Latest news with #Burnaston
Auto Express
a day ago
- Automotive
- Auto Express
Toyota GR Corolla hot hatch is on the way to the UK
Toyota is lining up its rally-bred GR Corolla for UK launch in the next 18 months, with the four-wheel drive hot hatch expected to join the much-lauded GR Yaris on UK roads. The Japanese brand has previously confirmed that the 296bhp Corolla will enter production at Toyota's UK plant in Burnaston, Derbyshire next year to help address lengthy global waiting lists, but is yet to say that the car, currently built only at a single factory in Japan, will be sold in Europe. Advertisement - Article continues below But talking exclusively to Auto Express, Toyota's European COO Matt Harrison dropped thinly veiled hints that British hot hatch fans won't be disappointed. '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,' he said. 'The gap between supply and demand is now, so it's about how quickly we can get it. We need to act fast.' 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. The GR Corolla was originally launched in 2022 in selected markets outside Europe, and it uses the same 1.6-litre turbocharged engine, four-wheel drive and torque vectoring system that has made the GR Yaris one of the hottest performance properties of recent years. Subject to the expected green light, prices for the GR Corolla are likely to kick off from over £40,000, although we'll have to wait until 2026 for full pricing and specification. Fancy a Corolla of your own? Take a look at our latest Toyota Corolla deals ... Find a car with the experts New Volvo EM90 2025 review: the ultimate SUV killer New Volvo EM90 2025 review: the ultimate SUV killer Volvo has made an ultra-luxurious van. Intrigued? You should be, but sadly it's for China only Smart Roadster could return as an electric Mazda MX-5 rival Smart Roadster could return as an electric Mazda MX-5 rival The Smart Roadster could be set for a comeback and our exclusive image previews how it could look New Audi Q3 reinvents the indicator stalk, but there's a whole lot more too New Audi Q3 reinvents the indicator stalk, but there's a whole lot more too Audi's not taking any risks with its all-new Q3; watch it sell like crazy
Top Gear
30-05-2025
- Automotive
- Top Gear
Toyota will build GR Corollas in the UK because of its ‘deep motorsport culture'
Toyota will build GR Corollas in the UK because of its 'deep motorsport culture' No confirmation if we'll be getting any GR Corollas ourselves, mind Skip 6 photos in the image carousel and continue reading Turn on Javascript to see all the available pictures. 1 / 6 Toyota will build the GR Corolla in the UK from 2026 partly to cope with demand, and partly because of our excellent motorsport culture and expertise as the primary reasons. Basically, Toyota reckons we're pretty good at building fast things. The GR Corolla will be manufactured at Toyota's Burnaston plant, near Derby, where the standard Corolla and Corolla Touring Sports models are currently being produced. Makes sense, considering the two cars share a few exterior panels and interior trim. Advertisement - Page continues below Something that certainly isn't shared is the engine: a punchy little 1.6-litre three-pot that also features in the equally punchy (and brilliant) GR Yaris. Which means 300bhp and 295lb ft, enough to chalk off 0-62mph in five seconds. (These GR engines are built in Toyota's Motomachi plant in Japan.) OK, we know what you're thinking: the GR Corolla's being built here, but we can't buy one. Well, Toyota has confirmed future markets and production volume strategy will be clarified over the coming months. And having acknowledged the UK's love for racy things, there's reason enough for us to be optimistic. Optimism that runs to the even racier GR Corollas Toyota's been working on... Advertisement - Page continues below Top Gear Newsletter Thank you for subscribing to our newsletter. Look out for your regular round-up of news, reviews and offers in your inbox. Get all the latest news, reviews and exclusives, direct to your inbox. Success Your Email*
Auto Express
30-05-2025
- Automotive
- Auto Express
Toyota GR Corolla to be built in the UK, but British buyers still can't have one
In an effort to keep on top of increasing demand for the hot GR Corolla, Toyota has announced the car will be built at its Burnaston plant in Derbyshire. There had been hopes the GR Corolla would become the fourth fully-fledged GR product to go on sale in the UK, after the GR Supra, GR86 and the GR Yaris, but Toyota has given no indication that it'll be added to the line-up. Advertisement - Article continues below The decision to bring GR Corolla production to the UK makes more sense when you factor in the car's long waiting lists in the US, plus increasing dealer mark-ups as a result of strong demand. The GR Yaris and GR86 both experienced high demand during their initial launches in 2022, with spots on waiting lists being sold for sums that reached four figures. Taking the slack off Toyota's Motomachi plant in Japan where the GR Corolla, GR Yaris and GR86 are manufactured, the Burnaston factory already exports 85 per cent of its production overseas and recently celebrated its five millionth car – a Corolla GR Sport Hatchback hybrid. The GR Corolla has had hot hatch enthusiasts excited since it was revealed in 2022. It uses the same three-cylinder 1.6-litre turbocharged engine as the 276bhp GR Yaris, but tuned to 295bhp. Like the GR Yaris, power goes to all four wheels through a torque vectoring system, and there's even been a choice of automatic or six-speed manual transmissions. Toyota says that preparations for the hot hatch's production line have been in place since 2024, although we expect the GR Corolla will be made on the same line as the standard car with new tooling added for the changes in bodywork and powertrain. Toyota says the first UK-built GR Corolla will roll off the factory floor in 2026. Commenting on the GR Corolla's production move, Yoshihiro Nakata, CEO of Toyota Motor Europe said: 'We are proud that TMUK, our first plant in Europe, has also been selected as the first overseas Toyota plant to produce GR vehicles in securing this expansion project for TGR worldwide. 'We really appreciate the historical support and recognition of the United Kingdom and would like to continue to contribute to UK society as a 'Best In Town' company.' Latest Toyota Corolla deals Now take a look at the best hot hatchbacks you can buy in the UK...
