More details of Toyota’s tasty new Corolla hot hatch emerge ahead of Friday’s world debut
After years of development and months of official teasers, the hotly-anticipated Toyota GR Corolla will be revealed in all its glory in just three days.
The high-performance all-wheel drive hot hatch, which is almost certain to be powered by a 200kW-plus version of the Toyota Gazoo Racing-developed 1.6-litre three-cylinder turbo-petrol engine that powers the giant-killing Toyota GR Yaris, will be unveiled at 9:30pm on March 31, New York time.
The 2023 Toyota GR Corolla will make its world debut via live stream on a dedicated microsite, allowing the world to watch the reveal of what is set to be a Volkswagen Golf R-slaying hot hatch.
Ironically for Aussies, the reveal timing translates to 12:30pm AEST on Friday (April 1), but unless Toyota Australia pooh-poohs its local arrival – which is highly unlikely – the Japanese car-maker’s first Corolla hot hatch will be no joke.
Yet another short teaser video was revealed by Toyota overnight, confirming the reveal timing along with a few more details such as its GR-FOUR branding, denoting its AWD layout as per the GR Yaris, vented widebody wheel-arches and black powder-coated alloy wheels hugging larger red GR brake callipers.
The GR Corolla will finally provide Toyota with a fitting hero model for what is not only its best-selling vehicle globally, but also the world’s best-selling nameplate of all time.
Details are scarce but the incendiary hatchback is expected to belt out as much as 225kW and 400Nm, which would put it in the same ballpark as the Mercedes-AMG A 35 and Volkswagen Golf R – and potentially at a much lower price.
Other competitors will include front-drive hot hatches like the Hyundai i30 N (206kW/392Nm) and Renault Megane RS Trophy 300 (221kW/420Nm), plus the upcoming Honda Civic Type R, while fans of the AWD Subaru WRX could also be swayed to take a closer look.
Alongside the upgraded powertrain and chassis – including bigger brakes and an advanced track-ready AWD system that will be capable of shunting a majority of engine torque to the rear axle – the GR Corolla is set to get a wider track and wide body kit along with several aerodynamic additions.
The cabin of the GR Corolla is also set to benefit from high-performance fittings, such as body-hugging sports seats, an upgraded steering wheel and performance-oriented instrumentation.
It’s not yet clear whether the GR Corolla will be offered with an automatic transmission as well as a six-speed manual, which will lifted from the GR Yaris.
Showroom timing? The most potent factory-built ’Rolla thus far is set for release in the US from around October and although there’s no confirmation of its local arrival just yet, Toyota Australia has made no secret of its desire to bring the car Down Under. Toyota Australia also trademarked the GR Corolla name in 2020.
Given the Toyota GR Yaris sold out in record time Down Under, it would be unlikely for Toyota Australia – and Aussie buyers – to be denied access to what is set to be a track-ready hot hatch from the world’s biggest car-maker.
Stay tuned for Friday’s reveal.
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Keyword: Toyota GR Corolla reveal timing confirmed