Toyota Debuts New Furia Concept at 2013 North American International Auto Show

Last week, during the 2013 North American International Auto Show in Detroit, Toyota revealed a very intriguing concept called the Toyota Furia.

The exciting news to come out of this compact sedan concept is that it hints at the styling cues consumers can expect to see on the next-generation Corolla. The Furia concept came to be as a result of an exterior styling study by Toyota designers. It looks to build on the brand's product development priority to develop more dramatic and vividly designed vehicles.

When asked about the Toyota Corolla Furia concept, Bill Fay, Toyota Motor Groups vice president and general manager of the Toyota Division said: "The Corolla Furia Concept is an early indicator of where our compact car design may lead in the future…It blends a heightened emphasis on dramatic design and modern elements of high technology to generate curb appeal that will surprise a lot of people."

One look at this new design and you can definitely see the changes from the current Corolla model. The new Toyota Corolla Furia design includes a swept windshield, a sloped roofline and more prominent fender flares. It has an aggressively styled front fascia, with a blacked-out grille treatment that highlights a pair of sculpted front LED headlamps (and rear composite LED taillights) that add a sense of advanced technology to the Furia's exterior. The Corolla Furia Concept's wheel wells are equipped with Carbon fiber accents, rocker panels, and rear valance, which includes ornate metal exhaust outlet surrounds to add a sense of modern athleticism.

Toyota says that the Furia concept is designed around a theme of "Iconic Dynamism," which uses pure and simple surface elements to create a very distinct and stylish appearance in order to appeal to more youthful consumers. The Furia is Toyota’s edgier interpretation of a usually conservative compact sedan that displays a more stable, athletic stance with 19-inch allow wheels pushed to the vehicle's corners to help emphasize its long wheelbase.

Toyota Corolla Furia Concept Specs

Overall Length 4620 mm/ 181.9 inches

Overall Width 1805 mm / 71 inches

Overall Height 1425 mm / 56.1 inches

Wheelbase 2700 mm/ 106.3 inches

Wheels 19-inch aluminum alloy

What do YOU think?

The Furia concept definitely would add some “pizzazz” to the Corolla model, but what do you think? Is it too much for the Corolla’s generally conservative users or is it just what the car needs?