Corolla E140

The North American Corolla (E140) was unveiled on October 31, 2007, at the SEMA  show in Las Vegas. The Corolla became available in US  dealerships on January 31, 2008, as a 2009 model. Only the sedan is sold, although the second-generation Corolla Matrix (commonly referred to as just "Matrix"), which shares the E140 platform and engines, is considered the Corolla's hatchback/sport wagon counterpart.The new Corolla has been described as a 7/8ths Camry, also having styling commonality with its little brother, the Yaris. It has been criticized for its sluggish steering and handling, and for its inexpensive interior materials which seem a step back from the previous generation.Reviewers note that the Corolla represents a gradual evolution over the previous iteration, without straying too far from the formula as a plain but reliable, fuel-efficient, simple and inexpensive form of transportation. A total of 5 trim grades (Standard, S, LE, XLE, and XRS) are being offered in the US,Canada has 4 trims (CE, LE, Sport (or S), and XRS). The LE and S have a similar MSRP and are very similar mechanically, the main differences being the S's spoiler, underskirts, and silver interior highlights. The XRS also has a spoiler and underskirts like the S, but it has a larger 2.4 L engine, rear disc brakes, a sport-tuned suspension, and standard stability and traction control.

The base (standard and CE) and S trims are available with either a five-speed manual or four-speed automatic transmission, while the LE (unlike the previous generation) and XLE are automatic only. The XRS grade is equipped with the 2.4-liter 2AZ-FE I4 engine, the same one used in the Camry, good for 158 hp (118 kW) and 162 ft·lbf (220 N·m) of torque, with a choice of five-speed manual or five-speed automatic transmissions.[17] The XRS takes 7.9 seconds to 60 mph (97 km/h) and 16.0 seconds for the quarter mile. All other trims have Toyota's new 1.8-liter 2ZR-FE four-cylinder engine with 132 horsepower (98 kW) and 128 pound-feet (174 N·m) of torque. Corollas with the 1.8-liter engine have an EPA fuel economy rating of 27 mpg city/35 mpg highway, both numbers being lower than those achieved by the previous generation. The 2.4-liter is rated at 22 mpg/30 mpg with the automatic and 22 mpg/29 mpg with the manual. All engines are ULEV II certified. Toyota carried over the 13.2 gal fuel tank from earlier models.In order to help improve fuel economy the new Corolla uses an electric power steering unit instead of a belt driven hydraulic pump.

The Corolla offers technological conveniences such as an auxiliary audio jack for MP3 players, upgraded JBL audio, tilt/telescopic steering wheel, steering wheel-mounted audio controls, and a hands-free Bluetooth mobile phone system. Traction control and Vehicle Stability Control (VSC) are standard on the top-of-the-line XRS, and are available as options on the American LE and XLE models.

In 2009 (2010 US model year), S models received the Optitron XRS gauges as standard equipment and new 16 inch steel wheel cover designs. XLE models received optional automatic climate control and a metallic finish to the steering wheel panels. All models now have Electronic Stability Control as standard equipment.In Mexico the Corolla is offered in 3 trim levels: LE which comes standard with 16 inch steel wheels and wheel covers and with both manual and automatic transmission, then the mid-range XLE now comes with 16 inch alloy wheels and wood inserts in the interior and it is only available with an automatic transmission, and the XRS that is basically the same as the XLE only that the manual transmission is available as an option again and the wood inserts are gone and the front and rear under body spoilers, sport side rocker panel moldings are standard. The Mexican spec Corolla is built at the Cambridge plant in Ontario. Mexico is the only country outside the US and Canada to receive the Corolla from this assembly plant. Also, as of the 2010 model year, fog lamps became standard from the mid-range XLE onwards.

Nissan Seren

The Nissan Serena started life as a very small people carrier, but grew larger with each generation over the years. Earlier versions were FR layout with a live axle mounted on leaf springs. Later versions had a multilink independent rear suspension, and were FF layout or 4WD. The most popular version was the 2.3 diesel engine version and it was unusual in that it had 8 seats instead of the usual 7.

These versions had 1.6 and 2.0 petrol or 2.3 diesel engines. Trim levels were LX, SLX, SGX and SGXi.Until around 2002, the standard petrol engine was an SR20DE. In the early nineties, Nissan produced a version with the turbocharged SR20DET to carry people very rapidly. From 2002 onwards the Serena used the QR20DE and QR25DE. A variety of other engines were used over the years, including diesels specifically the CD20 (for the commercial van version), CD20T 1973 cc Diesel Turbo and CD20ET.Models were manufactured in Japan from 1991 onwards, and many were imported into Australasia and the United Kingdom. Nissan produced many different trim levels - FX, SX etc. Full-Auto (full time) 4WD versions were also produced providing greater stability and better handling. The 2.3 non turbo diesel was never manufactured for the Japanese market and its seating arrangement and interior fittings are not the same as the 2.0 petrol (SR20DE), 2.0 Diesel CD20 and Turbo Diesel CD20T models manufactured in Japan for the local market.

Auto Express once named the Serena as the slowest passenger car in the benchmark 0-60 mph (now 62 mph) test, with the 2.3 diesel version (added in the mid 1990s) taking 27.8 seconds to reach that speed.Had the Nissan Quest/Mercury Villager never been developed for the North American market, this would most likely have been the MPV sold in the North American market, where it would have not only competed with its most formidable and principle competitor in the home JDM market, the Toyota Estima/Previa, but also the Chrysler Corporation minivans had it ever been sold there. The engines that would have been most likely sold in the MPV in that market would have been either the SR20DE, and the SR20DET to compete with the Estima/Previa's supercharged 2TZ-FZE, in addition to competitive V6 powered minivans/MPVs by the Domestic Big Three American auto manufacturers.Throughout its production the C23 model underwent several facelifts although the interior design and body largely remained unchanged, for example, addition of air bags and bench seats for the second and third rows. Each facelift model can be identified by front grill design which was updated in 1994 and 1997.

Toyota Fortuner

The Toyota Fortuner is a medium-sized SUV  based on the Toyota Hilux. Originally assembled only in Thailand, but later also in Indonesia and other countries, the Fortuner is built on the well-established platform of the Toyota Hilux pickup truck. It features three rows of seats and is available in rear-wheel drive or four-wheel drive among others. The Fortuner is part of Toyota's IMV project in Thailand, which also includes the Toyota Hilux and the Innova(in Indonesia). 

The car was designed in Thailand by Thai and Japanese engineers A number of engine options is available depending on the country of sale, including a 2.7 liter 2TR-FE and 4.0 liter 1GR-FE V6 petrol with Variable Valve Timing and 2.5 2KD-FTV and 3.0 1KD-FTV common rail variable geometry turbocharger Diesel models.Trim levels are G and G Luxury for rear-wheel drive diesel and gasoline, and V for four-wheel drive Diesel and gasoline. The common rail turbo intercooled diesel has functional scoop on its hood.In 2007 Toyota Thailand dropped the four-wheel drive gasoline model and replaced it with a two-wheel drive gasoline version.

This car was the best selling in its category (SUV/PPV) in the Philippines and currently Thailand.The Fortuner is not offered in Japan, Europe and North America, where the Hilux Surf is for the Japanese market and 4Runner in North America represent Toyota in the medium sized pick-up based SUV market.