Don’t miss the opportunity to get to know this rare model more closely, which you can currently see with us, in the spirit of the Japanese theme, until December! Our museum is open every day from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. in the Glasshouse Kolosy building.
Not only is this car renowned for its reliability, but it is also a truly special version, tuned and refined by Toyota Team Europe (TTE) to honor the WRC-inspired car. The TTE version is particularly rare and sought after, as it has always held a special place among motorsport-inspired Toyota models. The Corolla WRC has won 4 rally races (two by Carlos Sainz and two by Didier Auriol) and the 1999 Manufacturers’ World Championship trophy.
By the end of the 1990s, Toyota had established a strong reputation for producing durable and reliable cars. Toyota Team Europe (TTE), which was the brand’s motorsport arm, saw an opportunity to create a sportier, more competitive version of the Corolla model. This TTE model is primarily designed for the European market and intended for motorists who want to have a bit of motorsport experience in addition to everyday reliability.
The TTE version was developed by the engineers and designers of Toyota Team Europe. The goal of the project was to create a more dynamic driving experience without sacrificing the well-known reliability and practicality of the Corolla. The developers paid special attention to the suspension, with the 40mm TTE seat springs manufactured by Eibach, and to the aerodynamics, with the roof spoiler, the front TTE bumper, and the TTE threshold spoiler.
The heart of the Corolla TTE is a 1.6-liter, 4-cylinder gasoline engine (4AFE), which produces 110 horsepower. Although this does not seem outstanding, the light body (1095 kg) and the fine-tuned suspension provide an excellent driving experience. Its special feature is that it is already equipped with a 6-speed manual gearbox, which is precise and easy to operate. This model comes with a reinforced braking system to provide reliable braking even at higher speeds. The car has a top speed of 195 km/h and accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in about 10 seconds.
A special TTE aerodynamics package was also available for the car, which included spoilers, skirts and a diffuser to further emphasize the sporty appearance and improve drag. The exterior of the car also revealed its sporty ambitions. The TTE’s exhaust was tuned by the Remus exhaust factory. In addition to the TTE aerodynamic package, there are 16-inch alloy wheels that were factory-installed on the TTE „Edition” model. Many versions and editions were produced (Red Bull Edition, G6R, SR, „Freddy Loix” (Belgian Rallyman Edition), Sportivo Turbo). In the passenger compartment, the driver was greeted by a sporty seat design and aluminum pedals.
Today, the Toyota Corolla TTE is a true rarity on the used car market, as less than 500 TTE Corollas were produced.
The 1999 Toyota Corolla TTE is the perfect choice for those looking for a classic yet sporty car. This car has become a true legend over the years and remains true to Toyota’s reputation for reliable, durable and fun driving. (Written by: Gyorgy Desi)