Toyota has released the official pricing and specifications for its new hot hatch, the GR Corolla, in South Africa. The GR Corolla will be available in two trim levels: Core and Circuit. Both will be powered by a turbocharged 1.6-litre, 3-cylinder petrol engine with 221 kW and 370 Nm delivered to all four wheels via a 6-speed manual transmission. The GR Corolla 1.6T Core will cost R816 500, while the GR Corolla 1.6T Circuit will cost R876 100.
High-speed adaptive cruise control, dual-zone climate control, a 12.3-inch multi-information display, a 7-inch infotainment screen, a reversing camera, wireless smartphone charging, parking sensors (fore and aft), 18-inch alloy wheels (wrapped in 235/40 R18 tyres), and Toyota’s Safety Sense Package are standard on both the Core and Circuit models.
The flagship Circuit variant of the GR Corolla differs from the base Core derivative in that it has a limited-slip differential on each axle, as well as a CFRP (carbon-fibre reinforced plastic) roof that lowers the vehicle’s centre of gravity. The Circuit model is also available in Midnight Grey, a colour not available on the Core model (which is available in Glacier White, Raven Black, or Fierce Red), and has a gloss-black grille. It also has some additional standard features, such as a head-up display and synthetic leather/suede upholstery (rather than cloth).
While there is no direct local rival for the Toyota GR Corolla, the all-wheel-drive but automatic-equipped Volkswagen Golf R, priced at R912 800, is a strong contender, as are the front-wheel-drive Volkswagen Golf GTI (R766 500), Hyundai i30 N (R795 900), and Renault Mégane RS 300 Trophy (R949 999), all of which use a dual-clutch transmission. Meanwhile, the brand-new FL5-generation Honda Civic Type R starts at R979,000 and comes standard with front-wheel drive and a 6-speed manual cog-swapper.
The G16E-GTS turbocharged 1.6-litre, 3-cylinder petrol engine in the GR Corolla 1.6T Core and Circuit delivers an impressive 221 kW and 370 Nm to all four wheels via a 6-speed manual gearbox. While Toyota SA Motors has not yet released an official 0-100 kph time for the GR Corolla, the similarly equipped version of the hot hatch in Australia completes the obligatory sprint in around 5.3 seconds, with a top speed of 230 kph. The claimed combined fuel economy figure for both models is 8.4 litres per 100 km.
In terms of warranty and servicing, both the Core and Circuit models come with a 3-year/100,000-kilometer warranty and a 9-service/90,000-kilometer service plan with 10,000-kilometer intervals.
The Toyota GR Corolla’s all-wheel drive and manual transmission combination are sure to excite driving enthusiasts. While it does not have a direct local competitor, it is a compelling alternative to the automatic-equipped Volkswagen Golf R and other dual-clutch transmission options. With only a limited number of these high-performance hot hatches available in South Africa, enthusiasts will need to act quickly to secure one.
