GR Corolla: This is how much Toyota’s new 221kW hot hatch costs in SA

The GR Corolla is set to touch down in South Africa imminently and the local arm of the Japanese carmaker has released pricing for the hot hatch.

But before we get to the numbers, it’s a good reminder that performance car fans are spoilt for choice in the hatch arena. The Toyota GR Corolla will attempt to ruffle the feathers of the Volkswagen Golf R and the recently launched Honda Civic Type R.

ALSO READ: Toyota Supra: We have pricing of the new more powerful manual version

THE TOYOTA GR COROLLA IS POWERED BY THE WORLD’S MOST POWERFUL THREE-CYLINDER ENGINE

Right, let’s get to those numbers. According to the Japanese carmaker’s website, the GR Corolla will be available in two guises: the ‘entry-level’ Core variant will cost R816 500, and the better-equipped Circuit model priced at R876 100.

The four-wheel-drive hot hatch shares its 1.6-litre turbocharged three-cylinder engine with the GR Yaris, however in the larger hatch the engine has been tweaked to deliver 221kW and 370Nm. Toyota only offers the GR Corolla with a six-speed manual transmission.

According to IOL, in terms of specifications the GR Corolla rides on 18-inch wheels and the Circuit model features a carbon-fibre roof. The higher-spec model employs a Torsen limited-slip differential on the front and rear axles.

On the infotainment front, a six-speaker sound system and seven-inch touchscreen is standard on both models. The Circuit model is fitted with a heads-up display unit.

THE NEW HOT HATCH IS BUILT IN THE SAME FACTORY THAT PRODUCED THE ICONIC LEXUS LFA

The performance model is built on Toyota’s GA-C platform with enhanced frame reinforcements developed specifically for the GR Corolla at the Motomachi plant in Japan.

The Motomachi facility is the birthplace of legends such as the Lexus LFA and Supra A80 and is now home to the first GR production line, where the Golf R rival and the GR Yaris are assembled.