Latest news with #ToyotaEurope
Auto Express
01-07-2025
- Automotive
- Auto Express
Toyota GR Corolla hot hatch heading to the UK: here's what to expect
We might be waving goodbye to the Honda Civic Type R and Ford Focus ST this year, but Toyota looks set to raise the spirits of hot-hatch enthusiasts in the UK because it's about to bring the GR Corolla to our showrooms. We can expect to see the rally-bred GR Corolla launched here within the next 18 months, which isn't much of a surprise after Toyota announced it would build the hot hatch at its plant in Burnaston, Derbyshire to help address lengthy global waiting lists. '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,' Toyota's European COO Matt Harrison told Auto Express. 'The gap between supply and demand is now, so it's about how quickly we can get it. We need to act fast.' Advertisement - Article continues below The Burnaston site was chosen because, as well as its factory capacity, the UK has motorsport expertise that aligns with the specialist nature of the low-volume performance hatchback. 'The GR Corolla is bespoke, it doesn't go through the normal processes', Harrison told us. While the current-generation Corolla has been built at Burnaston in standard guise since its launch in 2019, the GR Corolla's significant performance-related changes will require adjustments to the tooling on the Derbyshire plant's production line.
TimesLIVE
24-06-2025
- Automotive
- TimesLIVE
Toyota reveals 48V hybrid boost for Land Cruiser
Toyota Europe has unveiled a new 48V hybrid version of the Land Cruiser (known as the Land Cruiser Prado in markets such as South Africa and Australia), aimed at improving the model's environmental credentials. Much like the Hilux Hybrid 48V, this system pairs the existing 2.8 l four-cylinder GD-6 turbodiesel engine and eight-speed automatic transmission with an electric motor-generator, a lithium-ion battery and a DC-DC converter. As with Toyota's full hybrid electric systems, the battery charges during deceleration by recovering braking energy, which also improves braking performance. Once charged, the hybrid system can send up to 12kW and 65Nm through the motor-generator to assist the engine, enhancing acceleration, power and overall efficiency. The system's components have been designed and positioned to cope with harsh conditions, so off-road capability remains unaffected — including a 700mm water wading depth. TimesLIVE is awaiting confirmation from Toyota South Africa on whether this powertrain will be introduced to the local Land Cruiser Prado range.
The Sun
23-06-2025
- Automotive
- The Sun
Iconic hot hatchback with four-wheel drive FINALLY coming to UK after being sold for years outside of Europe
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. 4 4 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. 4 4 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. World's largest car maker hatching plans to invest £40million in a new assembly line in UK The world's largest car maker is planning to invest a whopping £40million for a new assembly line in the UK. The Toyota plant at Burnaston could be in line for a major investment, as the company weighs moving production for the US market from Japan to Derbyshire. The car maker plans to invest around £41million to set up a new production line dedicated to making GR Corollas, according to Reuters. Toyota has denied that Trump tariffs are behind the potential shift, despite taxes on Britain being 10 per cent compared to Japan's 25 per cent. In light of the potential move, Japanese automaker Toyota revealed that new cars could be added to the European market. Currently, the GR Corolla is only available in Japan and is exported to North America and select other markets. Burnaston plant currently produces the Corolla hatchback and estate for the UK and European markets, but production rates could significantly improve with the proposed investment. A new production line could be operational within 12 months, with reports suggesting that Japanese engineers may temporarily relocate to Derbyshire to assist with the transition.
