No longer a rumour, Toyota has just confirmed the GR Corolla will be offered to our local market and based on how popular its smaller Yaris sibling was, this may be one of the most anticipated vehicles for the year!
So when will it join the Japanese automaker’s stables in South Africa? Toyota South Africa Motors states that the all-wheel drive hot hatch will arrive in the second quarter of 2023. The Corolla will join other GR models including the Supra, Yaris and GR86.
Related: A Closer Look at the Corolla Cross GR-S HEV
“We can safely say Toyota’s philosophy of building fun-to-drive cars is clear to see. With the GR brand’s motorsport DNA, the new GR Corolla promises to deliver on just what driving enthusiasts’ really want – high-performance turbocharged power, agile and dynamic handling, and of course the looks to match,” says Glenn Crompton, Vice President of Marketing at TSAM.
CPS 2023: Toyota GR Yaris 1,6 Rally – pure performance pedigree
Under the bonnet of the GR Corolla is the same G16E-GTS 1,6-litre three-cylinder turbocharged engine that propels the pocket rocket GR Yaris forward. In the case of the more practical 5-door corolla, things have been turned up to 11, with Gazoo Racing further enhancing the motor to suit the larger hatch. The 12% increase in power now yields total output to 221 kW which is channelled through an intelligent six-speed manual transmission before being dispatched by Toyota’s GR-Four all-wheel-drive system – Fruits of Toyota’s involvement in the World Rally Championship.
The GR Corolla is built on Toyota’s GA-C platform with enhanced frame reinforcements developed specifically for the GR Corolla at the Motomachi plant in Japan. Devoted JDM enthusiasts will know the Motomachi facility as the birthplace of the Lexus LFA and Supra A80, which makes it a fitting birthplace for the GR model lineup.
Pricing, detailed specifications and model line-up for the inbound hot-hatch will be confirmed closer to launch timing. TSAM also confirms that this model will be offered in limited quantities and that distribution will only be via GR-focused dealerships.