Toyota has finally gone officially with the 2022 GR Corolla after a lengthy teaser campaign, but it appears the wait was worth it for hot hatch aficionados.
Due to land in Australian showrooms later this year, the fire-breathing GR Corolla is headlined, of course, by its engine, which is the 1.6-litre turbo-petrol three-cylinder engine borrowed from the smaller GR Yaris.
However, where the pint-sized Yaris produces a ‘mere’ 200kW/370Nm from the engine, Toyota has managed to squeeze another 20kW from the motor for the larger, and presumably heavier, Corolla.
That means a total output of 220kW/370Nm, which is fed to all four wheels via Toyota’s GR-Four all-wheel-drive system via a six-speed manual gearbox.
This means the GR Corolla lines up not only against front-drive competitors like the Hyundai i30 N (206kW/392Nm), Ford Focus ST (206kW/420Nm), Renault Megane RS (221kW/400Nm) and outgoing Honda Civic Type R (228kW/400Nm), but also easily rivals the likes of the new-gen Subaru WRX (202kW/350Nm) and Volkswagen Golf R (235kW/400Nm).
And exterior styling is suitable ferocious to match the engine, with the GR Corolla sporting bonnet vents, a road-hugging bodykit, attention-grabbing spoiler, widened bodywork and three exhaust outlets.
Starting at the front, the Corolla’s sleek headlights are complimented by a new bulging and vented bonnet to better evacuate hot air from the engine bay.
The bumper also features an enlarged intake for better cooling, and channels to feed air into the front brakes.
Like the teaser earlier this week revealed, the front fenders will also sport vents, and are wider than the standard Corolla hatch to accommodate the 18-inch wheels wrapped in sticky Yokohama Advan Apex tyres.
The sides also feature blacked-out side mirror caps and low-riding skirts, while the rear hips have also been pumped out for a more aggressive stance.
In the rear, an enlarged boot-mounted spoiler features, as well as a new bumper, but the most noteworthy change might be the triple exhaust outlets.
Unlike the Civic Type R, which centres the three, Toyota has opted to space out the tips, with the centre-exit one featuring an enlarged, oval design.
Toyota says the design “improves airflow”, but the triple-exit exhaust found on the Civic Type R is intended to enhance aural outputs.
Underneath, the GR Corolla is also fitted with front and rear Torsen limited-slip differentials, as well as upgraded suspension, increased body rigidity, and larger four- and two-pot ventilated brakes front and rear.
The GR Corolla will also be the only Toyota small hatchback to feature a manually operated park brake for “better control even when pushing the car to its limits, such as when drifting”, according to the brand.
Toyota is yet to detail the rest of the interior changes, but from images, it looks like sports seats and a unique steering wheel will at least be fitted.
Keyword: 2022 Toyota GR Corolla finally unleashed, and it's got 220kW, all-wheel drive and three exhaust outlets to stick it to the Honda Civic Type R, Subaru WRX and Hyundai i30 N