New 2004 Toyota Corolla Altis
It’s been almost 40 years since the Toyota Corolla appeared and provided motorists around the world with personal transportation that is reliable, durable, economical and great value for money. In that time, the world has changed so much but the Corolla has remained true to its core values.
Each new generation has brought with it higher standards and usually kept the model as a benchmark of quality as well. In fact, last year, the Corolla was found to be the leader in the mid-size category in the first-ever Initial Quality Study for Malaysia conducted by JD Power, a research company which has been conducting such studies since the 1970s and is highly respected in the automotive industry.
For 2004, the Corolla Altis has received a number of cosmetic changes and upgrades which include a new and stylish front end which has a wider look with the new horizontally-slatted radiator grille. The front bumper’s air-scoop has also restyled to give a wider appearance and new foglamps are fitted at the extremities.
The rear lamps which have given the Corolla Altis a distinctive appearance now use LEDs (light-emitting diodes) instead of conventional incandescent bulbs. LEDs illuminate faster than conventional bulbs, thus alerting motorists behind more quickly when the driver is braking. They also consume less electrical power and are more durable.
New lightweight alloy wheel designs for the Corolla Altis 1.6E and 1.8G also differentiate the 2004 version from last year’s model. These have a one-inch larger diameter (16 inches for the 1.8G and 15 inches for the 1.6E) and are fitted with lower-profile tyres. On the Corolla Altis 1.6E, the new tyre size is 195/60R15 while the Corolla Altis 1.8G has a tyre size of 195/55R16.
Inside the 2004 Corolla Altis, the spacious cabin has received some changes for an extra touch of class. The Corolla Altis 1.6E now has wood trim at the base of the 4-speed ECT automatic transmission shift lever as well as on the driver’s power window control panel. The air-conditioning system has also been upgraded and offers the convenience of pushbutton operation and automatic climate control.
The 2004 Corolla Altis 1.8G sports a new shift lever knob for its Super ECT automatic transmission which now has a combination of wood and leather. A darker shade is also used for the centre console wood trim, giving a more luxurious appearance. And for the driver’s convenience, seat adjustments no longer need to be done manually – an 8-way power adjustment is now standard.
No changes are mentioned for the powertrain or chassis although, like all manufacturers, there will have been small running changes made here and there. This would be in line with the philosophy of kaizen, which is Japanese for ‘constant improvement’.
Prices for the new 2004 Toyota Corolla Altis are RM106,568 for the 1.6E version and RM119,226 for the 1.8G (inclusive of insurance and roadtax, metallic finish).
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