Launching a new vehicle under embargo must be a stressful endeavor for all those who are involved on the OEM side.
Take the Toyota GR Corolla. The brand has been so careful to build up interest via teases, and has plans to take the wraps off tonight — and it all got spoiled by some careless management of the company’s consumer Web site.
We’ll write up the official unveil tomorrow, but the key specs and features should match what the leak reveals. That means the car will have a 1.6-liter turbo-four (UPDATE: It’s probably a three-cylinder. My bad.) with 300 horsepower and 273 lb-ft of torque, a six-speed “intelligent” stick (we’re not sure what that means — maybe rev-matching?), all-wheel drive with a torque split that can range from 50/50 to 30/70 (percent) front to rear, Michelin Pilot Sport 4S tires, front and rear Torsen limited-slip differentials, three drive modes (normal, sport, and track), functional exterior vents for aerodynamics and cooling, a different gauge cluster, a forged carbon-fiber roof, a vented hood, matte black 18-inch wheels, and Ultrasuede and synthetic leather-trimmed seats.
Expect to see those same specs and more listed when the actual wraps come off. For now, gaze upon the car in all its unhidden glory.
[Images: Toyota]
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“That means the car will have a 1.6-liter turbo-four with 300 horsepower and 273 lb-ft of torque”
The engine is actually a 3 cylinder.
That’s gonna be one crazy three.
…with one crazy markup.
Brain cramp, I even wrote that the other day! The leak said “1.6” without a cylinder count and I went right to four-banger town. I will fix.
“We’ll write up the official unveil tomorrow”
Lol, one of you guys can’t stay up until 10:30?
Probably said this before, but 300 hp from a three-cylinder sounds…frenetic?
It’s way too boy racer for my tastes, and I predict it’s going to be pricey. But maybe this prompts Toyota to do more sporty stuff with the Corolla line, which I like quite a bit. How ’bout something more along the lines of a GTI/Civic Si for $30k? GTI-level performance and Toyota reliability might be tempting.
Sorry, Toyota. Your heyday in sport compact cars ended in 1999. Onward to EV’s.
Forward, Soviet!
When I build and market a tank it will have no reverse gear.
[Insert Buzz Lightyear quote]
But what about your Trifecta Tuned Buicks you fnckhead. I hear they actually make gas and do zero to 60 in 12 parsecs
@Art Vandelay, if you are TTAC’s new hockey-style Enforcer, you might want to clarify exactly who you are calling names – it would help your effectiveness. (Spray and pray is wasteful)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Enforcer_(ice_hockey)
Fair enough ToolGuy.
That was at Norm.
I figured the “Trifecta Tune” stuff gave it away, but not everyone has been here as long as I have I guess.
A few of the features in the leak are tied to the Launch Edition. Launch Edition will add a forged carbon fiber roof, vented hood, matte-black 18-inch wheels, and seats trimmed in suede and synthetic leather. A front and rear Torsen limited-slip differential and upgraded brakes are exclusive to the Launch Edition.
You can’t get upgraded brakes / LSDs as an option later? That’s totally FUBARED. I’m not going to pay $25K ADR for a launch model, and yet, if there’s any chance I’d get this as replacement for my Stinger (not the greatest track support), it would HAVE to the good brakes and LSDs.
The LSDs are available on the basic (Core) trim as a part of the Performance Package option. The Circuit Edition (not called “Launch Edition”) has red calipers but the braking hardware is not different between the trims.
The Circuit Edition exclusives are a carbon fiber roof, different hood, different rear spoiler, different seats, a different shift knob, and a different paint color.
pressroom.toyota.com/heat-for-the-streets-
toyota-debuts-first-ever-gr-corolla/
This looks to be a quality effort by Toyota. I don’t see anything to complain about. Pricing and production numbers are of interest. High MSRP & “Market Pricing” may ruin it.
For my needs an automatic is a must have. Perhaps the 8 speed automatic will show up later. No response from the cult of manuals needed. My elbow and knees won’t tolerate shifting anymore after decades of military service and firefighting.
No apologies required.
I don’t miss driving a manual one bit, and I haven’t even done your service.
Anyway, my EV’s regen acts like engine braking, and our new car’s dual clutch transmission is basically a computerized manual. Maybe this car will eventually offer a DCT or regular Auto at some point.
yeah, well, swing and a miss for me. After 4+ years with VW’s DSG, I consider something like that to be a requirement in this space.
DSG or GTFO.
“…it all got spoiled by some careless management of the company’s consumer Web site.”
It totally doesn’t matter. Mfrs have an outsized ego about this stuff.
“Splash” died along with the auto show.
I can’t imagine buying one of these.
I desperately want to drive it. A neurotically laggy hyper-boosted three, a stick, and a likely ~3000 lb. curb weight sound like an absolute hoot.
This may be related to the recent news from Subaru (owned 20.02% by Toyota) that a a new design WRX STI is not coming to market.
This Toyota looks like angry white car. What Toyota is angry about? Where is colorful Neon when you need one?
Ugh…must not unload paid for toy for new toy…
Seriously, I want one
Unfortunately, they’ll sell out immediately, the markups will be huge, and they will never depreciate.
It’s going to be fun. I’d love to have one.
Toyota might finally be getting a pulse again and regain some of their swagger they had with the Supra/Celica/MR2 1990s. Keep the price sane, keep it fun, and keep it reliable and they will have VW and Honda conquest sales. I guess we can look at the 86 as a distant Celica relative, the Supra is back, and now this. Now where’s the new MR2??? There’s a market for them – MX-5 sales have been solid especially after the global lockdowns as people wanted to get out and have some fun and they started with their car.
And 300hp from an I-3…really???
This appears to be Toyota’s answer to the Honda Civic Type R. Very similar to it.
Car and Driver is *hoping* the price starts in the low 30s. They’re usually pretty accurate when they say such things.
If this GR starts under $35k, that’s going to be great deal. (yes markup, yes scarcity, I know)
It’s all going to obviously depend on how many they make. If it’s limited production, either by design or due to chip shortages, it is going to be like the last Civic Type-R.
Actually probably worse. Some joker on BaT dropped something like 42 grand on a 1991 Golf GTI that had past history of damage. Not even low mileage. So if this thing has limited availability, I could see the price going into the stratosphere in this climate. I’m talking 60 to 70,000. I hope that Toyota thought this through and is going to make enough units. If not, it will be a disaster and create a lot of bad will. I guess we’ll see.
My Evo was $34K..in 2005. I’d be shocked if this was under $38K or so. Plus, huge ADM obviously.
Going by just the spec sheet everything looks pretty fantastic. Hopefully Toyota is getting some of its mojo back. I just wish was a little more toned down in the looks dept, a bit more like a civic sport.
So it is a type R with AWD and both port and direct injection…..win!
drool worthy…ICEs going out with a BANG.
They are not going out, prole private asset ownership is what’s dwindling.
I am embracing my prole role. (Perhaps on a temporary basis, perhaps longer [don’t tell my spouse]). It’s rather liberating.
Anyway, that Toyota GR Corolla up there is more like Moyenne bourgeoisie level.
Yeah, the more I think about it, the less likely I am to believe that average people are going be able to get their hands this. Unless you scored some PPP funds, you’ll have to admire this one from afar, and close your eyes from the driver’s seat of your Rav-4 and pretend.