Toyota GR Corolla goes public in Manhattan.
Toyota has chosen the New York motor show for the public debut of the GR Corolla, its new Honda Civic Type R and Volkswagen Golf R rival.
The hot new take on the Toyota Corolla joins a quickly expanding line-up of hot Toyotas developed by the Gazoo Racing performance division, alongside the Toyota GR Yaris, Toyota GR Supra and Toyota GR 86. It goes on sale in Australia later this year, although pricing and specifications are yet to be announced.
The latest entry to the ranks uses a single-scroll turbocharged 1.6-litre three-pot engine familiar from the acclaimed GR Yaris but with power hiked up substantially to 224kW and torque boosted slightly to 370Nm.
The hikes come courtesy of a triple-exit exhaust, which reduces back pressure and improves exhaust flow, a new “multi-oil jet piston” cooling system, larger exhaust valves and a part-machined intake port.
Power is sent to both axles through a six-speed manual transmission, as in the GR Yaris, with an intelligent manual transmission (IMT) function, which essentially serves as a rev-matching function for smoother downshifts.
The top-rung Circuit Edition car is also equipped with a pair of Torsen differentials for improved grip and cornering response.
The bespoke 18-inch sports wheels are wrapped in sticky Michelin Pilot Sport 4 tyres and backed by ventilated, slotted performance brake discs gripped by four-piston aluminium callipers.
Toyota has yet to confirm performance figures, but expect a 0-100km/h time nudging 5.0sec.
While the GR Corolla’s silhouette is more closely related to the car on which it’s based than with the GR Yaris and regular Yaris, Toyota claims the “highly rigid body was specially constructed” for the new car.
Over standard, it features extra welds around chassis joints and more extensive use of structural adhesive between various components.
Felix Page
Keyword: Toyota GR Corolla debuts at New York motor show