Toyota is thought to be readying a
GR-badged performance version of the Corolla that could hit the market in 2023.
On the back of the positive reception to the exciting Toyota GR Yaris, the
Japanese marque is allegedly looking to install the same turbocharged 1.6-liter
three-cylinder engine into the Corolla. In the GR Yaris, this engine muscles
out an impressive 268 hp but it remains to be seen if the GR Corolla will have
quite as much grunt with Auto Express suggesting it could be de-tuned to around
250 hp.
If true, that would be a bit of a shame as
Toyota’s Gazoo Racing division could decide to make a hardcore Corolla its most
potent hot hatch with performance to rival the likes of the Honda Civic Type R
and Hyundai i30 N or perhaps equip it with all-wheel drive like the GR Yaris so
it could rival the VW Golf R and next-generation Ford Focus RS.
Nevertheless, it is understood that the GR
Corolla will feature a six-speed manual transmission as standard. As the
current Corolla uses Toyota’s TNGA architecture including multi-link
suspension, company engineers should be able to create a hot hatch that takes
corners like a pro.
It is reported that Toyota will be able to
release a slew of new performance models, perhaps even including a tricked-out
version of the C-HR crossover, as it continues to roll out hybrid, plug-in
hybrid and all-electric models between now and 2025, helping to lower its
fleet-average emissions figures. This will provide it with some leeway to have
fun with GR-badged models.
