New 6 Speed Manuals in the Fall?

[GatoradeBoy]

Originally Posted by EvoFire

Frankly, we don't know yet. We have no clue what engine family this transmission is made for. Plus, the 2.4 2AZ engine in the XRS is going to get retired, I doubt there would be a tranny made for it by Toyota, its being replaced by the new AR series 4 cyl engines that's going in the Rav4 Camry and Venza.

Is that speculation or do you know for sure that the new XRS will get this engine? I assume you are talking about the 2.5 liter 180hp engine?

[Sulu]

Originally Posted by GatoradeBoy

Is that speculation or do you know for sure that the new XRS will get this engine? I assume you are talking about the 2.5 liter 180hp engine?

Right now, I think that it is all speculation (I do not have access to the news of upcoming product like some members do) based upon educated guesses. This much we know:

• The Toyota 2AZ engine design is getting old and no longer competitive with the new engines from Nissan and Honda
• The Toyota 2AZ was rough running under load (I know in my Camry that the 2AZ was very smooth at idle, but stomp on the gas to really accelerate, and it was not the smoothest sounding or feeling engine. It is by no means terrible, but bad compared to what Toyota's engines are usually like)
• Toyota is in the process of replacing (and not leaving around examples of the older, replaced engines, with certain exceptions) its current range of engine designs, starting with the GR replacing the MZ (V6), UR replacing the UZ (V8) and ZR replacing the ZZ (medium Straight-4); the AZ is due for replacement (large Straight-4), as is, it seems, the NZ (small Straight-4)
• There seems to be the thought that the 2.5-litre Straight-4 engine destined for the RAV4 (replacing the 2AZ 2.4-litre engine) and the 2.7-litre Straight-4 engine announced for the Venza belong to the same engine family (likely the AR engine family replacing the AZ)

Putting all this information together, I would make an educated guess that the 2AZ engine in the XRS trim levels of the new Corolla and Matrix is destined for replacement.

Some more information about this engine (the 2AZ):

• It is NOT used in the Corolla anywhere else in the world, as far as I know
• This engine is produced here in North America, and it is by far the better-selling of the two engines in the Camry
• The 2AZ is used in the RAV4, and since the RAV4 is based on the Corolla platform, if it fit in the RAV4, it would likely fit in the Corolla/Matrix (and, obviously, it does)
• These two tidbits lead me to believe that Toyota uses it in the Corolla and Matrix because they need a bigger engine to be competitive with the Honda Civic and Mazda3, and because the 2AZ is available in North America, it is the one engine that has been chosen
• Toyota may not want to keep the engine around in North America just so it can be used in low volumes in the Corolla/Matrix

Would Toyota put another engine (like the sister engine, the 3ZR-FAE, with the Valvematic valve-timing and lift system) in the Corolla/Matrix? That is possible, but I doubt that Toyota would import -- in small volumes -- an engine just for the Corolla/Matrix. The Corolla and Matrix are very price sensitive, and using a low-volume engine would not be price-wise, but using a high-volume engine would be very price-wise.

All of these bits of information and educated guesses leads us to believe that Toyota will replace the 2AZ in the Corolla/Matrix with another engine, likely the new (AR?) engine destined for the RAV4 and Camry.

So, speculation, yes, but an educated guess, not a pie-in-the-sky theory.

[eyedoc]

Originally Posted by ECale3

Remember kids, capitalization is the difference between helping your uncle Jack off a horse and helping your uncle jack off a horse.

FYI. That doesn't make any sense. They both are saying the same thing. maybe you need a lesson in comma placement. Also, Uncle should have been capitalized (in both sentences) as should Jack in the first sentence, being that it is a proper name. Jack the verb should not be capitalized in the second sentence.


now, get out of the computer lab and go back to class....

[blacken]

The corolla needs that update
the 2ZR-FE while a ok replacement to the 1ZZ-FE is still lacking.
Riding in a new corolla doesnt impress me much.
Also dont even get me started on the 2AZ-FE engine.
Corolla used to have alot of trim selections before. why only 5 now Standard, S, LE, XLE, and XRS

If they gonna have such a small selection might as well make them worth it

Standard, LE, XLE - Econo Engine 1.8l 4
S - Slightly tuned engine - 2.0l at least your paying more might as well get more power than standard version
XRS- XRS is supose to be the Extreme Race Sport model it should have a super engine not no 2.4 158hp crapper >.> might as well make it come stock with supercharger or turbo paying so much for it, its not even worth it. Other cars in its price range and competition totally kill it.

