Toyota GR Corolla Is a 300-HP Rally-Bred Hot Hatch

The Toyota GR Corolla uses a turbocharged, direct-and-port injected 1.6-liter inline three-cylinder engine.The hot hatch comes exclusively with a six-speed manual transmission that feeds the standard all-wheel-drive system.Toyota says it plans to have the GR Corolla on sale before the end of 2022 as a 2023 model.The Toyota GR Yaris doubled down on Toyota’s push for more exciting cars and gave a perfect excuse to continue the World Rally Championship. Unfortunately for hot hatchback fans in the US, Toyota isn’t going to bring the wild GR Yaris from overseas: People just don’t buy enough small hatchbacks to warrant the cost. But Toyota isn’t leaving American hot hatch fans totally in the lurch: The folks at Toyota have stuffed the three-cylinder heart of the rally-bred GR Yaris into a Toyota Corolla Hatchback.In the GR Yaris, this 1.6-liter turbocharged three-cylinder makes 257 hp and 266 lb-ft of torque, but it’s not enough for the GR Corolla, which will generate 300 hp and 273 lb-ft of torque with the same engine. The G16E-GTS engine, as Toyota calls it internally, is exclusively mated to a six-speed manual transmission, which then feeds the GR-Four all-wheel-drive system. Paying homage to the legendary—and somewhat infamous—Celica GT-Four, the GR-Four AWD system helps get all that rowdy power to the pavement and it’s also adjustable. Toyota will let you pick the front/rear torque split with the simple turn of a dial: 60/40, 50/50, or 30/70. Toyota integrated Torsen limited-slip differentials in the front and rear housings on GR Corolla Circuit Edition models. Unfortunately, these will be limited-run models, Toyota says. More From Toyota Toyota Makes a Supra Drift Autonomously Toyota Electrifies Its Tundra Full-Size Pickup The 2023 Toyota Sequoia Comes in Hybrid Form Only This hot hatch gets more than just power. Toyota says additional welds and structural adhesives give the GR Corolla a lot more more rigidity over the standard Corolla Hatchback. The front suspension is still a pair of MacPherson struts, though they now have model-specific springs, dampers, and stabilizer bars. Controlling the rear wheels is a double-wishbone, multi-link suspension, similarly tuned.Brakes are beefier, too. Bringing this GR Corolla to a stop are four-piston calipers in the front and two-piston jobs at the rear, clamping rotors that measure 14 inches up front and 11.7 inches in back. These brakes slow down the 18-inch alloy wheels wrapped in Michelin Pilot Sport 4 (235/40R) tires.All this technology hides underneath a slightly restyled Corolla shell, augmented by special front and rear fascia and a widened body. Functional vents in the front bumper, as well as other vents peppered throughout the body, help move air where it’s needed for cooling.Toyota engineers needed to shed weight from the standard Corolla, so they opted for lighter materials. The aforementioned Circuit Edition features a forged carbon-fiber roof and power-dome hood. The standard GR Corolla doesn’t get the special roof but does see an aluminum hood. Of course, it wouldn’t be a proper hot hatch if it didn’t have a large rear spoiler. Toyota will build the GR Corolla in its Motomachi Plant in Japan. Toyota Inside, the cockpit is configured for aggressive driving. In front of the driver is a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster with loads of information, like which all-wheel-drive mode you’re in, your boost pressure, and engine speed. Beside the digital gauge cluster is an eight-inch infotainment touchscreen.Along with the manual gear selector, the GR Corolla sports a manual parking brake handle to help better control power slides. Fabric-covered sport seats are standard, but those get upgraded to Brin Naub suede and synthetic leather coverings in the Circuit Edition.If you miss out on the limited-edition Circuit model, Toyota is offering option packages that help bridge the gap between the models. The aptly named Performance Pack gives you the Torsen limited-slip differentials. The Cold Weather package nets you heated seats, and the Technology package gives you the optional JBL sound system.The GR Corolla is designed for fun but still comes with driver-assistance tech. Dubbed Toyota Safety Sense 3.0, your Toyota hot hatch will come with features such as lane-departure warning with steering assist and a pre-collision system as standard equipment. The GR Corolla also nets you adaptive cruise control and automatic high beams.Now, this Corolla will be a jolt to the Toyota lineup, while giving the sport compact and hot hatch world a new competitor. But how about price? Toyota isn’t talking sticker yet—expect that information when sales begin later this year. That said, we can look at similar cars and assume this is going to be near those. Volkswagen’s Golf R starts at $44,640. Hyundai’s front-drive-only Veloster N runs you $33,545. Considering the added expense of AWD and the wild engine, we’re expecting this to start north of $40,000.