Subaru WRX officially on notice.
Toyota has unveiled the 2023 Corolla GR, a new turbocharged, all-wheel drive hot hatch ready to take the fight to the Subaru WRX.
A leak earlier in the day confirmed a few of the details, but now, Toyota has released the full specs, plus a glut of fresh photos.
Outside, the 2023 Toyota Corolla GR looks every inch like a proper hatchback, with a flared-out stance and a number of functional air vents and aero features. "GR-Four" is seen in side skirts, LED lighting is used front to back, and a slick triple-exhaust treatment finishes the rear end.
Follow the pipes and you'll find the turbocharged 1.6-liter three-cylinder G16E-GTS, the same gasoline engine powering the GR Yaris. However, in the new 2023 Corolla GR, the G16E-GTS is tuned to produce 300 horsepower at 6,500 rpm and 273 pound-feet of torque at 3,000 rpm, eclipsing the Yaris' 268 ponies and 266 pound-feet.
The turbo 'three mates to a six-speed manual with automatic rev matching, as well as the rally-bred GR all-wheel drive system, another component shared with the GR Yaris. The all-wheel drive's front-to-rear torque is customizable via three onboard settings, split 60-40, 50-50, or 30-70, as desired.
Making the traction is Michelin's Pilot Sport 4 rubber sized at 235/40 and wrapping 18-inch gloss-black 15-spoke cast alloy wheels. Braking is courtesy of 14-inch ventilated and slotted rotors squeezed by 4-piston aluminum calipers up front, plus 11.7-inch ventilated rotors with 2-piston aluminum calipers in back.
Under the bulging bodywork is Toyota's GA-C platform. Curb weight hits at 3,249 pounds.
The 2023 Toyota Corolla GR will be available in two trims, including the Core and the Circuit Edition, the latter of which is exclusive to the 2023 launch year. Pricing information is still forthcoming.
The Core Grade will be available later this year. Exterior colors include white, black, and Supersonic Red, with a color-keyed roof, rear lip spoiler, and GR-branded fabric upholstery rounding out the highlights.
Meanwhile, the 2023 Toyota Corolla GR Circuit Edition will be offered in white, Supersonic Red, and Heavy Metal, and will also throw in a forged carbon fiber roof, a vented hood, and a rear spoiler, plus suede-trimmed sport seats with red accents and an exclusive shift knob.
Also of note is a complimentary 1-year membership to the National Auto Sport Association (NASA), which gives owners access to a High-Performance Driving Event (HPDE) and expert instruction to get the most from their rally-bred hatchback - all good stuff.
Stay tuned, as we'll be diving into more hot hatch awesomeness very soon.
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