From the moment Toyota launched the GR Yaris, rumors started to surface about a hot hatch variant of the Corolla. While details about this vehicle remain unconfirmed, a new report out of Japan provides us with an idea of just how it could be.
For some time it has been speculated that
the GR Corolla would use the same 1.6-liter turbocharged three-cylinder as the
GR Yaris. As such, it seemed logical that the GR Corolla would have the same
257 hp as its smaller sibling.
However, according to Car Sensor, that may not be the case.
In a new report, the Japanese publication
claims that Toyota will tweak this engine to 296 hp, putting the GR Corolla
right up there with the likes of the Honda Civic Type R, Renault Megane R.S
Trophy, and Hyundai i30 N. Previous reports had indicated that Toyota would
also differentiate the flagship Corolla from the GR Yaris by ditching the
rally-bred all-wheel drive system of the Yaris in favor of front-wheel drive.
However, Car Sensor suggests the GR Corolla will indeed have all-wheel drive
and a six-speed manual transmission.
As if that’s not enough to wet your
appetite for another hot hatch from Toyota, the Japanese publication asserts
that the GR Corolla will actually be cheaper than the GR Yaris. In fact, prices
in Japan could sit between 3.5 million yen and 4 million yen (US$ 32,395 – US$ 37,021) in Japan, whereas the GR Yaris RZ starts at 3.96 million (US$ 36,650).
Unlike the GR Yaris, the GR Corolla could be sold Stateside as Toyota had
previously indicated that it would offer a hot hatch in the U.S.
