Toyota GR Corolla
| Toyota GR Corolla (E210) | |
|---|---|
| Overview | |
| Manufacturer | Toyota |
| Production | 2022 (to commence) |
| Model years | 2023– |
| Assembly | Japan: Toyota, Aichi (Motomachi plant) |
| Body and chassis | |
| Class | Hot hatch/Sport compact (C) |
| Body style | 5-door hatchback |
| Layout | Front-engine, four-wheel-drive |
| Platform | TNGA: GA-C |
| Related | |
| Powertrain | |
| Engine | |
| Power output | 295–300 hp (220–224 kW; 299–304 PS) |
| Transmission | 6-speed manual |
| Dimensions | |
| Wheelbase | 103.9 in (2,640 mm) |
| Length | 173.6 in (4,410 mm) |
| Width | 72.8 in (1,850 mm) |
| Height | 57.3 in (1,455 mm) |
| Curb weight | 3,252 lb (1,475 kg) |
The Toyota GR Corolla (Japanese: トヨタ・GRカローラ, Hepburn: Toyota Jīāru Karōra) is an upcoming high-performance hot hatch variant of the E210 series Corolla compact hatchback. The vehicle will be manufactured by Toyota with assistance from the company's Gazoo Racing (GR) performance division.
The GR Corolla was introduced on March 31, 2022. The GR Corolla will be built mainly for the North American market as Europe received the GR Yaris (which is not sold in North America). Both vehicles are assembled at the "GR Factory" inside the Motomachi plant, a production line dedicated to GR-branded vehicles. Aside from North America, the GR Corolla will also be sold in Japan and Australia.
Overview
In 2020, Toyota unveiled the GR Yaris, a hatchback developed by the company's Gazoo Racing (GR) division for its World Rally Championship (WRC) team.[1] It is not sold in the United States and Canada due to the fact that the regular Yaris, upon which it is nominally based, isn't sold in those markets due to lack of demand.
The decision led to years of speculation that Toyota would eventually bring a hot hatch to the United States and Canada. The introduction of the vehicle was delayed by a year, because Toyota CEO Akio Toyoda, an accomplished racing driver, was not satisfied with the tuning of a prototype, and asked the GR team to make changes.[2] Development of the vehicle was led by chief engineer Naoyuki Sakamoto.[3]
On March 31, 2022, the GR Corolla was introduced, which while based on the larger E210 series Corolla compact hatchback, includes several features originally developed for the GR Yaris. The vehicle will be powered by the 1.6-liter G16E-GTS turbocharged straight-three engine that powers the GR Yaris. The version of the engine found in the GR Yaris makes up to 268 horsepower (200 kW; 272 PS), but the version for the Corolla will generate 295–300 horsepower (220–224 kW; 299–304 PS) and 273 pound-feet (370 N⋅m) of torque. Among other strategies to achieve this increased power output, the Corolla's engine uses larger exhaust valves and three tailpipes for reduced backpressure.[4][5] A six-speed manual transmission is standard in the GR Corolla.[6]
The GR Corolla also uses the GR-Four all-wheel drive system first developed for the GR Yaris. The standard setting is a 60:40 front to rear torque distribution, but it can go as rear-wheel biased as 30:70.[4]
The vehicle will feature the Toyota Safety Sense 3.0 suite of advanced driver-assistance systems and Toyota's updated audio multimedia system that debuted on the XK70 series Tundra.[4]
The GR Corolla will be produced alongside the GR Yaris at the "GR Factory" inside Toyota's Motomachi plant. Unlike most automobile plants, the "GR Factory" does not use a conveyor belt assembly line. Instead, vehicles are built at stations with more manual assembly processes. The "GR Factory" employs experienced technicians recruited from throughout the company.[7]
Special editions
Circuit Edition
The Circuit Edition is an exclusive model for the first model year of the GR Corolla, which offers performance upgrades such as Torsen limited-slip differentials for the front and rear axles (optional for the Core trim level). It also offers a forged carbon-fiber roof, hood bulge with functional vents, matte-black rear spoiler, and other upgrades.[8]
References
- ^ Perkins, Chris (January 16, 2020). "Here's How the 2021 Toyota GR Yaris Homologation Special Came to Life". Road & Track. Retrieved March 31, 2022.
- ^ Evans, Scott (April 1, 2022). "2023 Toyota GR Corolla First Look: The Most Powerful, Jaw-Dropping Corolla Ever". Motor Trend. Retrieved April 1, 2022.
- ^ Rivers, Stephen (April 14, 2022). "Toyota GR Corolla Chief Engineer Reveals More Details About The Hottest Hatch Of The Year". Carscoops. Retrieved April 14, 2022.
- ^ a b c Scherr, Elana (April 1, 2022). "2023 Toyota GR Corolla Has Everything We Want in a Hot Hatch". Car and Driver. Retrieved April 1, 2022.
- ^ Goodwin, Antuan (March 31, 2022). "2023 Toyota GR Corolla debuts alongside limited-run Circuit Edition". CNET Roadshow. Retrieved March 31, 2022.
- ^ Lee, Jonathan (April 1, 2022). "2023 Toyota GR Corolla revealed – grown-up GR Yaris with 304 PS 1.6L turbo 3-cylinder, 6MT, GR-Four AWD". Paultan.org. Malaysia: Driven Communications. Retrieved April 4, 2022.
- ^ "Heat for the Streets! Toyota Debuts First-Ever GR Corolla". Toyota USA Newsroom (Press release). March 31, 2022. Retrieved March 31, 2022.
- ^ Bruce, Chris (March 31, 2022). "2023 Toyota GR Corolla Debuts Looking Rally-Ready With 300 HP And AWD". Motor1.com. Retrieved April 1, 2022.
