Corolla Generasi Ke-4

The 4th Generation COROLLA

It's not a car if it's not beautiful.

"Beautiful aerodynamic style to match the new era."


Fumio Agetsuma,
Development Leader of the 4th Generation COROLLA



Production Period (1979 - 1983)
*Production period in Japan. The period of introduction for this generation model may vary by region.




In March 1979, the 4th generation COROLLA was introduced on the market. Around this time, Japan's economy was recovering from the oil shock*1, and with the background of material abundance, a trend was developing with focus on improving quality of life. As this occurred, user needs diversified, and economic efficiency was demanded from passenger cars. Because of this, the COROLLA was reborn as a "luxurious family car with superior overall performance to meet diverse user needs."

While adopting equipment and mechanisms suitable for an international product (e.g., a stylish, aerodynamically efficient design, a newly developed engine, and rack & pinion steering), at the end of its model period, the 4th generation COROLLA also responded to social needs for fuel economy by introducing diesel engine equipped models and such.

The design concept of the new model, "Luxury car status and features, with excellent fuel economy", matched the needs of the era, and the 4th generation COROLLA was widely accepted by many, not only in Japan but overseas as well. The model was highly praised for its level of quality and performance. In fact, in 1980, one year after its initial release, annual exports reached 500,000 units, and in the 3-year period from 1979 to 1982, the 4th generation COROLLA surpassed the VW Golf in worldwide passenger vehicle production volume*2 and held the top position for the greatest number of passenger vehicles produced. Then in January 1983, exports reached 116 nations for a total export of 4,730,000 units. In March of the same year, the cumulative production total of COROLLAs reached 10 million units.
*1: Triggered by the Yom Kippur War in the Middle East in the 1970s, crude oil supply was restricted and prices jumped dramatically. As a result, the world faced economic turmoil.
*2: According to data from the Automobile Manufacturers Association of each nation. Includes the wagon, excludes the van.

At the beginning of 1975, Development leader Fumio Agetsuma began preparing the development plan for the 4th generation COROLLA. His plan was to "offer more luxury features than the 3rd generation in a compact family car package, and prevent the baby boomer generation from switching over to higher class vehicles." Development of the 4th generation COROLLA was started under this basic concept set forth by Agetsuma.

When formalizing the plan, market research known as a dynamic study was heavily utilized. This market research was conducted in great depth, targeting a vast range of users throughout Japan including customers of rival vehicles. The study focused of course on age, annual income, and occupation, as well as purchasing motivation and usage conditions, including the distance traveled each month. In addition, hearings that targeted dealerships in Japan and studies of markets throughout the world were carried out and referenced for the development of the new model. Developments guided by this type of market research were essential in the development of a COROLLA that would continue to be cherished throughout the world.

To ensure that the status secured by the 3rd generation COROLLA of best selling car in the world was even more firmly secured, the 4th generation COROLLA had to be designed based on an international perspective and outlook in the area of styling as well.

The first focus of development was to give the new model a distinctive and innovative shape that contributed to the vehicle's fuel economy aerodynamically. Agetsuma stated the following concerning the importance of aerodynamics for the new model. "In addition to increasing vehicle performance, aerodynamic performance became an extremely important realm in automotive design. I recognized the need for our designers to study aerodynamics, so I gathered them together for a lecture from the aerodynamic research team at the Higashi-Fuji Technical Center to learn exactly what qualifies as an aerodynamically efficient design. We even carried out over 400 hours of wind tunnel testing. In the end, we were able to successfully incorporate all of this knowledge into the new model's design. It is fair to say that this turned out to be one of the main characteristics of the 4th generation COROLLA."

Agetsuma's words turned out to be true ― the new COROLLA was introduced with a sleek, slanted nose and a high-deck styling.

Originally, plans called for the use of the 1.5-liter 1A-U engine already loaded in other models. However, in the fall of 1978, only six months before the scheduled release, the 3A-U prototype engine was developed with the same 1.5-liter displacement and tenacious power in lower speed ranges. Agetsuma decided on very short notice to switch to this engine. However, immediately after that, problems occurred as cracks were generated in the cylinder head in the production trial stages. With that, Agetsuma and the engine testing staff gave up their year end and New Year's holidays to work on necessary countermeasures. The prospect was finally visible in February 1979, a mere one month before production of the 4th generation COROLLA was scheduled to begin. Production of the 1A-U engine, which was initially scheduled for use, was discontinued after a year and a half, so Agetsuma's decision turned out to be the correct decision. However, according to Agetsuma, "At the time, I took quite a bit of heat because the engine isn't something that could be easily interchanged."

