So, since the Supra got a revival, the guys at Tustin Toyota service thought it would only be fair that the Japanese car company gave a rejuvenation to their best-selling lineup, the Corolla.
There have been some suspicious rumors going around that Toyota is working on a high-performance version of the Corolla, which is going to be tuned by the car company’s performance-vehicle skunkworks division, Gazoo Racing.
Dealers near Tustin auto center point out that Toyota has already launched a GR-tuned version of its Yaris subcompact car in worldwide markets, which makes a GR Corolla very possible in the near future.
Undoubtedly, the fellows at Tustin Toyota service admit that the Japanese car manufacturer has been on a mission recently to add more frenzy to its lineup with its sportier offerings and more stylish designs, so a lot of car enthusiasts feel that it is the right time to bring in a hot hatchback. The sales representatives at Tustin Toyota service expert to see the GR Corolla in Toyota showrooms sometime in 2022.
For those of you who may be wondering, the GR stands for Gazoo Racing. Hence the fact, the new Corolla hatchback will be wearing the GR badge. This is going to be Toyota’s first sporty compact ever since the high-revving Corolla XRS from the mid-2000s. Also, the vehicle will kind of act as a way of amending the fact that many Americans are not too pleased about not receiving the cool rally-inspired GR Yaris. That car was based on the Yaris that is sold globally, except for the U.S.
Driving
The GR Corolla is going to be a new vehicle to the Toyota lineup for 2022 and will compete with other popular sports compacts on the market.
At the moment, no one is actually certain what standard or optional features Toyota is going to offer on the GR Corolla, but there has been some information that the starting price of the vehicle will be around $30,000. More confirmed information will be out when we get nearer to the car’s on-sale date, however, one thing that everybody is hoping to find on the spec sheet is a six-speed manual transmission.
When it comes to the GR Corolla’s engine, transmission and performance, Toyota has been very secretive about the details. Nevertheless, there is a strong indication that the vehicle is going to be equipped with a 257 horsepower 266 pound-feet of torque from a turbocharged three-cylinder from the GR Yaris, which is a hatchback that Toyota sells in worldwide markets outside of the United States. The GR Yaris’ engine will fit perfectly into the GR Corolla’s engine bay.
Normally, a six-speed manual is the transmission car company’s go for in a sport compact car, but an automatic gearbox could be available too. The front-wheel-drive feature will keep the GR Corolla at the same level as its rivals but a modified version of the GR Yaris’s all-wheel-drive system could also be possible.
The same TNGA underpinnings as the standard Corolla will be involved but upgraded with a stiffer suspension tune, bigger brakes, and larger wheels wrapped in grippy summer tires.
At the moment, examples of the Corolla, even the sporty SE, and XSE models don’t have any specific racy handling but upgrades to the suspension and chassis could make the GR Corla a genuine opponent in the sport compact car segment.
The prevailing Corolla is one of the most fuel-efficient options in its class. Therefore, some buyers may be thinking that a high-performance GR variant may not be as impressive in this metric, even when equipped with a three-cylinder engine. Nevertheless, it will still achieve decent fuel economy ratings. It is anticipated that the GR Corolla will get a highway rating of about 30 mpg.
Technology
The vehicle will be fitting out with an 8.0-inch infotainment display with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto will be standard and should also consist of Amazon Alexa capability and an onboard Wi-Fi hotspot. If you are eyeing a navigation feature, Toyota has made this an option on the GR Corolla. Also, an eight-speaker JBL stereo is expected to be available as well to replace a standard six-speaker stereo.
As for safety, the GR Corolla will receive most of its driver-assistance technology as standard on many of its lineup and it is expected to carry on to the GR Corolla. The key safety features of the 2022 GR Corolla include:
- Standard automated emergency braking with pedestrian detection
- Standard lane-departure warning with lane-keeping assist
- Standard adaptive cruise control
Comfort
Again, it is anticipated that the GR Corolla will have the same cabin features as the standard Corolla hatchback, which signifies good build quality, soft-touch materials, and lots of features, but with racier trim and sport seats.
Standard equipment is most probably going to include dual-zone automatic climate control, heated seats, and ambient interior lighting. Although it is widely assumed that Toyota is only going to offer the GR Corolla as a hatchback, it is not completely certain if Toyota is going to build a sedan version of the GR Corolla.
Overall
This is very exciting news for buyers who have been waiting for some form of amends from Toyota after not being able to purchase the GR Yaris in the United States.
Additionally, it seems Toyota is working around the clock to sway its reputation from boring, which unfortunately some people have that perception when they hear the Corolla name. However, just because it is a practical, safe and affordable vehicle, doesn’t mean it’s awful. It is just Toyota trying to accommodate those buyers who want a car that is inspiring.
So far, everybody is already head over heels excited that Toyota still offers the standard Corolla with a manual, but the 169 horsepower sporty XSE trim that sits in the sportiest spot in the line isn’t cutting the mustard for die-hard sporty car enthusiasts. A real high-performance version with a powerful engine and genuine chassis upgrades could make people think that the Corolla can be a cool car. That is why the Toyota Corolla GR is coming to America very soon. Watch this space!