The Toyota Corolla is celebrating its 60th anniversary this year, and Toyota has already started preparing special versions to mark the milestone.
In Japan, the model has now received an affordable version with a traditional gasoline engine and a manual transmission.
There is one important catch. Regular buyers will not be able to purchase it.
This new Corolla is intended for driving schools, where it will replace the previous Corolla Axio, which ended production last October.
A Simple Corolla Built For Training
From the outside, the new version looks intentionally modest. It has 15-inch steel wheels with covers and simple LED lights taken from the cheapest X trim.
Its special features include a different logo, extra mirrors that cover blind spots for the instructor, and mounts for special driving school license plates.
Toyota’s factory photos show the car in white, silver, and black.
Inside, the regular infotainment screen has been replaced with a special training panel. It includes a compact digital speedometer, an extra horn button, a navigation mount, turn signal indicators, and brake operation indicators.
Extra Controls For The Instructor
The cabin is very basic, with plenty of plastic and simple cloth upholstery. That makes sense for a car designed for heavy daily use in driving schools rather than private ownership.
The most important feature is the second set of pedals in front of the instructor. This allows the instructor to take control of the car when necessary.
Toyota has also added an extra interior mirror, giving the instructor a better view of traffic and student behavior during lessons.
Gasoline Power And A Six-Speed Manual
The base version uses a 92 cubic inch three-cylinder engine producing 120 hp and 107 lb ft of torque.
The six-speed manual transmission makes this the only new Corolla in Japan, apart from the GR Corolla, that is available with a manual gearbox.
A hybrid version is also offered for an additional cost. It uses a powertrain based on a 110 cubic inch engine, with a total system output of 140 hp and 105 lb ft of torque.
The hybrid comes only with an e-CVT. In both versions, power goes to the front wheels.
Japan’s Cheapest New Corolla
This new training version has become the cheapest Corolla in Japan. Pricing starts at about $14,000 for the gasoline model with the manual transmission.
The hybrid version starts at about $15,600, which is slightly above the basic hybrid model.
For comparison, the driving school version of the outgoing Corolla Axio cost about $10,600 near the end of its production run last year.
The new model may be unavailable to ordinary customers, but it is still an interesting reminder that the Corolla remains deeply connected to everyday mobility. Even after six decades, Toyota’s most famous nameplate continues to serve buyers, fleets, and now a new generation of drivers learning the basics behind the wheel.
This article originally appeared on Autorepublika.com and has been republished with permission by Guessing Headlights. AI-assisted translation was used, followed by human editing and review.