TOYOTA

Corolla TTE Compressor: the Japanese sports car with a turbocharged engine derived from the Corolla T Sport

The truth is that it was a model that fit the brand well because it succeeded the Toyota Corolla T Sport, but it had some improvements that relaunched the top of the Corolla line in 2006 - depending on the market, the model arrived in November 2005.

It was a difficult model to justify and despite its high standard equipment, its price a little over 33,500 euros set it apart from models of the size of the SEAT León 1.8 VT CUPRA R with 225 hp that was 7,000 euros cheaper, of the Golf GTI FSI. of 200 hp which was 6,000 euros cheaper and the Renault Mégane 2.0 T RS which was 5,000 euros cheaper. The car that perhaps lived up to the Japanese model - in terms of price - was the Alfa Romeo 147 GTA, which was still just over 1,000 euros cheaper.

Developed by Toyota Motorsport GmbH, the Toyota Corolla TTE Compressor was one of the sportiest versions of the brand in Europe and depending on the anti-pollution approval it adopted, it could offer 218 or 225 hp for just over 33,500 euros.

Increasingly strict emission standards marked the end of the road for production of the fast Toyota Corolla T Sport, but its reputation as a sports car was kept alive thanks to the introduction of a faster, more powerful Corolla with better dynamics and presence.

The most recommendable Toyota Corolla TTE Compressor units were those that delivered 225 hp at 8,000 rpm, as well as 230 Nm of maximum torque at 3,600 rpm. Versions that met the Euro 4 standard were slightly less powerful and generated 218 hp at 8,200 rpm and 215 Nm of torque at 4,000 rpm.

As we mentioned before, the Toyota Corolla TTE Compressor was equipped with a 1.8 VVTL-i engine to which a volumetric compressor had been incorporated. This change made the engine of the model in question not look like a conventional naturally aspirated engine, because in addition to having a very wide usage regime, this range of usage was full of power from very low revs.

The Toyota Corolla TTE Compressor used the same 1,794cc, 4-cylinder VVTL-i engine as the Toyota Corolla T Sport, but with an interesting addition, a compressor designed to boost power up to 225hp.

These measures helped to reduce the acceleration time from 0 to 100 km/h by one and a half seconds, which could be covered in 6.9 seconds.

Thanks to the extra torque at lower engine speeds - a maximum of 215 Nm at 4,000 rpm - the Toyota Corolla TTE Compressor offered extremely flexible performance and interesting recoveries, although it was far from its rivals and was more expensive.

Inside, the model had a new leather-lined steering wheel, a new gearshift lever, a new handbrake and metal pedals.

To cope with the increase in power, the Toyota Corolla TTE Compressor was equipped with a sports suspension that lowered the model's height by 15 mm and springs adjusted for better performance. The model improved its aesthetics thanks to a specific aerodynamic kit and 17-inch alloy wheels with 215/45 tires. To finish off the model, Toyota equipped a sports exhaust system with dual exhaust pipes that endowed the model with an unmistakable sound. In the dynamic part, it is also worth mentioning the presence of front and rear bars.

Both the improvements in mechanics and in the powertrain offered a Toyota Corolla with a more marked sporty character, although it was not so radical, its suspensions being quite comfortable and its steering harder, but not as sporty or direct.

The Toyota Corolla TTE Compressor had stability control and traction control as standard, the latter being the only one that could be disconnected.

The seats were sportier than the conventional diesel and petrol versions, but were the same as those fitted to the T Sport trim. The top of the line had very high equipment, with elements such as the navigator with touch screen, the climate control and the electric and thermal mirrors.

These days in Europe you can find used copies of this trusty Japanese beast for prices between 9,000 and 13,000 euros, depending on the state of the car and the country, although its exclusivity and age make it difficult to find immaculate models worth paying these values ​​for.

Autonews