Performance Review: Toyota Corolla 1.8 VVTL-I T SPORT - [2002]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Toyota Corolla Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Toyota Corolla 1.8 VVTL-I T SPORT is the 6 speed / Manual version and was first brought out in 2002. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 2002 Ferrari Enzo 6.0 V12 and the 2002 Pagani Zonda C12 S 7.3.This particular Toyota Corolla has a 1796cc Naturally Aspirated Petrol powerplant with 4 cylinders in a St formation.

Alternative Petrol St4's includes the 2019 Ariel Atom 4 2.0 Turbo

The Corolla shares its Petrol St4 engine configuration with the likes of the 2019 Ariel Atom 4 2.0 Turbo and the 2013 Caterham 7 620 R 2.0 L Supercharged. If you're looking for other fast cars which share the Corolla's Front Wheel Drive, Hatchback combination then how about the 2022 Volkswagen-VW Golf R Performance 2.0 Turbo or the 2020 Toyota Avalon TRD 3.5 V6.

Power and Weight:

Weighing in at 1210 kgs (2667 lbs) this makes the Toyota Corolla 1.8 VVTL-I T SPORT in the same weight category as the 2018 McLaren Senna 4.0 V8 Twin Turbo or the give or take 50kg.

The Toyota Corolla shares the same bhp with the 2020 Ford Puma ST 1.5 Turbo (197 bhp)

In terms of power the 1796cc 16V St4 engine produces 189 bhp (140 kW) @ 7800 rpm similar to the 2020 Ford Puma ST 1.5 Turbo (197 bhp) or the 2020 Abarth 695 70th Anniversario 1.4 Turbo (177 bhp).

The Naturally Aspirated St4 throws out 133 lb-ft (180.3 Nm) @ 6800 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2015 Mazda MX5 2.0i Roadster Coupe (148 lb-ft) or the 2013 Caterham 7 485 2.0L (152 lb-ft).

Power to Weight:

If one combines the weight with power or torque performance for the Toyota Corolla you can get a better idea of it's real world performance.

The 2022 Volkswagen-VW Arteon 2.0T (181.0 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the Toyota Corolla.

The Toyota Corolla has a Power to weight ratio of 156.1 bhp per ton and 109.9 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 2002 Corolla competing with the 2022 Volkswagen-VW Arteon 2.0T (181.0 bhp per ton) or the 2003 Nissan 350Z Coupe (180.9 bhp per ton).

Power to Weight(cont.):

If you agree with the late great Carroll Shelby then arguably an even better indicator of potential performance, Torque. Use weight as well and you end up with - Torque per ton, with the Toyota Corolla generating around 109.9 lb-ft per ton. If you're curious as to what other cars have as much torque to weight then look no further than the 1986 Renault 11 1.4 Turbo (134.8 lb-ft per ton) or the 2011 Citroen DS5 1.6 THP 200 (134.8 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 8.10 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 8.4 secs, this made the Toyota Corolla 1.8 VVTL-I T SPORT as fast as the 2014 Peugeot 308 GT 2.0 Blue HDI 180 (8.10 secs) the 2008 Fiat Grande Punto 1.4 T-Jet 155 Abarth (8.10 secs) the 2006 Volkswagen-VW Golf GT TDi 170 (8.10 secs) the or the 2005 Vauxhall-Opel Astra 2.0 Turbo SRI (8.10 secs). This Toyota Corolla 1.8 VVTL-I T SPORT is also faster than the 2006 Seat Leon 2.0 16v TDI FR (8.20 secs) the 2005 Land-Rover Range Rover 4.4 V8 (8.20 secs) the 2003 BMW X5 3.0d (8.20 secs) the and the 2000 Honda Civic 2.0i VTEC Type S (8.20 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the Corolla and the 2023 Porsche Cayenne Coupe 3.0 V6 Turbo

When talking about the performance of the Toyota Corolla on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 14.94 secs @ 91.5 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 2023 Porsche Cayenne Coupe 3.0 V6 Turbo (14.88 secs), the 2008 Bentley Azure T 6.8 V8 (14.90 secs), and the 1966 Buick Riviera 6.6l V8 (14.90 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 2002 version of the Toyota Corolla 1.8 VVTL-I T SPORT has a maximum speed of 140mph.

Top Speed of the 2002 Corolla equals the 2020 Lotus Elise Cup 250 1.8 Supercharged (151 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 2002 Toyota Corolla 1.8 VVTL-I T SPORT then how about the 2020 Lotus Elise Cup 250 1.8 Supercharged (151 mph), the 2013 Volkswagen-VW Polo R WRC 2.0 Turbo (151 mph), or the 2006 Volkswagen-VW Golf GTi Edition 30 DSG (151 mph).

Related Links:

2002 Corolla Rivals List.

A Brief History of Toyota

Car Comparison