The new look Toyota Corolla

The new Toyota, which is priced from $20,990, has been aimed at younger buyers - the Japanese company looking to attract more private buyers in its bid to gather one quarter of the entire Australian market.

The success of the Corolla nameplate worldwide has been considerable - on average, one Corolla has been sold somewhere in the world every 40 seconds over the past 40 years. There are 1.3 million Corollas produced and sold worldwide each year.

The tenth generation of the world's biggest selling nameplate is on sale in Australia this week.

Toyota aims to increase its sales volume from 46,000 units a year by up to 15 per cent, subject to supply availability from Japan.

Toyota Australia chairman John Conomos said it would be a bonus if the new Corolla knocked Commodore from its perch as Australia's number-one seller, as it did in September, 2005, June and July 2006, and January this year. “If it occurs, that would be great,” Mr Conomos said.

“But Corolla is one of a number of vehicles we'll use in aiming for a 25 per cent share target,” he said.

The Corolla nameplate has sold more than 32 million units worldwide since it first came to market in 1966.

The new model will be available in sedan and hatch - developed separately to give the cars distinct personalities - which use similar amounts of fuel to the outgoing model despite weighing 50kg to 180kg more.

The top model, equipped with seven airbags, has achieved a five-star New Car Assessment Program crash test rating, but the base model comes standard with two airbags and anti-lock brakes.

The cars, however, do not have stability control.

Sales executive director David Buttner said the system was under consideration but would not be available until 2010.

WHAT YOU GET

Price: From $20,990 for the Ascent to $31,990 for the Ultima.

Engine: A 100kW/175Nm 1.8-litre DOHC 16-valve aluminium-block four-cylinder.

Fuel consumption: hatch - 7.4 litres per 100km (7.7 auto); sedan - 7.3 litres per 100km (7.4 litres per 100km for auto).

Other features: A five-star NCAP crash test rating, dual front airbags (with up to five more available as options), ABS brakes, six-speed manual or four-speed automatic. Boot space: 283 litres in hatchback and 450 litres in sedan.