A 4-link coil with a lateral rod that offers superior riding comfort and driving stability was adopted for the rear suspension. The merit of the conventional leaf spring suspension was its strength on bad roads, and this type of suspension had been used in successive COROLLA models to meet the demanding road conditions throughout the world. However, an incident spurred the change to this new suspension. While Agetsuma was visiting Holland, the president of an agency showed him the leaf spring in a horse-drawn carriage and stated that the COROLLA was the same as that carriage. Agetsuma later reflected on that moment and stated, "It was a major shock. But while it was difficult, we were bold enough to make the change."

The new model was designed to firmly maintain the status achieved by the 3rd generation as the best selling car both domestically and globally. To do this, technology was pursued and polished on high international standards. From the time of its release, the 4th generation COROLLA enjoyed a favorable reputation both in Japan and overseas, and for several months the new model was so popular that it could not be produced fast enough. And once again, the 4th generation COROLLA gained a firm grasp of the status of best selling car in the world.

At the time of the initial release in March 1979, five body types were available, including a sedan (2-door / 4-door), hardtop, coupe, liftback, and van. However, in May of 1982 at the end of the 4th generation model period, a wagon ― a popular body type even today in Japan ― was added to bring the total to six for this generation.

Three types of engines were available including the newly developed 1.5-liter OHC 3A-U, the 1.3-liter OHV 4K-U inherited from the 3rd generation, and the 1.6-liter DOHC 2T-GEU. Also, in August 1979, five months after the 4th generation's release, the 1.8-liter OHV 13T-U engine was added to the lineup, but was discontinued in August 1981.

In August 1981 in the latter half of the model period, the 1.3-liter and 1.5-liter engines evolved to become the LASRE 3A-U II and LASRE 4K-U II engines, with LASRE* added to their names.

In February 1982 at the end of the model period, the 1.8-liter OHC 1C diesel engine was adopted to respond to the needs of that era to conserve energy.

Sporty models were also aggressively pursued in the 4th generation, and the Levin coupe, liftback, hardtop, and 4-door sedan were equipped with the sporty 2T-GEU engine. In addition, sporty equipment was incorporated primarily around the driver's seat in models equipped with 1.5-liter engines, and entry-level sporty models were made available. On the other hand, other variations were made available to respond to the needs of users including a vehicle with specifications for handicapped passengers and a vehicle designed specifically for women.
* LASRE: Light-weight Advanced Super Response Engine

The 4th generation COROLLA was designed with consideration of aerodynamic performance rather than maintaining the image of the 3rd generation, and was transformed into a clean, boxy style with sharp lines. The wedged shape with a short nose and high deck significantly improved aerodynamic performance, riding comfort, and practical utility, and this fresh style drew a lot of attention. Also, the exterior design with its aerodynamic characteristics achieved a Cd value of 0.35 (European specification), a value that is not inferior to even modern day vehicles.

When the awareness of the target user class, a critical factor in determining design, was analyzed, the team found that the group "had a taste for genuine articles", "was not deceived by shoddy workmanship", "would purchase what they liked even if it was expensive", and "would not switch to other vehicles as long as the car offered features to match their lifestyles". From this, Fumio Agetsuma encouraged the interior designers to "design the COROLLA like a higher class vehicle." The design team was then motivated to giving the interior a complete makeover. For example, while the rival cars were competing on the number of independent, eye-like meters it had surrounding the driver's seat, the team opted for a television-like design, and housed all the meters under a single lens. This was an entirely new idea for the time and established a trend that has continued through even today. Also, the switches were designed and positioned in a way that they shared the same sophisticated industrial design image of an Italian made typewriter. In addition, a design suited to a luxurious family car to lead the times was achieved by adopting a 2-spoke steering wheel and a sophisticated audio system.

