Aggressive Toyota Furia Offers Glimpse of Corolla's Future

BALTIMORE, MD (01/18/2013)(readMedia)-- While the popular Toyota Corolla has long held a reputation for quality and reliability, the compact sedan's styling is probably more aptly described as safe rather than sporty. That could be about to change following the debut of Toyota's Furia concept at the Detroit Auto Show this week. The aggressively styled concept sedan may hint at some of the changes in store for the next-generation 2014 Corolla, which is expected to go on sale later this year.

Compared to the current Corolla, the Furia features sharper design lines, bold LED headlights and a more swept-back windshield and hood. That sleek style is driven home by a blacked-out grille and carbon-fiber accents on parts like the wheel wells and rear valance. Overall, the Furia is shorter, narrower and longer than the 2013 Corolla.

"Today's car buyer wants a vehicle that offers not only top-notch reliability and quality, but also style that stands out in a crowd," said Wade Sterry, general manager of Russel Toyota, a Baltimore, Maryland Toyota dealer. "Toyota recognizes that demand and is designing its new models to look just as good as they drive, which is quite a feat."

Toyota's new design approach is evident in its 2012-model-year redesign of another popular sedan: the best-selling Camry. In addition to donning crisper design lines and a wider, lower stance than prior models, the latest Camry offers a sportier SE trim with a tighter suspension, alloy wheels and high-grip tires. Those changes not only helped sales of the midsize sedan increase by 31 percent in 2012 year-over-year, but they also served to lower the average age of Camry buyers by nine years compared to the previous generation.

Even during what was likely its last full year on the market, the current generation of the Toyota Corolla remained a top seller in 2012 as well, with its sales reaching 290,947 units, a 21-percent boost compared to 2011. With both the Corolla and Camry manufactured in the United States, the models helped drive a record year of North American production for Toyota. The automaker produced 1.78 million vehicles in North America last year, surpassing its previous record from 2007 and achieving a 41-percent increase year-over-year.

"As Toyota redesigns its vehicles to appeal to a broader cross-section of American buyers, it is comforting to know that the production of those models is directly benefiting American workers," added Sterry. "A stronger Toyota lineup helps create a stronger U.S. economy, and with attractive new models hitting the assembly line this year, the future looks promising."

About Russel Toyota:

For more than 40 years, Russel Toyota has relied on a customer-first approach to provide Maryland drivers with only rewarding experiences when it comes to Toyota sales, service and parts. In addition to the dealership's broad selection of cars, trucks, SUVs and minivans, Baltimore Toyota owners can also take advantage of Russel Toyota's affordable and thorough maintenance services from their expert team of technicians. Browse their inventory online at www.russeltoyota.com or in person at their Baltimore, Maryland Toyota dealership, located at 6324 Baltimore National Pike. They can also be reached by phone at 410-788-8400 and found on Facebook at www.facebook.com/RusselToyota.