The Drive
21-06-2025
- Automotive
- The Drive
You're Welcome, Europe: US Demand for Toyota GR Corolla Could Bring It Overseas
The latest car news, reviews, and features. Dear Europe: You're welcome. After years of importing your best performance cars, we're finally returning the favor from the other side of the pond—indirectly, anyway. Because while Toyota doesn't build the GR Corolla in North America, our demand for it has been so overwhelming that the company has decided to add another production line in the U.K., predominantly for American export, to supplement the hot hatches Toyota churns out of its Motomachi plant in Japan. At first, it seemed like these U.K.-built cars wouldn't be offered for local sale, which would've been a grave injustice. But now, a Toyota executive has hinted that might not be the case. '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,' Toyota Europe COO Matt Harrison told Auto Express last week. 'The gap between supply and demand is now, so it's about how quickly we can get it. We need to act fast.' That's about as big a confirmation as you'll ever hear anyone with the letter 'C' in their job title drop, without it counting as a done deal. It's also the first time Toyota has officially indicated it would like to bring the hot hatch to the continent, where, let's be honest, rallying is given the respect it deserves. The Celica GT-Four and Corolla WRC are the reason why the GR Yaris exists, and the GR Corolla happened because Toyota didn't want those of us who don't get a Yaris of any flavor to miss out entirely. The interior of a 2024 Toyota GR Corolla. Nico DeMattia The GR Yaris is undeniably cool, but it's also very tiny. I'll admit that when I first learned Toyota was planning to sell a GR version of the Corolla stateside, I was disappointed. Of course, America gets the bigger, heavier version of the same car without the direct link to a WRC contender. But I came around and, having lived with mine for roughly a year and a half now, I don't know how I could've made the Yaris work anyway. The GR Corolla has a somewhat cramped interior as it is, so I can't begin to imagine the games of grocery store Tetris that Yaris owners have to play from time to time. Plus, it's still a riot. We've reached out to Toyota Europe personnel for a bit more insight into Harrison's comment, and will update this story with whatever we learn. In the meantime, Europe, I hope you enjoy the hot hatch it sounds like you'll be getting. I think you will. Got a tip? Email us at tips@
Miami Herald
20-06-2025
- Automotive
- Miami Herald
Toyota's Next Corolla Cross Could Get Prius-Like Makeover
From the GR Corolla to TRD-badged large SUVs, Toyota has several new models for all kinds of enthusiasts, be it those who enjoy track days or adventure junkies who prefer off-roading. However, there are a few cheaper Toyotas that still give off the dependable-but-entirely-unremarkable vibe many still associate with the brand. One such Toyota is the Corolla Cross, the smallest Toyota crossover in America. Based on comments by a Toyota exec, this model's bland design is hurting sales in certain markets. He strongly hinted at the need for a more exciting future design, as well as a look unique to major markets, to drive more interest in the Honda HR-V rival. In Europe, sales of the Corolla Cross were down by 14% across the first four months of 2025, whereas the more evocative C-HR (not currently sold in the USA) saw sales rise by 9.6% over the same period, relative to 2024. "We don't have the perfect Corolla Cross for Europe, in the sense it's a global model," said Andrea Carlucci, head of product strategy and marketing at Toyota Europe, when speaking with Auto News. "If we bring more European zest, sales will be up." He specifically suggested that designing a single model to cater to both Japanese and American tastes has come at the expense of what Europeans want. The next Corolla Cross, then, could get unique designs for Europe and the USA. It wouldn't be the first time a major model gets a unique design for these two regions - Honda already sells a Euro HR-V that looks completely different to the American one. To address the crossover's lack of personality, a new GR Sport trim was recently introduced for Europe. Around the same time, the US-spec Corolla Cross got a more aggressive design, but it's still not as interesting as a Hyundai Kona or Chevrolet Trailblazer. Carlucci's comments suggest that the next Corolla Cross will receive a much sportier design, and as we've seen recently with the Prius, Toyota has the ability to quickly transform a nameplate from bland to glam. In America, the current Corolla Cross has a 169-horsepower engine. Paired with a CVT, acceleration is both languid and boomy. Take the Mazda CX-30, for example; its base model makes 191 hp, and the conventional six-speed automatic also makes for a sportier driving experience. Then again, Americans don't seem to be as sensitive to the Corolla Cross's ordinary look. In the first quarter of 2025, sales of Toyota's smallest SUV in this market were up by 45.2% relative to 2024. The popularity of the 196-hp hybrid helps, too - it's one of the most efficient crossovers around, and isn't as slow as the base model. But Toyota has clearly not yet unlocked the potential of the Corolla Cross. If the next gen could mix a Prius-like makeover with hybrid-only powertrains (as the 2026 RAV4 has done), it could become yet another best-seller for the company. We don't expect to see the second-gen Corolla Cross before 2027. Related: This Is The Cheapest New Toyota Car In America Copyright 2025 The Arena Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
