First Toyota GR Corolla hot hatch outed again

The 2022 Toyota GR Corolla hot hatch has again been teased via the Japanese giant’s US social media channels.

A subtle post featuring Toyota’s long-awaited GR-fettled Corolla emerged on Toyota USA’s Instagram account overnight, revealing its aggressive new look – at least from the side and rear.

The first Toyota GR Corolla was used as a shadowy background prop in what otherwise appears to be an innocent post on the garden-variety Corolla.

Just like a similar interior post that immediately lit up the forums last week, this one also has tongues wagging.

Look closely and it appears as though the words ‘GR Four’ are emblazoned on the heavily-camouflaged prototype’s passenger-side doors.

As with the sold-out GR Yaris pocket rocket, the GR-Four badging all but confirms that all-wheel drive will again be a feature for Toyota’s newest GR project, which is also set to be powered by an uprated version of the same 1.6-litre turbocharged three-cylinder engine found in the small-but-potent Toyota GR Yaris.

It’s hoped Gazoo Racing will squeeze about 225kW of power and 400Nm of torque out of the engine for the GR Corolla, which could also offer an automatic transmission.

The tyre-shredding GR Corolla is set to debut next year but might not be seen in Australia until 2023, when it could potentially storm in with more power than the new Volkswagen Golf R – and pricing around $60K.

Toyota is yet to officially confirm the development of its fourth GR model after the Supra, Yaris and upcoming 86, but its arrival now appears a fait accompli – and Toyota Australia is typically well versed on the PR rhetoric.

“Australia loves hot hatches and we’ve always shown an interest in offering a high-performance Corolla locally, I’ll tell you that up front,” Toyota Australia sales and marketing chief Sean Hanley previously told carsales.

“While nothing has been officially confirmed on GR Corolla at this time, I can tell you quite categorically, if one were to become available from our global line-up in right-hand drive we’d be most definitely very keen to bring it here.”