Latest news with #GRCorolla
Miami Herald
2 hours ago
- 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.
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
Auto Blog
08-06-2025
- Automotive
- Auto Blog
Is a GRMN Corolla on the Horizon? Toyota Teases a More Powerful, Track-Focused Hot Hatch
Toyota's motorsport division, Gazoo Racing, turned the otherwise basic Corolla into the fiercest five-door you can buy. And the best may still be yet to come. A recent interview suggests Toyota's hottest hatch might get hotter The GR Corolla has had a pretty warm reception since debuting back in 2023, but the automaker hasn't rested on its laurels. Continuous improvements for the 2024 model year include new exterior paints and lightweight wheels for the Circuit Edition, as well as the addition of a quick-shifting eight-speed automatic transmission and increased torque for the 2025 model year. According to the car's Chief Engineer, Naoyuki Sakamoto, more power may be coming to the car soon. That is, if they can prevent the test vehicles from breaking for long enough to put the power down. Previous Pause Next Unmute 0:00 / 0:09 Audi A5 replaces A4: So, what's changed? Watch More 2025 Toyota GR Corolla 2025 Toyota GR Corolla 2025 Toyota GR Corolla Finding power hasn't been easy with the GR Corolla, but Toyota seems determined In an interview with Motor1, Naoyuki Sakamoto talks about the trials and tribulations of optimizing the GR Corolla's turbocharged three-cylinder engine. 'We tried to increase engine power with the TCR Corolla,' he starts, referring to the race version of the GR Corolla, 'then we broke [the car].' Testing the car extensively at California's Sonoma Raceway, so far, hasn't yielded results that the automaker is happy with. 'Hopefully, we can come to a measure to increase power, and eventually, with that planning, it can come to the production Corolla,' Sakamoto told the publication. It's an interesting policy shift for the automaker that has generally avoided adding power to even its sportiest offerings. The GR Supra saw a power bump after the first year of production, from 335 to 382 horsepower, but that was over five years ago. The GR86's engine continues to make 228 horsepower, as it has since the current generation debuted back in 2022. One potential reason for this is that the GR Corolla (and elsewhere in the world, GR Yaris) is, interestingly, the only GR offering that actually uses a Toyota-built powertrain. The former borrows an inline-six from BMW, while the latter uses a Subaru boxer. Toyota GR Corolla Development Vehicle Toyota GR Corolla Development Vehicle The GR Corolla is quick, but it's all relative, as the car makes less power than its rivals Although the 300-horsepower GR Corolla is certainly no slouch, competitors bring the heat, too. The Civic Type R, arguably the GR Corolla's closest rival, makes 315 horsepower and 310 pound-feet of torque. The Type R's platform-mate, the Acura Integra Type S, makes 320 horsepower. The Golf R makes 328 horsepower and 310 pound-feet of torque. Notice a trend? There are also rumors of an even toastier version of the GR Corolla, the GRMN Corolla, but rumors of a similar GRMN Supra have persisted nearly as long as the car's current generation with no follow-through. That said, that car didn't use a Toyota engine. Autoblog Newsletter Autoblog brings you car news; expert reviews and exciting pictures and video. Research and compare vehicles, too. Sign up or sign in with Google Facebook Microsoft Apple By signing up I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy . You may unsubscribe from email communication at anytime. Final thoughts Whether Toyota is cooking up a spicy GRMN Corolla or just looking to dial things up a bit on the regular GR Corolla we know and love, it's a win for enthusiasts. Don't forget, back in February, we learned that Toyota is sticking with ICE and manuals indefinitely, which means R&D spent on the GR Corolla's three-cylinder is, potentially, a long-term investment. It's all good news here — and we can't wait to see what's next for Toyota's rowdy little hatchback. About the Author Steven Paul View Profile
Miami Herald
08-06-2025
- Automotive
- Miami Herald
Is a GRMN Corolla on the Horizon? Toyota Teases a More Powerful, Track-Focused Hot Hatch
