Key changes over the regular Corolla include a three-cylinder 1.6-litre turbocharged engine with 296bhp and 370Nm of torque, a four-wheel drive and torque-vectoring system – all of which is shared in some respect with the GR Yaris. In some markets this year, Toyota is also bringing out tweaks to the GR Corolla with revised steering and suspension components to go with a choice of six-speed manual or eight-speed automatic transmissions.
The GR Corolla arrived in other markets two years after the GR Yaris, in 2022. When we drove the car in the US during its launch, we found the Volkswagen Golf R rival to be a real joy on country roads thanks to its chassis tuning and the amount of feedback from the steering combined with the clever torque distribution system.
The GR Yaris gained a bespoke three-door bodyshell to give aerodynamic benefits to the World Rally Championship car – which responded by winning the WRC title in 2022 and 2023. The GR Corolla retains the same five-door body as the standard car, but gains a heft of exterior tweaks, including 18-inch alloy wheels, beefed-up wheelarches, unique front and rear bumpers, a rear roof spoiler and a triple-exit central exhaust – something that might alleviate the broken hearts of Civic Type R fans.
Pricing hasn’t been announced just yet, although we’re certain the GR Corolla will be more expensive than the GR Yaris, which most recently started at £46,045. Hopefully Toyota’s new hot hatch won’t eclipse the mega-rare, one-of-10 Civic Type R Ultimate Editions, which are priced at £57,905.
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