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Toyota. Currently the largest car manufacture in the world, had become a brand no longer associate with exciting drivers cars the last few years. However, all that has been changing of late. Something has been going on in the company ever since the grandson of the original founder, Mr. Akio Toyoda - happens to be a huge race car fan - became chairman in 2009. In 2016, he set the framework for what would become the GR Yaris - which has literally been called the most exciting hot hatch all century. On the 1st April and no April Fools, they premiered the GR Corolla version becoming the latest which has been extensively tested for over 1 year until the announcement.
Drift machine. Drool machine.
World Record Power Output - from just 3 cylinders and 1600cc.
The GR Corolla goes on sale later in 2022 and is powered by the same highly powerful 3 cylinder G16-E turbocharged 1.6 engine as the GR Yaris, yet it's output is something else. This time with even more power - 300 horses and 273ft/ln torque under the hood. 100bhp per 533cc cylinder, incredible. That means specific output per liter at 187 is actually higher than a Bugatti Chiron Purr Sport, but in a hot hatch from Toyota. Respect.
Stopping power
Brakes the size of family pizzas. Sat within the 18 inch wheels at the front are 4-piston, 14 inch (!) ventilated and slotted discs, and 11.7-inch, 2 piston ventilated on the rear. Rally and race car stuff. There's all the usual modern Toyota safety onboard also of course, Toyota Safety Sense having even more capabilities now such as motorcycle detection.
Toyota Safety Sense features a newly developed set of five active technologies – Pre-Collision System or Pre-Collision System with Pedestrian Detection, Lane Departure Alert, Automatic High Beam, Road Sign Assist, Adaptive Cruise Control. (Toyota).
Toyoda family doesn't just put the next eldest son at the helm of the company. They have to earn the place, and Akio Toyoda is no exception. He has a masters degree in business finance from the USA, and worked his way up through the company. On the way however, he did something 'behind closed doors' and that was to develop a racing division - GAZOO (which loosely translates as ' the look' or 'the image' in Japanese). This is a great story in itself, however skipping ahead - Akio becomes the CEO, and the first thing he did? Laid down a years long roadmap for the worlds biggest car brand to STOP MAKING BORING CARS. Yes, there is a mastermind bringing the Toyota heritage into the modern age. Soon we'll likely cover more on Gazoo Racing, today is a brief introduction with the fabulous looking new sports car announced yesterday.
'Heavy Metal' exclusive paint option on the limited number Circuit Edition
The 2022 GR Corolla will go on sale later this year.
Donuts are play in the GR Corolla
The interior looks to be a great place to be also. The driver gets a digital screen for the dash with bold and clear readouts, plus the central infotainment system. Android Auto and ioS CarPlay compatible.
GR Corolla interior
Relief for USA Gazoo Fans.
The GR Yaris having a waiting list of 18 months, which means fans will be happy that there is now an alternative to consider. The car will be available in many markets and not just the USA. The reason for holding the event in America is the GR Yaris is not sold there, but this one will be.
Carbon roof on the limited number launch version called 'Circuit Edition'
Past Masters, Classic Options
It's been a long time since any real rally style cars were launched for the road, and Toyota do have past experience - the all wheel drive system is derived from the Celica GT4. Classic alternatives for a blast from the past also include Subaru Impreza WRXs and various Mitsibishi EVOs, from I - X, the earlier collectable WRC holomogation special road cars are the ones to look for. Or go Italian with a Lancia Delta Integrale, one of the earliest of all wheel drive rally derived hot hatches. We'd add Audi Quattro somewhere also, but that would just be too obvious and expensive.
Conclusion
Very exciting times at Toyota, with their new sports car the Gazoo Racing legend will be something revered for many decades to come, and builds on a long heritage of Toyota sports cars. No doubting the GR Corolla will be just as well reviewed as the GR Yaris, and both are not future yet almost instant classics. A car prepared to this extend for strength and stability is a good thing for the entire range, as it feeds R&D into making all Toyota cars ever better. This makes the GR cars highly relevant as part of the goal of their long term engineering strategy. Good times for fans of the brand and their return to true drivers cars, it's a welcomed one.
The video below is the premier ceremony which took place in America yesterday.
GR Corolla launch premier
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