The GR Corolla has had a pretty warm reception since debuting back in 2023, but the automaker hasn't rested on its laurels. Continuous improvements for the 2024 model year include new exterior paints and lightweight wheels for the Circuit Edition, as well as the addition of a quick-shifting eight-speed automatic transmission and increased torque for the 2025 model year. According to the car's Chief Engineer, Naoyuki Sakamoto, more power may be coming to the car soon. That is, if they can prevent the test vehicles from breaking for long enough to put the power down. In an interview with Motor1, Naoyuki Sakamoto talks about the trials and tribulations of optimizing the GR Corolla's turbocharged three-cylinder engine. "We tried to increase engine power with the TCR Corolla," he starts, referring to the race version of the GR Corolla, "then we broke [the car]." Testing the car extensively at California's Sonoma Raceway, so far, hasn't yielded results that the automaker is happy with. "Hopefully, we can come to a measure to increase power, and eventually, with that planning, it can come to the production Corolla," Sakamoto told the publication. It's an interesting policy shift for the automaker that has generally avoided adding power to even its sportiest offerings. The GR Supra saw a power bump after the first year of production, from 335 to 382 horsepower, but that was over five years ago. The GR86's engine continues to make 228 horsepower, as it has since the current generation debuted back in 2022. One potential reason for this is that the GR Corolla (and elsewhere in the world, GR Yaris) is, interestingly, the only GR offering that actually uses a Toyota-built powertrain. The former borrows an inline-six from BMW, while the latter uses a Subaru boxer. Although the 300-horsepower GR Corolla is certainly no slouch, competitors bring the heat, too. The Civic Type R, arguably the GR Corolla's closest rival, makes 315 horsepower and 310 pound-feet of torque. The Type R's platform-mate, the Acura Integra Type S, makes 320 horsepower. The Golf R makes 328 horsepower and 310 pound-feet of torque. Notice a trend? There are also rumors of an even toastier version of the GR Corolla, the GRMN Corolla, but rumors of a similar GRMN Supra have persisted nearly as long as the car's current generation with no follow-through. That said, that car didn't use a Toyota engine. Whether Toyota is cooking up a spicy GRMN Corolla or just looking to dial things up a bit on the regular GR Corolla we know and love, it's a win for enthusiasts. Don't forget, back in February, we learned that Toyota is sticking with ICE and manuals indefinitely, which means R&D spent on the GR Corolla's three-cylinder is, potentially, a long-term investment. It's all good news here - and we can't wait to see what's next for Toyota's rowdy little hatchback. Copyright 2025 The Arena Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
The Citizen
07-06-2025
- Automotive
- The Citizen
PODCAST: GR Sport model gives new Toyota RAV4 serious punch
Toyota RAV4 GR-S will produce 235kW of power which is more than the GR Corolla. Toyota last month rolled out the all-new RAV4 in the United States, a key market for the C-segment SUV. Believe it or not, the Toyota RAV4 outsold the popular Ford F-150 bakkie in the US last year. Toyota South Africa Motors (TSAM) confirmed that the all-new sixth-generation RAV4 is heading for Mzansi without disclosing an exact date. The RAV4's local case is quite an interesting one. Despite Toyota's booming reputation, it is outsold by the pricier Fortuner. And at the other end of the scale, it also plays second fiddle to the Urban Cruiser. ALSO READ: Wait over: Say hello to the all-new Toyota RAV4 Toyota RAV4 makes a Pitstop In this week's episode of our Pitstop podcast, we look at the local prospects of the new Toyota RAV4. The C-segment, which also features the likes of the VW Tiguan, Kia Sportage and Hyundai Tucson, has been heavily populated by Chinese products over the last few years. The all-new Toyota RAV4 will for the first time only feature electrically assisted engines. The Core and Sport model ranges in the US are all powered by the 2.5-litre petrol engine from before hooked up to single motors and battery pack. These models pump out 166kW of power in the States, which goes up to 174kW on all-paw variants which feature a second electric motor. GR Sport gets GRRRR One model South African enthusiasts will hope TSAM brings in is the GR Sport, the range's only plug-in hybrid vehicle. This time around, it won't be exclusive for the Japanese and European markets only. The Toyota RAV GR-S is fitted with the same free-breathing 2.5-mill as its siblings. It also features twin electric motors which are powered by a 22.7kWh battery pack. The GR-S punches out a system total of 235kW which makes it more powerful than the GR Corolla The Citizen Motoring raced in the GR Cup last year. It is claimed to reach 100km/h from a standstill in a very respectable 5.8 seconds.
