TESTED 1.9.22, UTAH MOTORSPORTS CAMPUS, US ON SALE NOW (US)
'Zero to hero' best charts Gazoo Racing's rapid rise to widespread acclaim. From its 2019 start with the GR Supra to the astonishing GR Yaris that followed in 2020 and then the sublime GR86 coupé, it has earned our love and respect for its unique way of consistently nailing the affordable sports car brief.
This year, it has further expanded its portfolio by launching a manual GR Supra (see right), but first it's time for the headline act: the GR Corolla.
Looking every inch a rally refugee, this hot hatch packs the mightiest of visual punches. Nothing is fake about it, and every element serves the single purpose of going very fast indeed.
It's sold in Core, Circuit, and Morizo guises, the third one demonstrating how far Toyota's black ops have come. It bins the rear seats and luxuries like the electric rear windows, speakers, and rear wiper to shave about 30kg off the portly 1470kg kerb weight.
Add in lighter, 18in rims, a closer-ratio gearbox and the option of two Torsen differentials and you realize just how serious Gazoo is in its bid to create the hottest hatch of all time.
So it's all the more frustrating that the GR Corolla won't come to Britain, despite our appetite for hot hatches. But we decided to torture ourselves anyway to see what we're missing on the GR Corolla's American debut.
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Poster car that went from rusty to trusty
One evening, two years ago, George Pappas was being driven down his local high street by a mate and mulling over whether to replace his Mk4 Golf diesel, a recent purchase that was boring him to death, when his girlfriend, also in the car, spotted an old BMW 3 Series at the side of the road with a 'for sale' sign in the window.
THE SEVEN-SEATER THAT VOLVO DARE NOT KILL OFF
The current-gen XC90 has been on sale since 2015 for good reason
GENESIS ELECTRIFIED G80
Where the story begins, in the Hyundai premium marque’s luxury saloon
LEXUSLBX
Can you shrink premium quality to fit an SUV this small? We now know
Rolls boss ready to 'define the next chapter'
Nine months into the job, Rolls-Royce CEO and car guy Chris Brownridge tells STEVE CROPLEY what he's learned and where the firm's heading
Once more, with feeling
AC Cars' recreation of the classic MkII Cobra is at first glance a faithful facsimile of a 1960s performance benchmark. SIMON HUCKNALL drives it
MERCEDES-BENZ CLE
Does a PHEV set-up work in a coupé that exudes such old-school vibes?
ANALOGUE SUPERSPORT
Lotus Elise specialist uprates 1990s icon with an eye on track days
ALPINE A290
The hot hatch is alive and well, and living in France. On both road and track, there's much to savour`
UK HANGS ON TO OLD CARS
Average car age climbs as high prices dampen demand for new models
