Sports models were capable of exhilarating runs
Toyota now offers all its models at any dealer, but until recently, each sales channel handled different models, and even for the same Toyota car, you had to visit the dealer that handled that model. For this reason, Toyota has many models called “siblings” that share the same basic mechanism but have different names and designs, such as the “Mark II 3 Brothers”.
The Alex was the sibling of the Corolla Runx
Even now that all cars are handled, some models are still sold in a sibling relationship, such as the “Noah” and “Voxy” and the “Alphard” and “Vellfire,” but now that these cars are handled at the same store, they are more different from each other.
However, among the past siblings, there are some models with almost identical specifications that have fallen into the shadows due to differences in name value and other factors. The “Alex” introduced here is probably the best example. </p
The Alex, which was introduced as a new model in January 2001, had a practical package as a compact hatchback with a 5-number size, but it was a sibling of the Corolla Runx, a hatchback model of the 9th generation Corolla, which was introduced in 2000.
As a sibling of the Corolla, the “Sprinter” existed for Netz stores (formerly auto stores) until the 8th generation model, but the Sprinter disappeared with the 9th generation model. The Sprinter disappeared in the 9th generation model. The Alex was assigned to Netz dealers instead. </p
The differences from the Corolla Lanx were negligible, with the front grille having a grid shape for the Runx and a horizontal bar for the Alex, and they were identical, from the engine installed to the price of the equivalent model.
The Alex started with two types: the XS150 series model equipped with the 1.5L engine, the highest volume model, and the RS180 series equipped with the 2ZZ-GE 1.8L engine that produced 190 hp.
The hot model RS180 series was available with a 6-speed manual transmission and was equipped with aero parts, large-diameter front ventilated disc brakes rear disc brakes, and a sports suspension.
After the minor change, a 1ZZZ-GE type engine is installed
Then, at the time of the minor change in September 2002, the XS180 series was added, with the same 1.8L displacement as the RS180 series, but with a 1ZZ-GE engine that emphasized practicality over sportiness. This model is available only with a 4-speed AT, and is positioned as a high-end version with a gate-type change lever and a brown wood-grained center cluster panel.
The Alex was sold together with the Corolla Runx until October 2006, when the base Corolla underwent a full model change.
In the end, the Alex and the Corolla Runx were only one-generation models, and the Auris was introduced as the de facto successor, but it was sold exclusively through Netz dealers, perhaps because it did not bear the Corolla name.
