These few pics seem to have leaked a bit early...

This is the point at which everyone says, "What did they do with that extra year?" Referring, of course, to Toyota's 2006 decision to push the Corolla launch back in order to freshen the design as a response to Honda's Civic.

The Corolla gets a makeover in the style of the Camry, with wedge-shaped headlamps and a Toyota logo in the grille-work. The new car is over two inches wider and an inch shorter than the 2008 model, in response to criticism that the old car always looked like it sat high on its axles. The interior has been given more attention, with a simple design but high grade materials and improved fit and finish.

Most Corolla trim levels will have a reworked version of the 1.8L four that now has Toyota's VVT-i variable valve timing on the intake and exhaust cams, which operate independently of each other. Its 132-horsepower output is up only two from the previous Corolla, but with a flatter torque curve. The performance XRS model loses its old 1.8-liter Celica GT-S drivetrain in favor of the 158-horsepower 2.4-liter four already used in a variety of Toyota and Scion models.

The Leno-chinned Matrix is half an inch longer and half an inch shorter than the model it replaces. The large rear quarter windows, one of the traits that distinguished the Matrix from its Pontiac Vibe twin, are gone in favor of small glass slits that form a wraparound backlite with the tailgate. The interior is very much an evolution of the current Matrix, with the most notable change being a square cluster-within-the-cluster for the fuel and temperature gauges.

Performance-wise, Matrix parallels the Corolla, with both 1.8 and 2.4-liter models available. AWD remains available on automatic 2.4-liter models. As with the Corolla, the highline XRS model has lost its high-revving 1.8-liter VVTL-i engine and six-speed manual in favor of a torquier 2.4-liter with a five-speed.

 

Matrix looks pretty aggressive.

The Corolla is still "simple," but definately an upgrade from the current bodystyle.

 

The Corolla looks like a perfect fusion of the Camry and Yaris.

 

I like the look of the Matrix. It's definitely a much needed upgrade.

 

I don't know how I feel about the side profile...it looks like a freakin Suzuki SX4.

Corolla doesn't seem to look much different, and I don't know about the rumors of Toyota allegedly going back to the drawing board to create something more radical.

 

It looks like an 05 Matrix with a body kit.

 

Great bread and butter cars.

 

Nice. The Matrix looks a little like the International version of the Ford Focus Europa ST down here. These things are deadly little beasts at my track.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-hTCHGUhLUU

 

The Matrix looks smaller since the rear side-windows are now gone.

 

The shape of the rear glass reminds me of the previous Outback Sport.

 

Looks like the current Corolla and Matrix with a few more curves.

 

 

 

Corolla XRS looks really good IMO.

Thing is, I thought all of the earlier reports said that we weren't getting the same exact Corolla as the rest of the world and as it turns out...we are. That back end is the SAME as the Asian Corolla

Like I said above, I guess the rumors about them "restyling it at the sight of the Civic" were untrue.

Steering wheel looks a little cartoonish, but the rest of the interior looks FIRST RATE! Very happy with that. Look how tight those interior gaps are! Also looks like there will be a 4AT judging from the pic of the automatic. That is, IMO, unacceptable. I might be wrong though as I have heard talk of a 5AT.

Overall I'd give it a B+. Only really looks good in XRS guise as the LE looks a bit lame, interior looks great, and I am anxious to see the specs on the powertrain. 4AT, if true, would be terrible.

NEW MATRIX IS ATROCIOUS

Ryan mentioned something about the new Matrix being powerful, and we are just left with engines that are shared with SCIONS. WTF!