Three types of engines were available when the 4th generation COROLLA was released, including the highly efficient 1.3-liter OHV 4K-U engine inherited from the 3rd generation, the sporty 1.6-liter DOHC 2T-GEU engine, and the newly developed and well-balanced 1.5-liter OHC 3A-U engine. Later, the 1.8-liter OHV 13T-U engine was added.

The 3A-U engine was born under the concept of creating the ideal engine of the future. After much deliberation, engineers concluded that an ideal future engine must have the following qualities ― high performance, good fuel economy, lightweight, high response, and easy maintenance. By pursuing this concept, the 3A-U boasted a maximum output of 80ps / 5600rpm and a maximum torque of 11.8kg-m / 3600rpm and exhibited consistent power from low to high speeds. The superiority of this lightweight and quiet engine is evident from the evaluation noted in test drive reports at the time of the release that stated, "Compared to the 1A-U engine, the 3A-U revs smoothly, and the reinforced torque can be felt."

During the latter half of the model period, the 3A-U evolved to become the LASRE 3A-U II, and the 4K-U became the LASRE 4K-U II. Improvements were made in fuel economy and responsiveness. The term LASRE*1 was coined from the initials of the development concept that included words such as lightweight and response, and this name was given to Toyota's new generation of engines. The LASRE series later became a well-known engine with a total production number that exceeded 10 million.*2

Towards the end of the model period, the 1.8-liter OHC 1C diesel engine was added, a first for the COROLLA. Latest technologies were incorporated, including aluminum alloy cylinder heads and a direct-drive valve operating system that did not use rocker arms. On top of the inherent characteristics of the diesel, better fuel economy and high thermal efficiency, the 1C offered excellent startup characteristics in cold regions, and generated sufficient power of 65ps.

The gasoline engines used in the export models included the 1.3-liter 4K-series, the 1.6-liter 2T-series, and the export only 1.6-liter 4A-C and 1.8-liter 3T-C engines. The 1.8-liter 1C diesel engine was also exported. Each of these engines was optimally selected and made available based on the needs and driving conditions of each country.
*1: LASRE (Light-weight Advanced Super Response Engine) *2: Examined in 1990.

Similar to the past, 4-speed and 5-speed manual transmissions with floor-mounted shift levers were available as basic equipment. A 2-speed automatic transmission was available in models equipped with the 4K-U series engine, and a 3-speed automatic transmission was available in models with the 3A-U series engine. The sporty 2T-GEU engine models adopted the conventional 5-speed manual transmission. The 1C diesel engine models were available with a 5-speed manual transmission, or a 4-speed automatic transmission with overdrive for fuel efficiency, a first for this class.

For the suspension, major changes were made in the rear, adopting a 4-link coil with a lateral rod. With the adoption of this configuration, unpleasant shaking was suppressed, and superior driving stability and riding comfort were achieved. In addition, the sporty model rear suspension was equipped with a stabilizer to reduce body roll, and handling stability and riding comfort were balanced on a high dimension.

In the steering system, a rack & pinion mechanism was newly adopted. However, initially it was only made available on the 1.3-liter engine models, and the other models adopted the conventional ball nut type mechanism. Fumio Agetsuma explained the reason for this. "I personally liked the direct feel of the rack & pinion system and wanted to switch all the models. However, our loyal customers voiced strong opinions concerning the danger of sudden changes to the COROLLA's handling characteristics, so we decided to make the switchover in stages." Approximately 75-80% of customers replace their COROLLAs with new COROLLAs, which is a large number. To protect those customers, sudden changes were avoided. In fact, rack & pinion steering was expanded and made available in the 1.5-liter engine models in the latter half of the model period, and was adopted on all models of the 5th generation COROLLA.

The seats were designed by incorporating data from seating pressure distribution evaluations, and high quality materials were adopted in pursuit of quality on an international level.

In addition to the conventional front seats with high seatbacks and built-in headrests, front seats with adjustable headrests were made available. Exclusive bucket type seats were adopted for the coupe models. For the rear, fixed seats were adopted for the sedan and hardtop models, while split folding seats were adopted on the coupe and liftback models for various seat arrangements. Furthermore, a seat recliner was adopted for the liftback model.

