The GR Corolla is a dream come true but will it arrive in SA?
Toyota set social media laight recently with the unveiling of their latest high-performance hatchback, the GR Corolla. Following the success of the GR Yaris the performance arm at Toyota has decided to keep the energy alive with this hot Corolla. Here is what you need to know.
The Corolla has been around for a very long time and despite a few spicy offerings such as the infamous RSI, not much excitement has surrounded the Corolla. It has long been seen as an equal to an appliance. A machine designed to get you from point A to point B.In recent years, the Japanese giant has decided to inject some energy into the Corolla and the latest model sure does look the part of a sporty car.
It was only a matter of time until Gazoo Racing got their grubby little hands on the Corolla. That time came last week when they showcased their latest creation. The GR Corolla sprang to life based on the strong desire of Toyota President Akio Toyoda, a.k.a. Morizo, to “bring back a Corolla that captivates our customers”.
In response to that desire, the development of the GR Corolla carried forth the torch of making ever-better motorsports-bred cars, which focuses on honing cars to win races and making them commercially available. In concrete terms, the vehicle was comprehensively 'reforged' in the extreme environment of racing by participating in the Super Taikyu Series.
The GR Corolla boasts a strengthened version of the 1.6-liter in-line three-cylinder intercooler turbo engine found in the GR Yaris, resulting in a maximum output of 224kW. Optimizing the GR-FOUR 4WD system, which is also featured on the GR Yaris, to match the specifications of the GR Corolla was among various initiatives undertaken to create a car that can be safely and securely controlled even when pushing it to its limits.
While adopting the basic body framework of the Toyota Corolla Sport to enable it to inherit the high-speed stability of a long wheelbase, the GR Corolla employs a 60mm wider track up front and an 85mm wider track in the rear to command a high level of cornering performance. The result: sporty driving at will with peace of mind. And to complete the package, the GR Corolla retains a five-door, five-passenger layout for both exceptional usability in daily life and driving pleasure.
A short-stroke shift lever positioned for natural operation by simply lowering the arm from the steering wheel enables quick gear changes. A hand-operated parking brake has been used to allow better vehicle control even when pushing the car to its limits, such as when drifting. The Full TFT Meter, which was developed exclusively for GR models, has been newly adopted. Inspired by race cars and reflecting insight from professional drivers, the new display improves visibility during sporty driving.
Will it be coming to South Africa? We are not sure but we truly hope it does because the GR Yaris was well received, we are sure that this will be as well. Here’s holding thumbs that it makes it to our shores.
Also worth a look: the Toyota Everest and the Toyota Corolla Cross: Still King of the Crossover Castle?.
FAQ
Q: What does the GR Corolla cost in South Africa?
Toyota South Africa hasn't confirmed local pricing or availability for the GR Corolla yet, but if it does arrive, expect it to slot in around R650,000 to R750,000 based on international pricing and our local market positioning.
Q: Is the GR Corolla worth buying over the GR Yaris?
The GR Corolla offers more practicality with its larger size and additional doors while packing the same mental 224kW three-cylinder turbo engine, making it the better choice if you need space but still want to embarrass hot hatches at the traffic lights.
Q: Will the GR Corolla actually come to South Africa?
Toyota South Africa has been surprisingly good at bringing GR models locally, with the GR Yaris and GR Supra already here, so there's a decent chance the GR Corolla will follow, though nothing is confirmed yet.
Q: How fast is the GR Corolla compared to other hot hatches in SA?
With 224kW from its turbocharged three-cylinder and all-wheel drive, the GR Corolla should hit 100kph in around 5.3 seconds, putting it ahead of the Golf GTI and on par with the Mercedes-AMG A35.
Q: What makes the GR Corolla different from a regular Corolla?
The GR Corolla is basically a completely different car that happens to share some body panels with the regular Corolla, featuring a motorsport-developed chassis, all-wheel drive system, and a hand-built turbocharged engine that produces 224kW.
Should You Buy It?
Yes, if Toyota brings the GR Corolla to South Africa at an expected price of around R700,000, it could be the best practical performance car under R800,000 in the country. It combines the raw excitement of the GR Yaris with actual usability, offering four doors and more boot space without sacrificing the mental 224kW three-cylinder experience. For enthusiasts who need a car that can do school runs and track days with equal enthusiasm, the GR Corolla represents the perfect compromise between practicality and performance that South African buyers have been crying out for.
