Page 70 - MotorTrend (March 2020)

FIRST TEST

stiff to drive. Although the powertrain was The lack of ABS, however, made the
left intact, Millen added Borla mufflers Corolla a bit difficult to control when
and redid everything. entering the corners, causing the rear to
The Corolla was customized to Quirós’ fishtail a little bit. “It’s OK to deal with that
liking. The chrome trim and side marker in an open parking lot,” Reynolds said,
lamps have been deleted. Even Toyota’s big “but on a narrow road it could get dicey.”
boss and Quirós’ close friend, Akio Toyoda Millen said the car will have full ABS
himself, had some input on the car—he before it’s shipped to its owner in Central
suggested the Corolla be finished in a America. But when I got a chance to get
different tone of green. After a handful of behind the wheel on the freeway, I was
color reviews, Quirós and Millen chose the extra cautious with my speed, lest I have
Olive Green exterior paint. to give more than moderate brake pedal
So how does Millen’s baby handle under pressure. The 5.0-liter engine responds
MotorTrend testing? “It’s happy to drift well to all throttle inputs, and I was
and exit corners at whatever power over- particularly impressed by the deep growl
steer angle you wish,” testing director Kim of the IS F engine in this application. Press
Reynolds said. “Very communicative and on the throttle, and its profound sound
obviously good power.” will turn heads. Even when going up the
Road test editor Chris Walton was demandingly steep Cajon Pass, the Corolla
pleased with the way the engine behaved. was happy to pass the lines of struggling
“Once underway, the engine really comes 18-wheelers and delivery vans.
alive and roars,” he said. “Upshifts were But besides its handling, what impressed
very smooth, though slowish by today’s me the most was the bizarre juxtaposi-
standards. In the end, the acceleration was tion between the interior and exterior.
right on top of an IS F. Fun!” Although the exterior is vintage and well

ALTHOUGH

THE EXTERIOR

IS VINTAGE, THE

INTERIOR FEELS

MODERN.