Toyota just revealed the new Corolla Hatchback, but it’s already converted the hatch for drifting. Though
the drift machine looks something like the production version, in reality it’s
heavily modified and you can tell that much just by looking at it.
For starters, Toyota ditched the front-wheel drive
configuration for RWD, which is ideal for power slides and, of course, meeting
the Formula Drift regulations. Toyota Racing Development also built for it a
wide-body kit designed by Jon Sibal. It rides on a set of 18-inch wheels with
Nexen tires, while the stripped-out interior features Sparco buckets, racing
harnesses, a full roll cage and little else.
The standard engine is replaced by a 2.7-liter
inline-four from the RAV4. But even the transplanted powerplant is
substantially reworked. With a Borg Warner turbocharger, nitrous injection,
higher compression, and thoroughly revised components, it now kicks out 1,000
brake horsepower and 1,152 Nm of torque. Burning an E85
ethanol blend, all that muscle reaches the rear wheels through a four-speed
gearbox, four-disc clutch and a carbon-fiber driveshaft.
The result is a very different machine than what
you’ll see in showrooms and it’s already off to an auspicious start, as
Frederic Aasbo drove it in the top Pro class upon its debut at the Formula
Drift season opener at Long Beach. Aaso promptly trounced the competition,
handily beating Forrest Wang’s Nissan by a healthy margin to top the standings.
