We wouldn't be the first to admit that the Toyota Corolla has been anything near exciting in its many years on the market. But if there's something we've learned from the Japanese automaker as of late is that it's anxious to boost its styling and performance image. Hence the new Furia Concept you see before you, a clear preview of what the next-generation Corolla will look like. Having its debut at the Detroit Auto Show, the Furia is without question a striking departure from Toyota's best-selling econobox.

With its "Iconic Dynamism" theme, it features narrow headlights, LED taillights, a dynamic grille design, short overhangs and 19-inch wheels, it's certainly an intriguing preview of what Toyota has in store for its next Corolla which will face worthy competitors like the Ford Focus and Hyundai Elantra.

The latest Camry and Avalon have also diverted away from their previous bland vanilla styling inside and out so it's no surprise here that the next Corolla will do the same. Compared to the current Corolla, the Furia is roughly two inches longer and wider, but its wheelbase is nearly four inches longer, suggesting there will be increased interior space. The question is, however, how much (or little) of the Furia's styling will make production. We'll have to wait several more months in order to find out.