Production | |
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Model Year: | 1979 |
Production Years: | 1978 - 1981 discontinued in 1981 |
The 1979 Toyota Corona Hatch (TT) represents Toyota's compact hatchback offering during the late 1970s, produced between 1978 and 1981. This generation of the Corona was designed to provide a practical yet stylish vehicle that appealed to customers looking for a smaller car with hatchback versatility.
While exact detailed dimensions for the TT series can vary slightly depending on the market, the Corona Hatch of this period typically measured around 4 meters (approximately 13.1 feet) in length, making it a compact vehicle ideal for urban driving and easy maneuverability. The hatchback configuration contributed to a flexible cargo space, enhancing its utility beyond the standard sedan format common in the period's Corona lineup.
The height and width of the Corona Hatch were in line with compact hatchbacks of its era, providing sufficient headroom and interior comfort for passengers without compromising on handling and parking convenience. Its lightweight structure contributed to efficient fuel consumption and responsive driving dynamics, characteristics highly valued at the time.
The 1979 model year for the Corona Hatch (TT) continued Toyota's reputation for reliability, combining straightforward mechanical design with functional styling. The hatchback design was especially popular among young drivers and small families seeking a balance between passenger space and cargo versatility.
This generation Toyota Corona Hatch offered a glimpse into the evolution of compact cars in the late 20th century, representing both the practicality and economic concerns of the period with a focus on size efficiency and utility. Today, it remains a notable model for enthusiasts interested in classic Toyota hatchbacks and the development of compact car models during the late 1970s and early 1980s.
Discover the standout features that make the 1979 Toyota Corona Hatch a leader in its class
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The Toyota Corona Hatch (TT) from 1978 to 1981 features compact dimensions typical of late 1970s hatchbacks. It has an overall length of approximately 3970 mm (156.3 inches), a width of 1600 mm (63 inches), and a height of about 1370 mm (53.9 inches). These dimensions made it a practical urban vehicle with a balance of interior space and external compactness. The relatively modest width and height helped with maneuverability and parking in tight city environments, while the length gave enough cabin and cargo space typical for small family cars of the era.
The Toyota Corona Hatch (TT) has a width of 1600 mm (63 inches), making it relatively narrow compared to modern hatchbacks, which often exceed 1700 mm (67 inches). This narrower width is advantageous when navigating congested urban streets or fitting into tight parking spots. Drivers would find the Corona Hatch easier to maneuver in narrow lanes and city parking garages. However, narrow width might slightly reduce interior shoulder room, but it generally contributes positively to ease of driving in tighter spaces and contributes to better fuel economy by reducing the frontal area.
The Toyota Corona Hatch (TT) stands at approximately 1370 mm (53.9 inches) tall. This relatively low profile contributes to more aerodynamic efficiency compared to taller vehicles, potentially aiding fuel economy and reducing wind noise at highway speeds. On the interior side, the hatchback design generally maximizes headroom despite the low height, as the sloping rear hatch optimizes cabin space usage. However, taller passengers might find the headroom slightly more limited than in higher vehicles, but the balance between aerodynamics and usable headroom was well judged for the vehicle's class and era.
The wheelbase of the Toyota Corona Hatch (TT) from 1978-1981 is approximately 2440 mm (96.1 inches). A wheelbase of this length is typical for compact hatchbacks, providing a good balance between interior space and agile handling. It contributes to relatively stable and comfortable ride quality by allowing sufficient suspension travel and stability, while also making the car responsive in city driving and moderately twisty roads. The wheelbase dimension supports a compact footprint without sacrificing stability, making it ideal for everyday driving and maneuvering.
The Toyota Corona Hatch (TT) has a curb weight of approximately 900 to 950 kg (1984 to 2094 lbs), typical for compact hatchbacks of its era. This relatively light weight positively influences acceleration, handling, and braking efficiency. It helps the car achieve good fuel economy figures, as less energy is required to move the vehicle compared to heavier counterparts. The lower weight also means that the car tends to be more nimble, making it particularly suited for urban and suburban driving conditions. Overall, the Corona Hatch’s weight is a key factor in its balanced performance and efficiency.
Yes, the Toyota Corona Hatch (TT) comfortably fits into a standard single-car garage. With its dimensions measuring roughly 3970 mm (156.3 inches) in length, 1600 mm (63 inches) in width, and 1370 mm (53.9 inches) in height, it is smaller than most modern vehicles and well within typical garage interior dimensions, which often exceed 2400 mm (94.5 inches) in width and 4800 mm (189 inches) in length. The compact size makes parking convenient and allows room for some storage or movement inside the garage around the vehicle.
Compared to its predecessor, the Toyota Corona Hatch (TT) introduced between 1978 and 1981 generally offered a slightly more compact and practical hatchback design versus the older sedan or coupe layouts. While predecessor models tended to have larger or more traditional three-box dimensions, the TT generation emphasized a hatchback layout with optimized cargo flexibility while marginally reducing overall length and height, promoting easier urban usability. This evolution reflected broader market trends emphasizing practicality and fuel efficiency during the late 1970s and early 1980s, with the TT model representing a well-sized city car advancing from previous Corona versions.
The Toyota Corona Hatch (TT) fits comfortably within the size category of late 1970s compact hatchbacks. Compared to competitors like the Honda Civic first generation or Volkswagen Golf Mk1, the Corona Hatch’s length of about 3970 mm (156.3 inches) is slightly longer than these models' typical lengths around 3700-3800 mm (145.7-149.6 inches), granting marginally more cabin space. However, its width and height are similar, ensuring it remains a nimble and efficient choice. This size balance allowed Toyota to offer a car that was easy to drive in cities yet practical enough for small families, giving it competitive standing in the international compact car market.
The 1979 Toyota Corona Hatch (TT) offered a blend of practicality, economy, and reliability typical of Toyota’s approach during the era. It was a compact hatchback featuring rear-wheel drive, with a focus on efficient use of interior space facilitated by the hatchback design. Mechanically, it came with modest yet reliable inline-four engines designed for durability and fuel efficiency rather than outright performance, making it appealing to practical buyers. The interior was straightforward, emphasizing functional comfort over luxury, with basic instrumentation and seating capacity for up to five. The vehicle was popular in markets valuing efficient city transport combined with the occasional need for moderate cargo carrying.
While exact cargo volume figures for the Toyota Corona Hatch (TT) are less documented, the hatchback layout inherently enhances cargo versatility compared to traditional sedans. The rear seats could be folded down to expand storage space significantly, making it practical for carrying larger or bulkier items. Typical hatchback rear space offers about 300 to 400 liters (10.6 to 14.1 cubic feet) of cargo volume when seats are upright, with potential for more when folded. This flexible storage capacity made the Corona Hatch appealing for families and individuals who needed a daily commuter car capable of occasional loads, such as shopping, luggage, or small furniture transport.