Toyota has confirmed that the new GR Corolla is on its way to South Africa and will make its official debut within the next few months.
While normal hatchbacks have seen a decline in popularity over the last few years, the exciting realm of hot hatches is still going strong with numerous models that have hit the stage in recent times.
Another high-profile hot hatch to make the scene in South Africa this year is the next-generation VW Golf R, which is set to be one of the GR Corolla’s biggest competitors.
We put these two feats of engineering side by side to see how they stack up.
Performance
The Toyota is running on an improved version of the 1.6-litre turbocharged petrol engine found on its high-performance cousin, the GR Yaris, giving it an increased power output of 221kW and 370Nm.
Paired with a traditional six-speed manual gearbox the Corolla sprints from 0-100km/h in around 5.0 seconds and boasts a top speed of 230km/h.
A special GR-Four selectable four-wheel-drive system then allows the driver to customize various aspects of the handling including the power distribution, acceleration response, and steering.
Shifting focus to the VW, it comes with the same 2.0-litre, turbo-petrol powerplant as its sibling, the GTI, but VW has cranked up the power to 235kW and 400Nm.
Once again, the German carmaker has gone with a seven-speed automated dual-clutch transmission, though one crucial difference is that the R is four-wheel drive while the GTI turns the front wheels only.
The end result is a 0-100km/h time of 4.8 seconds for the R and an electronically-limited top speed of 250km/h.
The R also has a lockable differential for better traction in the corners, adaptive chassis control for improved handling, and variable power distribution over the front and rear axles.
Features
In a classic example of form-meets-function, the Corolla has been given a triple-exhaust outlet, hood outlets, wider fenders, and larger front intakes for better airflow.
It also features 18-inch alloys, Michelin Pilot Sport 4 tyres for enhanced grip, and a carbon fibre-reinforced plastic roof for greater strength and weight savings.
Toyota has yet to confirm the final list of features that the South African market will receive, but a look at other country’s brochures where it’s already on sale indicates that the Gazoo Racer will offer a 12.3-inch digital driver display, 8-inch infotainment, eight-speaker JBL sound system, blind-spot monitor, rear cross-traffic alert, a GR-branded push-start button, aluminium sports pedals, a physical hand brake, heated synthetic leather sports seats, automatic climate control, a rear camera, and LED headlights.
As the flagship model in VW’s hatchback range, the Golf is naturally equipped with several exciting options including a set of slim LED headlights, a panoramic sunroof, blue brake calipers, and 19-inch Estoril alloy wheels.
Inside, owners are treated to Nappa leather sports seats, keyless entry and start, a 10.25-inch driver cockpit, front and rear park sensors, a wireless phone charger, three-zone climate control, stainless steel pedals, paddle shifters, and a 10.25-inch media screen with onboard navigation and smartphone pairing.
Launch date
The pricing and exact launch date have yet to be revealed for either of these dynamic hatchbacks.
The Toyota GR Corolla will go on sale in South Africa within the next four months, while VW simply confirmed that the R will arrive “before the middle of the year.”
As a ballpark reference, the GR Yaris costs R791,900, while the Golf GTI starts at R744,200, and it’s likely that the Corolla and R will be priced higher than their respective siblings.
Toyota GR Corolla
VW Golf R
Keyword: Toyota GR Corolla vs VW Golf R – Ultimate hot hatch showdown