Alex Laperriere
The information for Toyota’s upcoming GR model has leaked, and the news is good. It comes in the form of a performance edition Toyota Corolla Hatchback, and it’s dubbed the GR Corolla.
And it’s arguably everything we ever wanted- though there is a catch. Nonetheless, take in these figures: the Corolla GR Hatch is set to make 300 horsepower and 273 lb-ft of torque. Power will be sent to all 4 wheels through Toyota GR’s GR-Four AWD drivetrain which is capable of doing either 50-50 power distribution or 70-30 power distribution.
What’s even better is that the GR Corolla Hatch comes with a 6-speed manual transmission. And per the leaked report from Toyota, it comes exclusively with a manual transmission. This car is turning into the hatchback everyone ever wanted, so far.
The Catch
Nonetheless, there is a catch. Oddly enough, it’s not the price- that much hasn’t been revealed to us yet. The engine is actually the shocker. One would maybe guess that it would be a 6-cylinder or a 4-cylinder, but it is none of the above. In fact, it is a 1.6L 3-Cylinder Turbo.
So then, we have ourselves a 300 horsepower, AWD, manual transmission hot-hatch with a turbo-3 cylinder. Surely, this was done to keep the price of the GR Corolla Hatch on the low side- but will the gamble pay off?
Beyond the 3-Cylinder
There are some interesting details for the GR Corolla besides just raw power. For one, the Launch Edition Corolla Hatchback comes with a forged carbon-fiber roof, a vented hood, and matte-black 18-inch wheels. Oh, and Ultrasuede and synthetic leather-trimmed seats.
Otherwise, some differences between the regular Corolla Hatch and the GR version include a revamped grille, flared fenders, a rear diffuser, and PLENTY of functional ventilation vents.
The GR Corolla Hatch comes equipped with Michelin Pilot Sport 4s tires to keep the GR Corolla Hatch glued to the road. Those who get the launch edition can also get front and rear Torsen limited-slip differentials and upgraded GR brakes.
What Do We Think?
Well, this certainly isn’t a disappointment. More details will launch later tonight when the GR Corolla officially debuts, but until then, this leak will have to do. This leak is from Toyota’s website, and these photos come from Toyota, so it is plausible information. Until then, we can only dream of how this hatch will do in the real world.
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