Toyota GR Corolla to sell out fast

Australia’s initial allocation of Toyota GR Yaris hot hatches was limited to 1000 units and sold out in less than a week – and the upcoming Toyota GR Corolla could be in even shorter supply.

When the red-hot 220kW turbocharged all-wheel drive Corolla hatchback arrives Down Under in the fourth quarter of 2022, carsales sources suggest supplies will be far more limited than the 1000 units some reports claimed, at “closer to 500 units for the first year’s run”.

Does that mean the wide-body 2023 Toyota GR Corolla, pricing for which is yet to be revealed, will be gone in 60 seconds? Anything’s possible in today’s supply-constrained new-vehicle market, but one thing is certain – it will sell out quickly.

It’s also likely a similar online sales strategy used to sell the GR Yaris will be employed for the combat-ready Corolla too.

“Toyota is still figuring out [its GR Corolla sales strategy], but online is more likely to make it fairer for all involved,” said our source.

There’s little doubt the first global high-performance version of the world’s best-selling car will be popular given Toyota’s successful GR (Gazoo Racing) brand launch, with well-polished performance models like the Yaris and Supra well-received by critics and consumers.

However, Toyota is unlikely to discount the GR Corolla like it did with the GR Yaris, whose $39,990 drive-away price helped sell an entire year’s allocation in less than a week.

The GR Yaris has been so popular, even at its higher full-time price of $49,500, that Toyota was forced to close the order book for the rally-inspired pocket rocket because it couldn’t meet customer demand in a timely manner.

Heavier but more powerful than the GR Yaris, the new GR Corolla is also larger and more practical with a five-door layout that could see Volkswagen Golf R buyers take notice.

Pumping out 220kW of power at 6500rpm and 370Nm of torque over 3000-5550rpm from its bespoke GR-developed 1.6-litre three-cylinder turbo-petrol engine, the stove-hot Corolla pumps power to all four wheels through a six-speed manual gearbox.

An automatic transmission is expected to arrive later in the vehicle’s life cycle to add wider customer appeal.

Toyota’s latest second GR-badged hot hatch shares a lot in common with its cousin, the GR Yaris, such as its 18-inch cast alloy wheels fitted with 235/40R18 Yokohama Advan Apex V601 tyres, and both front and rear Torsen limited-slip differentials.

But it’s unlikely to share the GR Yaris’ circa-$50K price. A sticker closer to or potentially above $60,000 is more likely.

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