2023 Toyota GR Corolla previewed in cryptic teaser
This is our first look at the new Toyota GR Corolla, with hints at its design, engine and power output.
Toyota USA has provided our first look at the hotly-anticipated 2023 Toyota GR Corolla hot hatch, with a new teaser previewing its design, engine and power output.
Posted to Toyota USA’s Instagram page, the image – which at first glance merely shows a standard Corolla hatchback’s interior – hides a number of clues pointing to the GR Corolla’s mechanicals, and one big visual clue in the background of Toyota’s image: a full-sized, camouflaged GR Corolla prototype.
Wrapped in the same red and black camouflage used on pre-production versions of the GR Yaris and GR Supra, the Corolla’s positioning in the photo means styling details are impossible to make out. However, five doors can be identified, as can Toyota’s ‘GR’ specific front fascia design.
The blurry background car is joined by a number of other clues, led by ‘G:16’ script in the instrument cluster, referring to the ‘G16E-GTS’ engine code of the GR Yaris model’s 1.6-litre turbocharged three-cylinder petrol engine – all but confirming the unit for the larger car.
The climate control panel lists ‘2’ and ‘68’, likely a reference to the 268 horsepower (200kW) power output quoted by Toyota for the GR Yaris – suggesting the GR Corolla could match its smaller sibling on grunt, rather than receive a bump to 221kW (300hp), as rumoured in Japan.
Finally, zooming into the satellite navigation screen reveals ‘GR Four’ text above the mapped road – the name of the switchable all-wheel-drive system employed by the Yaris, with 60:40 front-to-rear Normal, 30:70 Sport and 50:50 Track modes.
Little else is known officially about the new GR Corolla – however rumours suggest it will launch overseas in mid-to-late 2022, with an Australian launch likely to follow in the months after.
Japanese magazines report it will retain the standard Corolla’s five-door layout, but add wider front and rear arches housing new wheels and tyres, and the potential for the limited-slip differentials seen in the smaller GR Yaris.
A flagship ‘Rallye’ model could be offered in the US, with a lightweight, motorsport focus and just two seats – though this is yet to be confirmed.
For more details on what we know so far about the new Toyota GR Corolla, click here to read our full story.
Stay tuned to Drive for all the latest 2023 Toyota GR Corolla news.
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