KEY POINTS:
Better late than never - Toyota New Zealand is finally adding diesel engine options to its range of passenger cars.
Come June, the country's number one carmaker will be able to offer 1.4-litre and 2.0 turbo diesel powerplants for its ubiquitous Corolla.
Both will have manual transmission only (five speeds for the entry model, six for the top 2.0).
Other worthwhile enhancements include the long-overdue addition of stability control and a full complement of airbags - front, side, curtain and driver's knee restraints.
The 1.4 diesel achieves 66kW/190Nm, while the 2.0 makes 93kW/300Nm.
The 2.0 model also features a shift indicator light which signals the driver when to change gears to the best environmental performance.
Both new diesels meet Euro IV emission standards.
The 1.4 litre version has CO2 emissions of only 132 grams per 100km, while the 2.0 litre variants are 144g/100km. Fuel consumption is 5.0 litres per 100km for the 1.4 and 5.4l/100km for the 2.0 model.
An exclusive pack will be available as an option on the 2.0.
It includes a "smart" entry and start system, rain sensing windscreen wipers, light control system, heated exterior mirrors, rear demister timer, climate control air conditioning and 16-inch alloy wheels.
Toyota New Zealand is also adding diesel power to the RAV4 crossover.
The 2.2 common rail powerplant makes 100kW/310Nm and achieves 6.6l/100km with the standard six-speed manual transmission.
The diesel RAV4 will be easy to spot - it's the European model, which has a 100mm-shorter wheelbase than the petrol model and rides 10mm lower.
Driver and passenger front, side, front and rear curtain shield and driver's knee airbags are all standard.
