Toyota GR Corolla previewed

Eagle-eyed Toyota enthusiasts have pulled some cool details out of what appears to be an otherwise innocent photograph posted by Toyota USA.

The photograph was uploaded to the brand’s Instagram page, and it wasn’t long before diehard fans on the GR Corolla Forum confirmed that the car wasn’t just a regular model, but the incoming 2022 Toyota GR Corolla.

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

We already know it’ll use an uprated version of the same 1.6-litre turbocharged three-cylinder found in the small-but-fierce Toyota GR Yaris, with hopes Gazoo Racing will squeeze around 225kW of power and 400Nm of torque out of the engine for Corolla.

In the official photo posted to social media, ‘G:16’ can be seen within the driver’s instrument cluster, confirming the car is fitted with the 1.6-litre turbo triple (G16E-GTS).

Through the side window, the deserted landscape also features a camouflage-clad GR Corolla test mule, which appears to be travelling full pelt across the dirt, leaving plumes of brown dust in its tracks.

And if that’s not enough, the central touch-screen also displays a road named ‘GR Four’, which in Toyota-speak means all-wheel drive – exactly what the GR Corolla will get.

The cabin doesn’t appear overly sporty, with no red highlights or Alcantara materials in sight.

But we’ll reserve judgment until we get a better look, and a first drive, when the long-awaited high-performance Corolla draws closer to production.

“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’s sales and marketing chief, Sean Hanley, last 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.”