2023 Toyota GR Corolla
Toyota is ramping up its South African portfolio with the introduction of this: the hot, AWD GR Corolla!
The GR Corolla will make its local debut in the second quarter of 2023, expanding the Japanese automaker’s GR offering to four when it joins the GR Supra, GR Yaris, and GR86.
“We can safely say Toyota’s philosophy of building fun-to-drive cars is clear to see. With the GR brand’s motorsport DNA, the new GR Corolla promises to deliver on just what driving enthusiasts’ really want – high-performance turbocharged power, agile and dynamic handling, and of course the looks to match,” says Glenn Crompton, Vice President of Marketing at Toyota South Africa Motors (TSAM).
Powerful three-cylinder engine
While Toyotas of yore may be seen as appliances, the brand’s recent products are anything but! The GR offering is exciting, enticing, and wildly involving to drive.
For the GR Corolla, Toyota’s famed 1.6-litre three-cylinder petrol engine from the GR Yaris is placed under the bonnet, with power increasing by 12% to 221kW. And yes, power is sent to the (WRC) World Rally Championship-developed all-wheel-drive system via a six-speed manual transmission.
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If this gearbox is anything like the one in the GR Yaris, then lucky owners will have no problem utilizing their left foot and flicking through the smooth-yet-mechanical gearbox.
Pricing and specifications will be confirmed closer to the launch. Toyota also confirmed that the GR Corolla will be imported in limited numbers and distributed via GR-focused dealerships only.
