Toyota South Africa has confirmed that the GR Corolla hot hatch is coming to the local market in the second quarter of 2023, adding to the already impressive line-up of GR models available in the country. With the GR Supra, GR Yaris and GR86 already proving to be popular among driving enthusiasts, the GR Corolla promises to deliver high-performance turbocharged power, dynamic handling, and stylish looks that will surely turn heads on the road.
According to Glenn Crompton, Vice President of Marketing at Toyota South Africa Motors, the GR Corolla is a testament to Toyota’s philosophy of building fun-to-drive cars. The GR brand’s motorsport DNA ensures that driving enthusiasts get what they want: a car that is powerful, agile and dynamic.
Under the hood of the GR Corolla is a G16E-GTS 1.6-litre three-cylinder turbocharged engine, which has been further enhanced to suit the larger hatch. This engine delivers an impressive 221 kW of power, which is a 12% increase from its predecessor. The engine is mated exclusively to an intelligent six-speed manual transmission, which makes driving the GR Corolla an engaging experience. The car also employs the GR-Four all-wheel-drive system, which was developed through Toyota’s involvement in the World Rally Championship.
The GR Corolla is built on Toyota’s GA-C platform, which has been reinforced to handle the demands of a high-performance hot hatch. The car is manufactured at the Motomachi plant in Japan, which is also the birthplace of legendary cars such as the Lexus LFA and Supra A80. The Motomachi facility is also home to the first GR production line, where the GR Corolla and GR Yaris are assembled.
Toyota South Africa has confirmed that the GR Corolla will be offered in limited quantities and distributed through GR-focused dealerships. The pricing, detailed specification and model line-up for the GR Corolla will be confirmed closer to the launch timing.
The GR Corolla is an exciting addition to Toyota’s GR line-up in South Africa, which promises to offer driving enthusiasts a high-performance hot hatch that is both stylish and agile. With its powerful engine, intelligent transmission and all-wheel-drive system, the GR Corolla is sure to provide a thrilling driving experience. Toyota South Africa’s decision to offer the GR Corolla in limited quantities and distribute it through GR-focused dealerships only is a clear indication of the car’s exclusivity and desirability.
