TOYOTA

Hot lap: Toyota GR Corolla

Clearly, Toyota has redeemed itself. After a streak without manufacturing a single passionate car, the Japanese brand has turned the tables to give shape to a complete catalog with all kinds of alternatives for motor lovers. The Gazoo Racing sports division is in charge of developing this range.

The latest model to join is the Toyota GR Corolla, a 304 hp sports compact, all-wheel drive and manual gearbox that, unfortunately, will not reach Europe. At least for now. A few months after its presentation, it already has a price in the United States and we have been able to see it -and hear it- in action on the circuit.

The Toyota GR Yaris, the Toyota GR Supra and the Toyota GR 86 have just been joined by a fourth sports Toyota. It is called Toyota GR Corolla and it is the only one of the four that is not sold on our continent. Although its DNA could not be more Japanese, it has been developed for the United States, where its price has just been announced.

Three versions of the Toyota GR Corolla will go on sale over the next few weeks. The access version will start at $36,995, the Circuit variant will start at $43,995, and the special Morizo ​​Edition will start at $50,995.

If we convert to euros at the current exchange rate, they are 37,265 euros, 44,316 euros and 51,368 euros. It makes no sense to compare its price with the one it could have in Spain because the taxes in the United States have nothing to do with those in our country, but it doesn't hurt to know what its equivalent in euros is.

What we can do is compare the price of the Toyota GR Corolla in the United States with that of the Volkswagen Golf R in the same country: from 44,090 dollars (from 56,615 euros in Spain). It makes sense because, until the arrival of the new Honda Civic Type R, which is still priceless, the German is the main rival of the GR Corolla.

It should be remembered that the Toyota has a three-cylinder 1.6-liter turbo gasoline engine that develops 304 hp, all-wheel drive and manual gearbox. For its part, the Volkswagen uses a 2.0-liter four-cylinder gasoline block that delivers 320 hp, also with all-wheel drive, but with automatic transmission.

But, although the numbers are similar, the Toyota has a completely different approach. While the Golf is more versatile and bourgeois, the Japanese is designed for the circuit.

Already in the Circuit version it mounts two limited-slip differentials, variable torque distribution for the all-wheel drive system, Michelin Pilot Sport 4 tires and more capable brakes than those of the basic GR Corolla.

The Morizo ​​Edition goes further. This special series pays tribute to Toyota Chairman Akio Toyoda, known as Morizo. He is probably responsible for a more petrolhead brand and Toyota has seen fit to borrow his alias to name the most extreme version of the GR Corolla.

The result is a rally car that can drive on the street. In addition to having a gear knob signed by Morizo ​​and special suede and leather upholstery, it mounts Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tires and tightens the engine nuts to deliver 30 Nm more torque, up to a maximum of 400 Nm.

In addition, it is 48 kg lighter, so it weighs 1,445 kg. It achieves this by dispensing with interior insulation and rear seats, among other things. Instead, it adds a reinforcement bar between the rear suspension struts, like the one on the latest Mini John Cooper Works GP.

On paper, all this sounds great and leads us to think that we are facing one of the sports compacts of the moment, at least if we focus on those of general brands. Now, a video posted on Larry Chen's YouTube channel makes our teeth even longer.

You just have to listen to it to get an idea of how beast the new Toyota compact is. It must be remembered that what is hidden under the hood is the same three-cylinder mechanics of the Toyota GR Yaris.

It is true that the GR Corolla has 43 hp more, but it sounds much better than its little brother, with special mention to the role of the turbo every time it discharges pressure. Now we just need to pray that it reaches our market and we can see what it is capable of in the first person.

Mundoquatrorodas