Toyota Corolla (E100)

[8] The solid design reflected the desire of development chief Dr. Akihiko Saito to make a 'mini-Lexus', to build on the success of Toyota's flagship range.

They bore no real exterior resemblance but feature the chassis and most of the engine range of the standard Corollas, and used the Levin/Trueno dashboard.

The E100 sedan and hatchbacks introduced in June 1991 lasted until the introduction of the E110 in May 1995, while the E100 wagons and the related van continued in the Japanese market alongside the newer Corolla and Sprinter Carib models.

In October 1994, Toyota Racing Development launched a special edition of the Corolla for the Japanese market, known as the TRD2000.

The XL and XE both offered the 1.3-litre, carbureted 2E engine, with the latter enjoying extra features like power steering, alloy wheels, digital clock and tachometer.

In Thailand, this generation of Corolla is nicknamed "3 Ovals" or Sam Huang, due to its first usage of the current Toyota Logo.

[17] Launched in March 1992, Four variants were offered in the pre-facelift model; 1.3 DX, 1.3 GX, 1.6 GXi and the 1.6 LX Limited.

It had different headlights (independent high/low beams), grille, bumpers (extended) and trunk garnish for the Base and DX Sedans.

In 1997, the DX wagon was dropped, but a special CE (Classic Edition) sedan was offered and it incorporated a number of popular features in one value-priced package.

By the end of the 1997 model year, the Corolla had become the best-selling nameplate in automotive history, overtaking the Volkswagen Beetle.

It was available mostly in normal (non-sports) specs unlike the three-door-only FX range available in Japan, although some mildly hot models were also marketed.

A few select, rare models featured the 1.8L 7A-FE engine, including the 1.8 GXi 3-door hatchback in the UK, and the 1.8 XLi 4WD estate in certain markets.

Originally only the 1.3 and 1.6 petrol engines were on offer, the 2.0 Diesel and the faintly sporting 1.8 GXi (sold as the 1.8 GTi in most of mainland Europe) were added in March 1993.

In August 1995 the lineup was revised; the new models in the UK market were Sportif, GS, CD, Si, and CDX.

The GS featured a fully colour-coded exterior and with full electrics and a tilt/slide steel sunroof, as well as an upgraded interior with white dials and a rev counter.

[10] In Germany, Europe's largest national automobile market, the E100 sustained the Corolla's reputation for reliability and economy.

As with most other New Zealand-assembled Toyotas of the eighties and nineties, ex-Formula One driver Chris Amon had been allowed to adjust the suspension settings of the E100 Corolla.

[8] The locally built cars thus included a thicker rear swaybar as opposed to Japanese imported models.

The trim levels consisted of 1.6L CSi (base model), 1.6L and 1.8L CSX, 1.8L Conquest, sporty 1.8L RV (hatchback only) and the top of the range 1.8L Ultima (sedan only).