Toyota has launched its new Corolla range -- the ninth generation model of the world's best-selling car.

Twenty nine million Corollas have been sold, accounting for almost 20 per cent of total Toyota sales world-wide.

Four bodystyles are available from launch -- three and five-door hatchbacks, Verso MPV and estate, with a saloon completing the range in the summer.

The three and five-door hatchback models are being built in at the company's plant in Burnaston, Derbyshire. The saloon will be built in a new plant in Turkey, with the Verso and estate built in Japan.

The Corolla is available in four grades -- T2, T3, T Spirit and T Sport, priced from £10,795 for the T2 1.4-litre three-door up to £16,995 for automatic version of the T Spirit Verso.

The range comes with a wide choice of four petrol and two diesel engines, including a high-performance T Sport version producing 189 horsepower.

The new Corolla has an impressive list of standard equipment when compared with its competitors. Even the T2 grade has driver's, front passenger and front side airbags, anti-lock brakes with electronic brake force distribution, remote central locking with double locking, electric front windows with anti-trap, single CD player and colour keyed mirrors and bumpers. Moving up the range to the T3 grade, specification is even more impressive with 15-inch alloy wheels, air conditioning, front fog lamps and colour keyed side mouldings offered as standard.

The T Spirit grade has a leather steering wheel with audio controls, heated mirrors, electric tilt/slide sun roof (Verso T Spirit grade has twin sunroofs -- manual front, electric rear), electric rear windows, automatic air conditioning and Optitron instruments.

Optional turn-by-turn satellite navigation with Electronic traffic Avoidance (ETA) provides advance information of traffic congestion, accidents and closed roads on a programmed route and DVD-based satellite navigation with full map display available as an option on T3, T Spirit and T Sport grades.

All models are covered by a three-year/60,000 miles warranty, three-year paintwork and 12-year anti-perforation warranty.

The new Corolla has also been awarded best in class insurance classification throughout the range. This means that the entry level T2 3-dr hatchback has an insurance group of 3E, two groups lower than the outgoing 1.4-litre Corolla and only one group higher than the 1.0-litre Yaris.

T2 1.6-litre models have been rated at 5E, three groups lower than their 1.6-litre predecessors and one group lower than the Peugeot 307 1.6 and Honda Civic 1.6i S.

Toyota (GB) expects to sell about 30,000 new Corollas during 2002, 7,000 of these being the new Verso model with the British built three and five-door hatchbacks accounting for a large proportion of the annual sales mix. The outgoing Corolla sold on average 18,000 units per year.

A full range of accessories has been developed for customers to personalise their new Corolla. The accessory range, known as Collections, consists of four specific packs. These include a sound collection comprising of a subwoofer, front tweeters and in dash six CD changer for £745.95, including VAT. Sound Collection is not available on Verso models.

The Style Collection comprises Aero front skirt and rear spoiler, rear chrome garnish trim and chrome exhaust finisher and is priced at £650, including VAT. Style Collection is available on three and five-door hatchback models only and is fitted at the new car distribution depot.

The Cargo Collection comprises: Boot liner, seat back storage bag and cargo nets for protection from loose items of luggage. This pack is available for £150.95, including VAT.

Lastly, City Collection is available to help parking in awkward spaces. City Collection, comprising of parking sensors and bumper corner protectors is available, depending on body style, from £285.95, including VAT.

For further information contact Inchcape Toyota on 01865 516516.