Salams!
A couple of months ago, and before there were any concise news of a "make over" of Corolla Altis, the options before me in the market were either a Corolla Gli or - as I intended, a fully loaded local car - the Honda Civic VTI Oriel, MT.
The choice was a hard one to make, as it usually is, when new models are about to land in the market, or the present ones are up for some cosmetics, and though I was fully inclined towards the Honda VTI Oriel, I just thought that 7 years life of a model without any changes was a bit too long and that the next generation Civic would be around the corner soon, hence not a viable choice.
This left me with a single alternative in local cars, the Corolla 1.3 GLI. I settled for it for a couple of days and right when I was about to enter the final deal, the news was out about a change in Corolla Altis from 1.8 to a 1.6 version. The issue was just the official launch which had been delayed since long, so I decided to wait for about 10 days, as it was expected to be launched soon. My major concern was the 1.3L engine of the GLI version, which I've never really felt comfortable about, with the impression, right or wrong, that it may be a bit too "under-powered" for my requirements and specifically for this size of a saloon.
The Altis 2011 1.6 MT/SR was finally booked on June 11 and delivered some 10 days ago, hence in about 2 months time. Let me use the opportunity to thank Khuram Aziz and Mubeen Shahid bros for some kind interaction here in the days running up to my booking of the vehicle, and the kind advice on my queries, appreciated! I'd have regretted the GLI purchase today, no doubts, with this Altis hitting the roads.
The Altis has been around for long enough, but just some highlights on the changes/added features of the 2011 new version:
1) 1,6L Engine
2) Dual VVTI engine ( Advertised as 12% more fuel efficient).
3) 6 forward gears in MT/SR. (Further fuel efficiency)
4) Automatic Wiper activation/Rain sensing wiper speed regularization
5) Change in color of "wooden" panels.
I do not know, if past Altis had automated retraction of side mirrors, yet this one does have.
Furthermore, there's a "tracer alarm" button in the keyless entry keys, to locate your "lost" vehicle in the parking lot.
And before I venture on with some personal experiences of this ride, first some pics of the " sesky" beauty:
Maiden Home-wash:
During Wash:
Engine Bay ( Unwashed at 900Kms!!!):
Trunk:
Door Control Panel:
Gear Lever and the popular 6.th forward:
Auxillary/Cabin lights: (Note top of windscreen, default green tinted)
Retractable Side Mirror controls/ Illuminated key assembly:
Bluetooth Mic:
Sunroof Control buttons:
Console:
Pioneer BT 3350 DVD player:
Instrument panel:
" Remaining fuel Range info Meter":
Before waxing:
Polished at home:
Rear View:
Front view:
And The" BulBul ":
And Good Night, see you tomorrow!
Since the stock tires wouldn't sell at above 12K's, I ultimately decided, better "wear them off" for a couple of grand kms and still sell at 6K's or the like, a couple of months later. Inshallah, a quatro of Yoko's will be added soon.
The BT 3350 DVD touch screen player, a Pioneer Subwoofer, a Zen amp were added from F-10. Speakers are Pioneer 6980 from past car, and working fine. I may upgrade here as well. The system, apart from the speakers, was availed at 46-47K's, HU at 32K's:
The BT 3350 bluetooth phoning is of excellent audio quality, both to the caller and the receiver.
Perhaps not much of a set up for the "muzik freaks" around, but for a family man like myself, well, it suffices beyond needs and with excellent, crystal clear audio/video output.
Added a rear view camera as well and wires for a second camera (Front) in advance, as to not having to re-open the console again.
The missing ECU cover was a headache only until I checked that even after 900Kms drive, inclusive of dusty GT road journeys, the engine is doing well without a wash, as you can see per above pics. No engine wash still! The Indus people really did something good about the hood, it's almost dust-proof!
The automatic wipers worked perfectly, when tested at the car wash.
The rims in alloy are traditional Indus design, I intend to keep them.
The info meter really helps during drive to control fuel consumption, by displaying current consumption digitally during the cruise, as well as displaying average consumption after each fare. You happen to change transmission more often as to save on the fuel.
The range meter displaying further drive-able distance is pretty helpful in not letting you run out dry, asking for a hike, gallon in hands, lolz! Excellent.
The drive is very smooth n' light, one of the best I've had in local cars ever, the ABS'ers are perfect and stop you where they're supposed to!
Overall, I'd say, at present, it's the best car out there of the local ones, and I intend absolutely no Honda/Toyota war, kindly refrain!
Could wish all my audio swithches into the steering wheel as per Rizwan bro, yet at around 19.5 lachs total so far, intend to wait for a couple of months, still.
Overall it appears to be one helluva value-for-money deal, as per present market trends.
Shall be back later here on fuel economy, the beauty is up for 1000 kms FFS, if such is still "free" in our era, lolz!
Enjoy, see ya all,
Regards.