Toyota Corolla GR Sport revealed

The new-generation Toyota Corolla is branching out with a pair of new models confirmed ahead of their 2019 Geneva motor show debut in March: a sporty-looking hatch and a jacked-up wagon.

The Toyota Corolla GR Sport is not the hardcore turbocharged Corolla confirmed by one of the Japanese company's senior executives recently, but rather a cosmetic upgrade for the standard hatch.

It features machined 18-inch alloy wheels, a contrasting black roof and a sporty body kit, the latter comprising a new fascia, side skirts and rear bumper.

Within the cabin the Corolla GR Sport comes with sports seats featuring leather-accented bolsters, while overt red stitching is applied to the steering wheel, dashboard and gear shifter.

Powertrain specifications remain the same as for standard models, which means you choose either a 2.0-litre (125kW/200Nm) petrol engine or a 1.8-litre (90kW/142Nm) petrol-electric hybrid.

Toyota Australia spokesman Orlando Rodriguez said the Corolla GR Sport is unlikely to be offered in Australia because it doesn't offer any performance upgrades.

"This car is really not on our radar at the moment. When we launched GR, the first car was Supra and we want to offer vehicles with a noticeable performance increase."

Following comments made by Toyota Motor Corporation deputy chief designer, Toshio Kanei, confirming the existence of a turbocharged high-performance Corolla GR to rival the Golf GTI, Rodriguez said the Aussie operation's number one focus is full-blown GR models.

"This one is just aesthetics, so it's unlikely for Australia. The biggest thing for us would be a full-blown GR Corolla," suggested Rodriguez.

The GR (GAZOO Racing) high-performance sub-brand – think AMG to Mercedes, N to Hyundai etc – has plans to develop several new go-fast models, including a Toyota HiLux GR ute to rival the Ford Ranger Raptor.

The global juggernaut that is the Toyota Corolla will also spawn a high-riding wagon for the European market. However, those who fondly remember the 95 Series Corolla wagons from the late 1980s and early 90s, will be disappointed to learn that the Corolla Trek is front-wheel drive only.

Raised 20mm, the Corolla Trek features black wheel arch protectors to stop the bodywork getting scratched as it belts up dirt tracks. Along with 17-inch alloy wheels outside and two-tone cloth seats inside, not to mention faux timber highlights, the Toyota Corolla Trek wagon is a collaboration with Trek Bikes.

However Aussie motorists (and cyclists) are unlikely to get their hands on the new model because there are no plans to import the svelte Toyota Corolla wagon to Australia.

"The Trek is a Corolla wagon, which is a Europe-only proposition, so unless we do bring a wagon here it's not on the radar," stated Rodriguez.

Aussie Corolla models come from Japan, while the wagon is built in the UK for European markets, which traditionally buy wagons in much higher numbers than in Australia.

"It's a different production source [to the hatch] and it would need to be brought out of Japan if we were to take the wagon," said Rodriguez.

The Toyota Corolla Trek launched in Europe from August, while the Corolla GR Sport hatch is due to reach showrooms in the EU from early 2020.