Toyota GR Corolla to enter ASEAN market quickly; Thailand first, launch anticipated in December 2022

For followers of all-wheel-drive sizzling hatchbacks who missed out on the Toyota GR Yaris resulting from overwhelming demand for the AWD sizzling hatch, phrase has it that its massive brother, the GR Corolla will probably be coming into the ASEAN market by the top of this 12 months.

Particularly, the GR Corolla has been tipped to see its ASEAN launch in Thailand. Although a launch date has but to be divulged, it may very well be held on the 2022 Thailand Worldwide Motor Expo is about to be held in December, wrote Autoindustriya.

The ASEAN arrival of the Toyota GR Corolla might additionally coincide with the sixtieth anniversary of Toyota Thailand, and Indonesian information outlet Autonetmagz reported that Toyota president Akio Toyoda will journey to Thailand for the launch of the bigger of the 2 AWD sizzling hatches from the model.

Inbuilt the identical Motomachi plant because the three-door GR Yaris, the GR Corolla has been mentioned to be supplied in Thailand from an allocation of 10 models, although it stays to be seen if the tally is for a yearly allocation or for its preliminary launch roll-out, reported Autoindustriya.

Thailand has beforehand obtained 71 models of the GR Yaris, in comparison with Malaysia which had 127 models earmarked although UMT Toyota’s official determine was “beneath 200 models”, which leaves room for extra to be imported. By that comparability, might Malaysia obtain a bigger allocation of the GR Corolla, because the case was with the GR Yaris? Time will inform.

The GR Corolla shares a lot of its powertrain with the GR Yaris, together with its G16E-GTS turbocharged three-cylinder 1.6 litre petrol engine which makes 304 PS and 370 Nm of torque (272 PS/370 Nm for the Japanese-market GR Yaris), in addition to its GR-4 AWD system that gives a alternative of 60:40, 30:70 or 50:50 torque splits between its entrance and rear axles.

Differentiating the GR Corolla from the GR Yaris is the previous’s five-doors bodyshell tailored from the common Corolla Hatchback, albeit with added welding factors and structural adhesive and bracing for higher rigidity, whereas the GR Yaris makes use of a extra bespoke bodyshell.

Additional afield, the GR Corolla went on sale in the US in three variants; the Core which began at USD35,900 (RM161,550), and subsequent was the Circuit Version that was listed for USD42,900 (RM193,050). Hardcore followers might go for the restricted Morizo Version, which retailed at USD49,900 (RM224,550).

Regionally, the Toyota GR Yaris arrived in Malaysia in a single variant (with Efficiency Pack as customary) at RM299,000 OTR with out insurance coverage on the finish of 2020. Ought to the GR Corolla be confirmed for our market, what do you assume its worth will probably be?

GALLERY: 2023 Toyota GR Corolla