Iconic hot hatchback with four-wheel drive FINALLY coming to UK after being sold for years outside of Europe

Scottish Sun

5 days ago

BETTER LATE Iconic hot hatchback with four-wheel drive FINALLY coming to UK after being sold for years outside of Europe
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A HUGE Japanese car firm has hinted that it is finally bringing its rally-bred hot hatch to the UK.
The long anticipated Toyota GR Corolla is expected to join the much loved GR Yaris on UK roads in the next 18-months.
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The new GR Corolla boasts a turbocharged 1.6 litre engine
Credit: Toyota USA
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A four-wheel drive system ensures every bit of power is used effectively
Credit: Carsite
With an impressive 296bhp the Corolla will enter production at Toyota's UK plant in Burnaston, Derbyshire.
The motor is expected to go into production next year in a bid to satisfy lengthy waiting lists.
However at present the nippy hot hatch is only built at one site in Japan with it yet to be confirmed for the European market.
Toyota's European COO Matt Harrison has hinted that British fans won't be disappointed though.
He spoke to Auto Express to say: 'We have a philosophy that you build where you sell, so to build in Europe and not sell in Europe would be counter to that.
'The gap between supply and demand is now, so it's about how quickly we can get it. We need to act fast.'
Originally launched in 2022 the GR Corolla was only sold in selected markets outside of Europe.
It boasts a minimal 1.6 litre engine but a turbo charger offers the car a healthy boost in power.
With its impressive 296bhp Toyota's answer to the Golf R comes close to matching the massive 315bhp offered by the 2 litre German model.
And the Toyota uses its power well, a four-wheel drive system ensures the motor uses the most of the horsepower available to it.
The souped-up Toyota Corolla GR
Full specs and pricing for the new Corolla are expected to be released some time next year.
Until then experts are estimating the motor will be priced around the £40,000 mark.
The Burnaston site was chosen as a site for manufacturing the GR Corolla because of its factory capacity.
Initial demand for the motor is expected to be relatively high and the UK site can offer the capacity to meet the demand.
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The motor is only available in selected global markets but could soon come to the UK
Credit: Toyota USA
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The GR Corolla has been hotly anticipated
Credit: Toyota USA
Not only this but the UK motorsport pedigree aligns well with the specialist nature of the hot hatch.
The rally bred motor offers a specific package of specifications to motorists.
It was reported earlier this year that the Japanese firm planned to invest £41 million into the Burnaston production site.
The investment could see production rates at the site significantly boosted to meet the expected demand for the new GR Corolla.