ASEAN Autobiz Magazine

News	Smart power for the new generation Corolla Altis CNG

	With more and more users switching over to natural gas, automobile companies are starting to respond to this increasing demand. Toyota, the largest auto company in Thailand, is one of the leaders in alternative fuel technology, and apart from gasoline-electric hybrid vehicles like the Camry Hybrid, other models are also being tuned to become compatible with other types of fuel. Toyota had previously launched a CNG (Compressed Natural Gas) version of its popular Corolla Altis compact car, but it was intended to serve the taxi market and came with a rather low equipment level. Now for regular customers, Toyota has recently introduced an upgraded version of the Corolla Altis CNG that comes with a higher equipment level, as well as automatic transmission. The Corolla Altis 1.6E CNG with a 4-speed automatic transmission, is priced at Bt834,000 and comes with a more respectable equipment list that would appeal to general car buyers. According to Toyota, the CNG system is fitted in-house at its factory, unlike most CNG cars in the market that gets the CNG system upgrade outside of the factory. This helps ensure Toyota assembly standards – the Corolla Altis CNG comes with a 100,000km/3-year warranty just like other Toyota models. The 3ZZ-FE 4-cylinder DOHC 16-valve engine, with a displacement of 1.6-liters, is capable of generating 109 horsepower at 6,000rpm and 145Nm of torque at 4,400rpm. The engine is capable of running on gasohol (E10 and E20) as well as CNG, offering a wide choice of fuels for the user. The engine also passes the Euro3 emission standards. The gasoline/natural selector switch shows which fuel is being used as well as the remaining amount of natural gas in the tank. Both E20 gasohol and CNG can be used. Apart from manual switching, the automatic function selects CNG and switches over to gasoline when the natural gas runs out. During cold starts, the engine selects gasoline, but after the required temperature has been reached, the system switches over to CNG automatically. Toyota recently organized a test drive event for the Corolla Altis CNG from Bangkok to Hua Hin, allowing journalists to experience the performance as well as fuel economy of the new model. From Bangkok, the CNG tank was filled and the CNG mode was selected throughout (at least until the CNG was all used up). This engine is tuned for fuel economy rather than performance, and In CNG mode there may not be enough torque to get the 1.3-ton car accelerating too swiftly. There’s enough punch for city and highway driving, but highway overtaking (80-120km/h) may require a few extra seconds when compared to conventional gasoline-powered compact cars. According to Toyota, the front and rear suspension has been upgraded to bear the extra weight, along with the coil springs. The electric power steering has also been improved to cope with the weight increase resulting in better driving comfort and roadholding. In terms of safety, the gas refueling nozzle is located near the fuel inlet and is equipped with a safety valve that adds to the convenience and safety. There is also a solenoid valve helps control the gas feed according to the input from the ECU, which is ideal for the engine and helps prevent the gas from leaking out after the engine has been shut off. Meanwhile, the Double Check Valve prevents the gas from flowing back for added safety while driving. The 75-liter CNG tank is made from Chrome Molybdenum steel which is lightweight and highly durable. A tank is securely held in place by the base to prevent any damages that could result in gas leaks. The gas tank partition not only looks good, but also prevents objects in the luggage compartment from hitting the tank during braking. With the Toyota Corolla CNG, Toyota customers can now enjoy the low fuel cost by using natural gas, which also helps lower pollution, while offering the confidence in terms of quality and safety. -------------------------------- Specification Toyota Corolla Altis 1.6E CNG Engine: 4-cylinder DOHC 16-valve VVT-i Displacement: 1,598cc Bore and stroke: 79.0x81.5mm Compression ratio: 10.5:1 Max power: 109ps/6,000rpm Max torque: 145Nm/4,400rpm Transmission: 4-speed automatic Ratios: 2.847/1.552/1.000/0.700 Suspension (f/r): McPherson strut, stabilizer/torsion beam, stabilizer Steering: powered rack-and-pinion Turning circle: 10.6 meters Brakes (f/r): vented discs/discs Dimensions (mm) Length: 4,540 Width: 1,760 Height: 1,465 Wheelbase: 2,600 Track (f/r): 1,530/1,535 Wheels: 15-in alloys Tires: 195/65 R15 Weight: 1,335kgs Fuel tank capacity: 55 liters Price: Bt834,000 Distributor: Toyota Motor Thailand Co Ltd
Issue	January 2010