IMO the S should have had the 2.4l engine at 158 hp and the XRS a supercharged or turbocharged variant of the same engine. At least them it would be competitive with its rivals.

[Dragon877]

totally agree about the S model....what a waste of a trim level...just slapping on a spoiler and underbody kit does not make a car "sportier" when it has the same craptacular suspension as the CE that costs like 3 grand less

[ECHOKnight2000]

Originally Posted by Dragon877

totally agree about the S model....what a waste of a trim level...just slapping on a spoiler and underbody kit does not make a car "sportier" when it has the same craptacular suspension as the CE that costs like 3 grand less

Marketing my friends!

I believe the "S" is the second biggest seller after the LE. Those two I see the most on the road. Probably more "S". Of course joe shmo is going to think that its faster. Its flashier but if that's good or not is subjective.

[Tideland Prius]

The thing is, I don't understand why Toyota didn't go all out with the XRS. I mean they already have the "S" which is their conservative model. The somewhat sporty model. The "I want a sporty looking car without the go" but yet the XRS isn't that much up and above the S. It's an S with bigger wheels and a bigger engine. How much sportier is the suspension and the dynamics of the XRS?

[Sulu]

Originally Posted by Tideland Prius

The thing is, I don't understand why Toyota didn't go all out with the XRS. I mean they already have the "S" which is their conservative model. The somewhat sporty model. The "I want a sporty looking car without the go" but yet the XRS isn't that much up and above the S. It's an S with bigger wheels and a bigger engine. How much sportier is the suspension and the dynamics of the XRS?

I don't know how the XRS drives, or any of the other models, since I have yet to drive the new Corolla. The XRS does have the strut tower brace, though, which the S does not have. Isn't the XRS the Corolla's equivalent to the Mazda3 GT, the compact car with the optional larger engine, but unfortunately, the XRS does not have the tight steering feel of the Mazda3. The Corolla does not have an equivalent to the Mazdaspeed3, but I cannot see it selling, since the Corolla's image is a nice, refined commuter car, not a zoom-zoom car (my apologies if I am infringing on Mazda's copyright).

[blacken]

Originally Posted by Sulu

I don't know how the XRS drives, or any of the other models, since I have yet to drive the new Corolla. The XRS does have the strut tower brace, though, which the S does not have. Isn't the XRS the Corolla's equivalent to the Mazda3 GT, the compact car with the optional larger engine, but unfortunately, the XRS does not have the tight steering feel of the Mazda3. The Corolla does not have an equivalent to the Mazdaspeed3, but I cannot see it selling, since the Corolla's image is a nice, refined commuter car, not a zoom-zoom car (my apologies if I am infringing on Mazda's copyright).

true the corolla is a sophisticated econobox
but when you are paying Thousands more for a S and XRS
You want some bang for your buck. Just because its a larger engine doesnt mean it wont get good gas millage.

We are just saying , paying that extra few grand better get you more than some groundkit clip ons and a S badge

[ECHOKnight2000]

Originally Posted by Sulu

(my apologies if I am infringing on Mazda's copyright).

I'll let it go this time but don't let it happen again

The XRS would compete ideally with the Mazda GT. As well as the new Lancer which base gets 152hp engine and GTS is now (for 09) 168hp I believe. So in that range. The XRS is a more kick in the pants more serious suspension set up. Is it blistering quick? No but it does the job especially at speed I'm guessing. As well as other goodies. It might not have the an Si or Mazdaspeed but its going for the meat of the market. Toyota only expect 5% or so sales that will go to the XRS. Regardless I'm guessing Toyota will update the engine cause the price does seem pricey compared to the competition and what you get or don't get.

[Dragon877]

the XRS was never gonna be the big seller in the Corolla lineup, and i personally think it makes more sense to go all out or just kill the trim, they might actually get more sales if they went all out with performance and tag TRD all over it

the XRS out right now is too pricey + gas guzzling for those of us who are in it for the ride comfort and gas mileage and just want a commuter, so we won't think about it. On the other end of the spectrum this car is too weak for any car enthusiasts out there who expect a lot out of their car, on par with the STI, Evo and Speed3, or at least up to the level of the SI, the XRS falls short of every one of them, so it's like the middle child, too old to be cute but too young to be taken seriously