
Toyota South Africa (TSAM) has confirmed that the GR Corolla is launching in the country within the next four months.
“TSAM’s Gazoo Racing stable will further expand in the second quarter of 2023 when the GR Corolla hot hatch arrives, bringing the number of GR models in South Africa to four – including the GR Supra, GR Yaris, and GR86,” said the manufacturer.
“Pricing, detailed specification, and model line-up for the GR Corolla will be confirmed closer to launch timing.”
The company also said that the high-performance hatchback will only be sold in limited quantities, though it didn’t say how many, and that it will be distributed through “GR-focused dealerships” exclusively.
GR Corolla specs
The GR Corolla is based on Japan’s Corolla Sport, showing off a much more aggressive look thanks to 20mm-wider front fenders and 30mm-wider rear fenders, a triple-exhaust outlet, sizeable front bumper air intakes, front fender and hood air outlets, and a carbon fibre-reinforced plastic roof that contributes to rigidity.
The original hatchback’s footprint also grew 60mm wider at the front and 85mm wider at the rear resulting in improved stability and control, and it rides on 18-inch gloss black wheels wearing Michelin Pilot Sport 4 tyres.
The GR Corolla then makes use of a strengthened version of the same 1.6-litre, turbo-petrol engine found in the Yaris, which in the local market will produce 221kW, said Toyota, a 12% increase over the Yaris’ 198kW.
Power is translated to the tarmac exclusively through a purist six-speed manual transmission and a specially-adapted GR-Four selectable 4WD system, the latter of which now allows the driver to individually adjust power distribution, accelerator response, steering, and more.
Finally, rigidity and stability have been enhanced via the installation of new braces between the rear wheel wells to the under-floor tunnel, and under the floor in front of the fuel tank.
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