sedan, 2 door Hardtop, 3 door Coupe, 3 door Liftback, Wagon, and Van.Japanese market engines:
- 4K-U — 1.3 L (1290 cc) I4, 8-valve Pushrod, carbCarburetorA carburetor , carburettor, or carburetter is a device that blends air and fuel for an internal combustion engine. It is sometimes shortened to carb in North America and the United Kingdom....
, 74 hp - 5K-C — 1.5 L (1495 cc) I4, 8-valve Pushrod, carbCarburetorA carburetor , carburettor, or carburetter is a device that blends air and fuel for an internal combustion engine. It is sometimes shortened to carb in North America and the United Kingdom....
- 3A-U — 1.5 L (1490 cc) I4, 8-valve SOHC, carbCarburetorA carburetor , carburettor, or carburetter is a device that blends air and fuel for an internal combustion engine. It is sometimes shortened to carb in North America and the United Kingdom....
, 80 hp - 2T-GEU — 1.6 L (1587 cc) I4, 8-valve DOHC, EFIFuel injectionFuel injection is a system for admitting fuel into an internal combustion engine. It has become the primary fuel delivery system used in automotive petrol engines, having almost completely replaced carburetors in the late 1980s....
, 115 hp
North America
North American market engines:- 3T-C — 1.8 L (1770 cc) I4, 8-valve Pushrod, carbCarburetorA carburetor , carburettor, or carburetter is a device that blends air and fuel for an internal combustion engine. It is sometimes shortened to carb in North America and the United Kingdom....
, 75 hp (56 kW) - 4A-C — 1.6 L (1587 cc) I4, 8-valve SOHC, carbCarburetorA carburetor , carburettor, or carburetter is a device that blends air and fuel for an internal combustion engine. It is sometimes shortened to carb in North America and the United Kingdom....
, 90 hp (67 kW)
North American market chassis:
- E-71 — Sedan, 2-door/4-door (Std, DX)
- E-71 — WagonWagonA wagon is a heavy four-wheeled vehicle pulled by draught animals; it was formerly often called a wain, and if low and sideless may be called a dray, trolley or float....
, 5-door (Std, DX) - E-71 — HardtopHardtopA hardtop is a term for a rigid, rather than canvas, automobile roof. It has been used in several contexts: detachable hardtops, retractable hardtop roofs, and the so-called pillarless hardtop body style....
, 2-door (SR5) - E-71 — Sports Coupe, 2-door (SR5)
- E-71 — Liftback, 3-door (Std, SR5)
- E-72 — Sedan, 5-door (Std, DX)
- E-72 — WagonWagonA wagon is a heavy four-wheeled vehicle pulled by draught animals; it was formerly often called a wain, and if low and sideless may be called a dray, trolley or float....
(Std, DX) - E-72 — Sports coupé 2-door (Std, SR5)
- E-72 — Liftback, 3-door (Std, SR5)
- E-72 - HardtopHardtopA hardtop is a term for a rigid, rather than canvas, automobile roof. It has been used in several contexts: detachable hardtops, retractable hardtop roofs, and the so-called pillarless hardtop body style....
, 2-door (Std, SR5) - E-75 - HardtopHardtopA hardtop is a term for a rigid, rather than canvas, automobile roof. It has been used in several contexts: detachable hardtops, retractable hardtop roofs, and the so-called pillarless hardtop body style....
, 2-door (SR5) - E-75 — Sports Coupe, 2-door (SR5)
- E-75 — Liftback, 3-door (Std, SR5)
Australia
Australian market engines:- 4K-C — 1.3 L (1290 cc) I4, 8-valve Pushrod, carbCarburetorA carburetor , carburettor, or carburetter is a device that blends air and fuel for an internal combustion engine. It is sometimes shortened to carb in North America and the United Kingdom....
, 65 hp - 4A-C — 1.6 L (1587 cc) I4, 8-valve SOHC, carbCarburetorA carburetor , carburettor, or carburetter is a device that blends air and fuel for an internal combustion engine. It is sometimes shortened to carb in North America and the United Kingdom....
, 78 hp (58 kW)