GR Corolla is GO!

THE MUCH-ANTICIPATED SECOND PHASE OF TOYOTA’S HOT-HATCH ASSAULT IS OFFICIAL, AND IT’LL BE HERE BEFORE THE END OF 2022

- CHRIS THOMPSON

THE AGE OF exciting Toyotas continues, and the hot-hatch world is on notice. The Corolla is headed here to join the GR fold with Yaris, 86 and Supra as enthusiast-focused cars from Aichi Prefecture.

Wheels scooped the GR Corolla in our November 2021 issue, relying on information from Toyota sources, accompanied by images created by our in-house artist. The official unveiling of the car reveals that only a few details in that November report were revised during the final stages of development.

Though its Australian specification is yet to be fully finalised, the datasheet for its Japanese-market version provides the framework for an angry hot hatch that’ll properly take the fight to sharp front-drivers and hi-po AWD rivals alike.

As reported, the GR Corolla is powered by the same engine as its smaller sibling, the GR Yaris. The G16E-GTS, a turbocharged 1.6-litre three-cylinder, makes the same peak torque of 370Nm in the Corolla as it does in the Yaris, a number we expected to see rise. However, that peak torque is made between 3000 and 5550rpm; a wider max torque band than the GR Yaris.