Good Motoring
A soundless diesel car
H. Kishie Singh 

EVER since this column began, and we would feature a new car that had come into the market, only two questions would be asked: "Is it diesel?" and "What is average?" Even if you had tested a Bentley Azure costing Rs 3.5 crore, the first question to be asked was: "Is it diesel?"

India’s love affair with diesel is legendary and a universal truth. India is the only country in the world that manufactures a diesel engine motorcycle. Keeping that in mind, I can answer the question right away. "Yes, it is a diesel. It is a Toyota Corolla, and it gives 21.5 kmpl." These answers should please potential buyers. All questions answered? End of column for this week!

Happily, there is a lot more. A diesel engine has some inherent drawbacks. The engine is heavier, and because of the high compression ratio noise, vibration and harshness (NVH) levels go up, and the diesel engine clatter is always present.

These problems have been addressed in the usual Toyota way — efficiently. Noise. To prevent the engine clatter from intruding into the passenger cabin, three layers of insulation have been added to the firewall. Result? A clatter-free cabin. Two layers have been added to the floor, and in case the sahib is chauffer driven and sits in the back seat, the rear wheel arches are also insulated. It is an ultra silent cabin.

The suspension has been raised to give it a ground clearance of 175 cm. The suspension has been stiffened to accommodate the heavier engine. It absorbs potholes and bumps in its stride. A very interesting feature, not seen before on any car, is the little air-spat ahead of the front wheels. Toyota claims that this little patch improves the aerodynamics of the air flow over the front wheels, and adds to highway fuel efficiency. The co-efficient of drag is .29 for this car.

A 1400 cc engine and a six-speed gear box would lead to reduced gear shifts, which in turn means less wear and tear on the gearbox and clutch, and improved fuel efficiency.

Don’t be fooled by the 1400 cc engine with two values per cylinder. The Toyota Innova with a 2500 cc engine has a torque of 200 Nm. The Altis has a torque of 205 Nm. The Innova has 102 bhp and the Altis 88.5 bhp. The little engine holds its own against, Big Brother, and where it really scores is the fuel efficiency.

Both engines are designated as D-4D, meaning direct injection, 4 stroke, diesel. The engine is Euro IV/Bharat IV compliant.

There is nothing to report on the technical specifications like tyres, front-wheel drive, transverse engine, as they are the same as the petrol Altis. It does have a 50-litre petrol tank. With a fuel average of 21.5 kmpl, you can go to Delhi and back — twice.

The interior remains unchanged. The only change on the exterior is a black matt honeycomb radiator grill. That and the air spats. But to get a good look at them you have to get down on your knees. Just take my word for it, they are there.

The Altis has two sets of keys. One for general use and the other for valet parking. The valet’s key won’t open the glove box or boot. Your goods are safe.

It also has an electro-chromatic rear view mirror. Which means, it dims automatically if the car following has his lights on high beam.

The Altis diesel comes in three variants. The base model, the HJ, is Rs 11 lakh (approx). The mid-range model, the HG, is Rs 12.8 lakh, and the top-end model, the HL, is Rs 13.8 lakh (approx).

The Corolla Altis Diesel is sure to be a big hit, considering the country’s love for diesel. Plus the reliability and longevity that the Corolla promises.

Happy motoring.

While jacking up your car, make sure the jack is on a firm surface