TOYOTA CORONA - Part 6 - Sixth Generation

T130 series

Sixth generation

Production	Sep 1978—Apr 1983[1][6]
Assembly	Toyota City, Japan Altona, Victoria, Australia Thames, New Zealand
Body style	4-door sedan 2-door hardtop coupe 5-door liftback 5-door station wagon
Layout	FR layout
Engine	1,587 cc 12R OHV I4[1] 1,588 cc 2T OHV I4[6] 1,588 cc 12T OHV I4[6] 1,770 cc 3T OHV I4[1][6] 1,770 cc 13T OHV I4[6] 1,808 cc 16R SOHC I4[6] 1,892 cc 1X OHV I4 (Holden) 1,968 cc 18R SOHC I4[1][6] 1,968 cc 18R-G DOHC I4[7] 1,972 cc 21R SOHC I4[6] 1,994 cc 5R-LPG OHV I4[6] 2,189 cc 20R SOHC I4[7] 2,366 cc 22R SOHC I4
Transmission	3-speed manual 4-speed manual 5-speed manual 3-speed A40 automatic 4-speed A40D automatic
Wheelbase	2,525 mm (99.4 in)
Length	Sedan 4,490 mm (176.8 in) Liftback 176.8 in (4,490.7 mm)
Width	1,655 mm (65.2 in)
Height	Sedan 1,400 mm (55.1 in) Liftback 53 in (1,346.2 mm)
Curb weight	Sedan 1,085 kg (2,390 lb) Liftback 2,559 lb (1,161 kg)

Introduced in Japan in September 1978, the T130 series Corona adopted a boxier design over the outgoing T100/110/120 series. It maintained the standard front engine / rear wheel drive layout of all Coronas that preceded it. The T130 series was available in a wide range of body styles across various markets including a four-door Sedan, two-door hardtop coupe, four door wagon and new five-door liftback, which featured a 40:60 split fold rear seat.

All models featured Macpherson strut independent front suspension as well as a 4-link trailing arm rear suspension arrangement with a Panhard rod. Disc brakes were fitted as standard equipment on the front of all models. Rear disc brakes were fitted as standard on the 2000GT and 2000SL, which were not available to all international markets. Other models were fitted with rear drum brakes.

The T130 was the last Corona in the USA where Sedan, Wagon and Liftback were offered in Base and LE models. The Corona was replaced for the 1983 model year by the larger front wheel drive Camry sedan and four door hatchback in the USA. Internationally, the Camry outranks the Corona and the sportier Corona, called the Carina, due to its larger dimensions, and the Camry's front wheel drive platform, which competes with the Honda Accord, Nissan Auster and Mazda Capella.

The T130 series was manufactured with a wide range of engine and transmission combinations. 1.6 litre 12R, 2T (and associated 12T) and 2.0 litre 18R engines are the most common. Amongst other minors change, the 1.8 litre 3T / 13T engine was added in 1981 to replace the 1.6 litre 2T / 12T. The North American Corona shared the 2.2 litre 20R engine with the Celica. Emission regulations passed in 1978 were applied across the range of models offered. The 1.8L engine was equipped with electronic fuel injection as well as the 2.0L engine. In Japan the venerable 2.0L 18R-G was offered in the range-topping 2000GT, developing 101 kW (135 hp) at 5800 rpm.

Toyota Australia manufactured sedans and wagons using 1.9 L Holden Starfire engines, badged in Toyota engine terminology as the 1X, coupled with a 4 speed or optional 5 speed Borg-Warner 505. Toyota Australia also imported 4 door sedans and 5 door liftbacks fitted with a 2.0 litre 18R engine for the upmarket range.

New Zealand assembly started with a 1.6 litre OHV and three-speed manual with bench front seat and 1.8 litre 3T with a four-speed manual or three-speed auto. The 1.6 was soon changed to the newer 2T engine with four-speed manual and bucket front seats. Later in the run, Toyota NZ added locally assembled Liftback versions with the 1.8 litre engine and manual or automatic transmission. These models also had a standard radio and separate cassette deck - both were rare factory fittings in the country at the time. Production of the T130 ended in 1982, to be replaced by the new, modern T140 series.

Corona LE lift back (USA)