Toyota GR Corolla gets an 8-speed auto transmission
The Toyota GR Corolla may be late to arrive to the slowly diminishing hot hatch fold but it brings with it highlights of how serious the brand is about bringing fun back to driving.
When it arrived, it immediately became a hot hatch in the truest sense of the segment recipe. It also proved to be a formidable competitor at our 2023 Speed Week, thanks to a superb 6-speed manual, a lively 1.6-litre 3-cylinder turbo petrol engine and amazing driving dynamics.
Even with that, Toyota believes that there’s demand for automatic transmissions to cater to those who prefer the convenience and ease of an automatic vehicle, hence it’s adding an 8-speed automatic torque-converter transmission to the range. Alongside this new transmission, Toyota has also implemented several performance enhancements, including an increased torque output and improved aerodynamics.
While the engine continues to produce 221kW of power, the torque figure has been increased from 370Nm to 400Nm sent to all fours via the brand’s GR-Four all-wheel-drive system thus making the GR Corolla a formidable contender against the VW Golf 8 R, Audi S3 and Honda Civic Type R.
As for the performance enhancements, Toyota has added a fluid cooler to keep the transmission at an optimal temperature for better performance. The suspension has also been tweaked, thanks to the addition of rebound springs and the front and back for better stability while the rear coils and stabilizers have been upgraded.
Aesthetically it looks similar to the manual-shifting variant but upon close inspection, one will notice the newly designed front bumper, improved brake ducts and a new air curtain construction for better airflow around the wheels.
The interior exudes a new dark, sporty vibe, courtesy of updated trim finishes on flat surfaces and switches throughout the vehicle, steering wheel-mounted paddle shifters, an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster, and the latest Toyota Safety Sense 3.0.
While the 6-speed manual variant remains our top choice for its exceptional engagement, the addition of the automatic transmission from the GR Yaris is a valuable addition to the range, offering convenience and ease of use.
At this stage, Toyota SA hasn’t confirmed the local availability of the automatic GR Corolla, however, it’s expected to go on sale in overseas markets in the coming months.
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