Nostalgia for the 1980s: Toyota Corolla acquired a driver's version FX in the USA

The Toyota Corolla FX has sporty trim, a lowered suspension, and retuned steering, but it all comes with a completely standard powertrain.

Press service of Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A. claims that the modern Toyota Corolla FX is dedicated to the sports model Corolla FX16 of 1987 (E80 generation), which was equipped with a high-speed 1.6-liter 16-valve gasoline engine producing 110 hp, only it was a hatchback capable of competing with the then VW Golf GTI, and the modern Toyota Corolla FX is a sedan with light factory tuning. The company apparently did not dare to offer the FX version in a hatchback body, since this body has an all-wheel drive 304-horsepower GR Corolla.

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The Toyota Corolla FX is based on the standard front-wheel drive SE version with a 2.0-liter naturally aspirated gasoline engine (171 hp, 205 Nm) and a CVT. The FX version features 18-inch wheels of a special design with matte black centers, a developed spoiler on the trunk lid, a black roof, black mirror housings and black emblems. The suspension has shorter springs, which allowed to slightly lower the center of gravity and improve handling, and the electric power steering tuning has become sharper.

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Inside, the Corolla FX features front sport seats with integral headrests and cloth upholstery with orange stitching, a larger infotainment screen (10.5-inch instead of 8-inch), a larger instrument screen (7-inch instead of 4.2-inch) and shelf with wireless charging for a smartphone. In addition, the Toyota Safety Sense 3.0 set of electronic driver assistants is included as standard.

The Toyota Corolla FX will go on sale this fall, the price has not yet been announced. The original Corolla SE now starts at $24,490, and the current top-end XSE trim with a 2.0-liter engine starts at $27,150.

Add that last year the Toyota Corolla sold 232,370 units in the United States. (+4.6% compared to sales in 2022), beating its eternal rival Honda Civic, whose sales amounted to 200,381 units. (+49.6%), but in the first quarter of 2024, the Civic overtook the Corolla: 61,929 units were sold. (+36% compared to APPG) and 60,071 units. (+39.8%), respectively.

In April, a junior sports version of the Corolla appeared for the Japanese market, it was named Active Sport and is available in sedan and station wagon bodies.
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