MANILA: A document posted in the GR Corolla Forum suggests that the first batch of Toyota's hot hatchback should be ready for sale in the US starting October 2022. 

Toyota USA has not yet released the official prices of the GR Corolla, but the country's media has estimated the prices to start at US$32,000 (around P1.758 million today). 

Under the hood of the GR Corolla resides the 1.6-liter turbocharged engine from the GR Yaris — tuned to make more power than the latter with 304ps and 370Nm.

Like the GR Yaris, the GR Corolla engine features a valve-equipped triple-exhaust muffler that reduces both exhaust pressure and noise. In sum, the engine provides overwhelming acceleration and a more-pleasant extension of RPMs.

The GR Corolla will only be available with a manual transmission, staying true to its rally racing origins.

The basic body framework of the Toyota Corolla Sport has been adopted and, while retaining the excellent driving stability provided by a long wheelbase, high-speed cornering performance has been improved by widening the track by 60mm up front and by 85mm in the rear.

The GR Corolla's GR-Four four-wheel drive system uses an electronic multi-plate clutch to provide variable front and rear driving force, like in the GR Yaris.

This time, however, the system's "4WD" mode, which controls driving force distribution, and its "Drive" mode, which controls accelerator response, steering, and others, have been separated to enable selection according to driver preference and the driving environment.

Two trim levels will be available: Core and Circuit Edition.

The Core Grade will be rolled out later this year. It will come in three color variants: white, black, and Supersonic Red. It will also feature a color-keyed roof with a rear lip spoiler, GR-Four stamped side rockers, and wide fender flares. On the inside, GR-logoed fabric sport seats will accommodate up to five people.

The Circuit Edition will be a limited-edition variant, which will be launched in 2023. White, Supersonic Red, and Heavy Metal are the standard colors. It is also equipped with the same GR-Four stamped side rockers and wide fenders as the Core. It has a forged carbon fiber roof, vented bulge hood, and sporty rear spoiler, as well as Brin Naub suede-trimmed sport seats with red accents and a Morizo-signed shift knob that is only available during the launch year. 

Both grades come standard with push-button GR engine start/stop, aluminum sport pedals, two USB charging ports, one 12V auxiliary power outlet, lighted foot wells, front console tray, and rear console box. On the Circuit Edition, Qi-compatible wireless smartphone charging with a full charge indicator light is standard, while on the Core Grade, it is part of the Technology package.

Toyota Safety Sense 3.0 (TSS 3.0) is also standard on all GR Corolla grades, and it features upgrades made possible by system sensors with enhanced detection capability. 

Photos from grcorollaforum.com, Toyota

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