Toyota has unveiled the updated GR Corolla, the performance version of the compact hatchback. Now the car can be ordered with an automatic transmission.
Toyota delighted car enthusiasts when it launched the GR Yaris, but that model never made it to North America, leaving fans there with a strong desire for such a hot hatch.
To offer overseas customers such a car, Toyota took the drivetrain used on the GR Yaris and transplanted it to the Corolla. This is how the GR Corolla was born, a car that uses the same 1.6-liter, three-cylinder engine, but also the all-wheel drive system found on the GR Yaris.
Now, the car has undergone a facelift and like the GR Yaris, it gets the option of an 8-speed automatic transmission. This should make the model more attractive to a wider audience compared to cars available exclusively with manual transmissions.
Facelift for Toyota GR Corolla – Automatic gearbox makes its way into the range
Toyota has also made some changes to increase the performance of the car. For example, the engine now produces more torque (400 Nm), while the maximum output of 300 hp has been retained. In addition, cars equipped with the new automatic transmission benefit from Launch Control, but Toyota did not specify what the acceleration times are.
In addition to the automatic transmission and the extra torque produced by the engine, Toyota engineers have worked on the way the car handles. New springs were fitted, but changes were also made to the anti-roll bars. All models now get limited-slip differentials on both the front and rear axles.
The aesthetic changes are not very big, but the GR Corolla got a new front bumper. Changes have been made to achieve better cooling, so we see oversized intakes that allow a larger volume of air to pass through.
Three versions will be available exclusively in the North American and Canadian market: GR Corolla Core, GR Corolla Premium and GR Corolla Premium Plus.
Source: www.promotor.ro
