Despite leaning on its HEV with the Ativ and EV with the bZ4X offerings lately, Toyota Motor Philippines is ending the year in a very big way and with a stonking hot hatch: the launch of the GR Corolla.
Announced by the carmaker via a shadowy teaser, the high-performance hatchback is set to arrive by the third week of December. It will be another addition to Toyota Motor Philippines’ growing Gazoo Racing performance line-up which includes the GR 86, GR Yaris, and the GR Supra.
No word on the Philippine specs, but globally, the GR Corolla features a torque increase of 30 Nm to an even 400 Nm from 3,250 rpm to 4,600 rpm. Maximum horsepower is pegged at 304 horsepower. It comes, at least in other markets, with a choice between a 6-speed manual or the 8-speed Gazoo Racing Direct Automatic Transmission. The two-pedaled setup should allow novice drivers to shift gears as quickly and efficiently as professional race drivers, Toyota says.
The GR-Four all-wheel drive system gets some tweaks too. The torque distribution, which is currently defaulted at 30-70 (30 percent front, 70 percent rear) will be changed to an even 50-50 split even when engaging Track mode. From here, the driver can variably adjust the split—ranging from 60-40 to 30-70 to suit their driving style and skill.
Enhancing the handling, the new GR Corolla stands to get even more structural adhesives—13.9 meters more than the current GR Corolla (32.7 meters total) enhancing the body rigidity even more.
This is on top of a heavily revised chassis with new shock absorbers with built-in rebound springs for improved vehicle posture control and inner wheel ground load characteristics. The trailing arm mounting point has also been raised to reduce sagging during heavy acceleration, while the rear coil springs and stabilizer bar have been revised to further improve grip.
Capping the changes is a more rigid steering column thanks to grooved washer bolts. Together with reinforcements to the instrument panel, it results in a more direct steering feel. The same grooved washer bolts also found in other parts of the GR Corolla such as the lower arms, lower ball joints, and rear shock absorbers.
Toyota Motor Philippines has yet to officially indicate a price, but it’s likely that the GR Corolla will be priced above the GR Yaris which is now priced starting at P 3,391,000 for the MT and P 3,550,000 for the AT.
better get Elantra N instead
ReplyDeleteHyundai Elantra N is a FWD turbocharged car and its direct rival is the Subaru WRX and not the Toyota GR Corolla
DeleteGR Corolla is turbocharged AWD 5 door hatchback meant to compete with the Honda Civic Type R which ended its production already.
Great replacement to the GR Supra which ends its production and sales next year.
ReplyDeleteMost likely the GR Corolla's prices are gonna be similar to the Nissan Z and Ford Mustang.
Expensive but exciting!!! GR for the win!!!
ReplyDeleteThe last GR cost 6 Million pesos so this one will be even more. You can buy a Corvette for that kinda money.
ReplyDeleteGR Supra was priced at 5.6 Million Pesos due to the vehicle is produced and sourced from Austria.
DeleteGR Corolla in manual and automatic variants are produced and sourced from Japan so expect it to be much more affordable ala Civic Type R and Nissan Z type of prices.
GReat!
ReplyDeletesadly this will be overpriced just like the GR yaris
ReplyDeleteThese kinds of cars are meant to be overpriced. Buy only if you can.
DeletePriced like a Nissan Z and Ford Mustang.
Delete