Motor 1
30-05-2025
- Automotive
- Motor 1
Confirmed: Toyota Will Make the GR Corolla In the UK
The rumors were true: Toyota will begin producing the GR Corolla in the United Kingdom starting in 2026. Preparations at the Toyota Motor Manufacturing UK (TMUK) plant actually began last year and will culminate with the start of production sometime next year. The Burnaston factory in Derbyshire will become the company's first plant outside Japan to assemble a full-fat Gazoo Racing product. It makes sense to build the car in the UK, considering Toyota already produces the regular hatchback and the not-for-America Corolla Touring Sports wagon at the same site. Since its launch in 2022, the GR Corolla has been exclusively built in Japan at the Motomachi Plant. Whether relocating some of the production to the UK indicates plans to sell the car in Europe remains unclear. For now, the three-cylinder compact car remains a forbidden fruit on the Old Continent. Photo by: Toyota Toyota has announced that it will reveal details about where the UK-built GR Corolla will be sold at a later date. The company will also share information on annual production volumes and reveal how much it's investing to prepare the factory for the flagship model's arrival. TMUK has been making cars since 1992, when the first Carina rolled off the assembly line. The Avensis sedan and Auris hatch were also made there. Toyota cites growing demand for the GR Corolla as the reason behind its decision to expand manufacturing. It also aims to 'deliver vehicles to customers as swiftly as possible,' and according to Reuters , the UK-made cars will be shipped to the United States. The world's largest automaker for the fifth consecutive year is reportedly spending up to $56 million to make it happen. Once production ramps up, as many as 10,000 vehicles are expected to be shipped to North America annually. It's worth noting that the Trump administration imposed a 25% tariff on vehicles assembled in Japan, while tariffs on UK-made cars have been reduced from 27.5% to 10% for up to 100,000 vehicles per year. Shifting production of US-bound GR Corollas to the UK would ease some of the tax burden, though it's unlikely current pricing will remain unchanged for long. Now might be the best time to buy one, unless you're holding out for the hardcore version Toyota recently teased. It'll have more torque than the standard car's 295 lb-ft (400 Nm), although it's unclear whether it will carry the GRMN badge or be a different kind of special edition. Expect a two-seat layout similar to the Morizo Edition. Stay Up To Speed With The GR Corolla: The 2025 Toyota GR Corolla Is Still the AWD Hot Hatch King How Toyota Made an Automatic Worthy of the GR Corolla Get the best news, reviews, columns, and more delivered straight to your inbox, daily. back Sign up For more information, read our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use . Source: Toyota Share this Story Facebook X LinkedIn Flipboard Reddit WhatsApp E-Mail Got a tip for us? Email: tips@ Join the conversation ( )
The Sun
28-05-2025
- Automotive
- The Sun
World's largest car maker hatching plans to invest £40 million in a new assembly line in UK
THE WORLD'S largest car maker are 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 £41 million 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 first car built at Burnaston, in December 1992, was the Carina E. A rock-solid family motor specifically designed and engineered for Europe, hence the 'E'. It cost £12,145. In a world largely dominated by Sierras and Cavaliers, Carina E won many customer satisfaction awards for its advanced petrol engines, superior build quality, reliability and cheaper running costs. Much like Corolla today. Inside Toyota's UK production plant as it builds five MILLIONTH motor since first Carina E rolled off the line in 1992 Corolla is king at Burnaston now. One is born here every 142 seconds — almost 400 a day, 7,000 a month. Hatchback, estate and van. All with efficient self-charging petrol hybrids produced at Toyota's Deeside engine plant. All with Toyota's brilliant ten-year warranty. If you want a car that does everything it's meant to do really well, get a Corolla. It won't let you down. Burnaston also produced big numbers of the Avensis and Auris over the years, but switched back to Corolla in 2019. Park all five million British-built Toyotas end to end and they'd stretch from London to Tokyo and back. Toyota had invested an eye-watering £240million to upgrade the Burnaston plant in 2017. The car manufacturer had said the investment would boost competitiveness and promote the use of locally built components. At the time, Business and Energy Secretary Greg Clark said: 'Our automotive sector is one of the most productive in the world and Toyota's decision to invest £240 million upgrading its Burnaston plant is a further boost to the UK auto sector. I also welcome the prospect of investment to take Toyota New Global Architecture into the supply chain. 'Toyota is one of the world's largest car producers and this inward investment underlines the company's faith in its employees and will help ensure the plant is well positioned for future Toyota models to be made in the UK. 'As we prepare to leave the EU, this Government is committed through our Industrial Strategy to ensuring the UK remains one of the best places in the world to do business and we are able to help businesses seize on economic opportunities.'