In the latter half of the model period, a vertical seat adjuster, lumbar support, front to back adjustable headrests, step-less reclining seats, and a tilt steering mechanism were added to improve comfort and support differences in driver physiques.

On the other hand, to ensure quietness, a vibration proof design was implemented on the body structure. And for reduced wind noise, sound proofing and sound isolation measures were implemented. The confidence in this design is evident from an advertisement copy in Japan at the time of the release that stated, "A flawless achievement of a truly quiet drive never before experienced."

Further enhancements were targeted in safety equipment, and disc brakes with excellent radiation performance and stable braking force were adopted for the front brakes. For the rear, leading-trailing drum brakes with stable braking characteristics in both forward and reverse were adopted. The sporty models with 2T-GEU engines were equipped with 4-wheel disc brakes ― a first for its class ― providing excellent stopping power to accommodate the high performance engine.

4-door sedans were equipped with double retractable ELR seatbelts that are easy to fasten. Other models came standard with ELR seatbelts with a tension reducer to reduce the tightness and constriction on the passengers.

Other safety measures incorporated for the 4th generation include permeation type instrument panel illumination for superior visibility, larger windshield and fender mirrors for good visual range, and impact absorbing urethane bumpers.




Other Technologies and Equipment

● Half shut door warning light for passenger safety

● Fuel gauge with hold function so that fuel level could be seen with ignition OFF

● Automatic air conditioning to provide a comfortable interior environment

● Fuel lid opener inside the cabin

● Square halogen headlamps with superior illumination performance

● Power mirrors with single control lever

● Quartz digital clock

----00----



Major Specifications

*The specifications listed here are for the displayed vehicle (shown in the photo on the left) at the Corolla 40 year anniversary event held in August 2006 in Tokyo, Japan.




Specifications of displayed vehicle ; 4th generation
Model code : E-AE70-EEHNS
Grade : 4-door 1500GL sedan
Model year : 1979
Vehicle price (JPY) : 924,000
Vehicle weight (kg) : 850
Minimum turning radius (m) : 4.7
Overall length (mm) : 4050
Overall width (mm) : 1610
Overall height (mm) : 1385
Wheelbase (mm) : 2400
Min. ground clearance (mm) : 155

Interior dimensions:
length (mm) : 1710
width (mm) : 1340
height (mm) : 1130
Passengers : 5
Engine type : 3A-U
No. of cyls & arrangement : Water cooled, inline 4-cylinder OHC
Fuel : Gasoline
Engine displacement (cc) : 1452
Fuel consumption (km/L) :
60 km/h constant speed driving : 20
10 mode fuel efficiency : -　
10.15 mode driving : -
Transmission type : 3-speed automatic
Drive train : FR
Max. output : 80PS / 5600rpm


Vehicle Diagram and Dimensions


Secret of COROLLA

Quickest to the 10 million mark
The COROLLA series reached production total of 10 million units in March 1983. This milestone was achieved in a mere 16 years and 4 months since the 1st generation COROLLA was released. This was the first such success for a single model series in Japan, and was a brilliant feat in the world as well, following the Ford Model T, the Chevrolet, and the Volkswagen Beetle. Furthermore, the record pace of 16 years and 4 months to break the 10 million mark was the quickest ever for a vehicle produced after World War II.


Challenge to see the invisible
When the 3A-U II and 4K-U II LASRE series engines were developed for the 4th generation COROLLA, a major theme was "visualization" of air flow inside the engine. Based on technology cultivated while developing measures to reduce emissions, smoke was inserted into a transparent model of the cylinders, and wind speed sensors were used to observe the flow of air. This technology was further refined, and computer simulation technology was perfected. The use of this technology later led to the development of the "high-mecha twin cam", a truly innovative engine mechanism.


Tests implemented throughout the world
In order to be a true international competitor, the 4th generation COROLLA needed to conform to all types of conditions throughout the world. To achieve this, prototype vehicles were sent to Europe, the US, and Canada, where various compatibility tests were implemented. For example, high speed cruising tests were conducted on the Autobahn and country roads of West Germany. Dynamic performance and riding comfort tests were performed on Belgian brick roads. Thermal endurance tests were performed in the mid-summer desert in the US, and frigid climate tests were done in Canada. The COROLLA had already seen the most demanding conditions before it was released to the world.