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GR Corolla vs Civic Type R

14260 Views 47 Replies 6 Participants Last post by  Haskins
With the GR Corolla's turbocharged three-cylinder engine and six-speed manual (same setup in the GR Yaris) capable of producing around 300 horsepower, along with other features like all-wheel-drive, it means the the Civic Type R won't be alone for long. That is, when Toyota confirms the GR Corolla specs like 0-60, 1/4 mile, engine, horsepower, torque, suspension, drivetrain and many others. While we wait, take the GR Yaris of a very clear example of how Toyota executes these days ;)
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There's no way it would have the same powertrain as the Yaris. Would definitely require a turbo 4-cyl.
There's no way it would have the same powertrain as the Yaris. Would definitely require a turbo 4-cyl.
I would prefer that too because well, there's no replacement for displacement.

Its just what I see being reported everywhere which is believable, if Toyota has plans for either a higher performing Corolla trim or GR model above the Corolla. At 257 horsepower and 266 pound-feet of torque it fall behind the Civic Type R by 50 horses, a deal breaker for many, including myself. Heck, I rather buy a USED Type R if that's the case.

Mind you, this is all speculation coming from some automotive publications. My hope is the GR Corolla's performance matches the Type R.
I would prefer that too because well, there's no replacement for displacement.

Its just what I see being reported everywhere which is believable, if Toyota has plans for either a higher performing Corolla trim or GR model above the Corolla. At 257 horsepower and 266 pound-feet of torque it fall behind the Civic Type R by 50 horses, a deal breaker for many, including myself. Heck, I rather buy a USED Type R if that's the case.

Mind you, this is all speculation coming from some automotive publications. My hope is the GR Corolla's performance matches the Type R.
I guess it's possible... I just find it hard to believe.

Toyota has committed to some great sports cars lately, but they have all been partnerships to save money.

I guess they already have the Corolla platform... so why not build a badass version?
it's not supposed to be a Type R competitor, they want to go after the Civic Si and the Golf GTI. Much higher volume than the Type R market. Hell, without the Type R name, nobody would buy a 40K Civic.
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it's not supposed to be a Type R competitor, they want to go after the Civic Si and the Golf GTI. Much higher volume than the Type R market. Hell, without the Type R name, nobody would buy a 40K Civic.
That was my impression as well, though if they want to go after the Type R I'm not going to say no.
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It looks like the GR Corolla is going to come with the 3-cylinder engine that's in the Yaris. At least from what Car and Driver is saying.

A hot-hatch version of the Corolla is coming soon wearing a GR badge (for "Gazoo Racing"). It'll be Toyota's first sporty compact since the high-revving Corolla XRS from the mid-2000s. This car also will serve as an apology to Americans who are upset that we're not getting the awesome rally-inspired GR Yaris. (That car is based on the global Yaris, while the U.S.-market Yaris is a rebadged Mazda 2.) The GR Corolla should land in 2022, with a starting price around $30,000.

The GR Corolla will use the mighty turbocharged hamster wheel from the GR Yaris that pumps out 257 horsepower and 266 pound-feet of torque from just three cylinders displacing 1.6 liters. We wouldn't count on the GR Yaris's all-wheel-drive system making it stateside, but Toyota will have to offer a six-speed manual transmission in order for the GR Corolla to be considered a driver's car.

The same TNGA underpinnings as the standard Corolla will be in play, but upgraded with a stiffer suspension tune, bigger brakes, and larger wheels wrapped in grippy summer tires.

Toyota is working hard to shed its reputation for being boring—a perception that is closely tied to the Corolla name. We appreciate that Toyota still offers it with a manual, but the 169-hp pseudo-sporty XSE that currently occupies the sportiest spot in the line just isn't enough. A true high-performance version with a strong engine and legitimate chassis upgrades could convince people that a Corolla can be as cool as a Volkswagen Golf GTI.
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it's not supposed to be a Type R competitor, they want to go after the Civic Si and the Golf GTI. Much higher volume than the Type R market. Hell, without the Type R name, nobody would buy a 40K Civic.
That makes a lot of sense. Civic Type R is stupid expensive. I mean, it's technically worth it... but hard to justify.
That makes a lot of sense. Civic Type R is stupid expensive. I mean, it's technically worth it... but hard to justify.
I disagree that it's worth it. All it's competitors are AWD. The only reason the Type R is slightly faster than the Golf R is because it comes with better and wider tires standard. it only weighs 100 lbs less than the golf. I bet that if you put them on the same tires the AWD would more than make up for the small power and weight disadvantage. And let's not pretend the Civic is anywhere close to the Golf's build quality.
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I think the performance speaks for itself. I've driven all of its competitors and only the Focus RS is a comparable car. The Golf R isn't very engaging or as fast.

Friends of mine worked on this.

(Or is this an older Golf R... I can never tell them apart)
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I disagree that it's worth it. All it's competitors are AWD. The only reason the Type R is slightly faster than the Golf R is because it comes with better and wider tires standard. it only weighs 100 lbs less than the golf. I bet that if you put them on the same tires the AWD would more than make up for the small power and weight disadvantage. And let's not pretend the Civic is anywhere close to the Golf's build quality.
A Type R with AWD would be a blast to drive if Honda ever did that. Hopefully Toyota does it with the Corolla though.
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Yea, but Honda loves FWD too much... for some reason.
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I think the performance speaks for itself. I've driven all of its competitors and only the Focus RS is a comparable car. The Golf R isn't very engaging or as fast.

Friends of mine worked on this.

(Or is this an older Golf R... I can never tell them apart)
Looks like their Golf R didn't have DCC (Dynamic Chassis Control) which is standard now. DCC eliminates any understeer.
I definitely agree that without DCC the Golf R isn't as sharp as the Type R and the RS. Then again no performance oriented person would buy it without DCC.
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Toyota is teasing that the GR Corolla will be coming to the US instead of the Yaris.

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Toyota is teasing that the GR Corolla will be coming to the US instead of the Yaris.

If it can be equally as intense as the Yaris in this segment then Toyota will have a real winner on their hands. Just maybe not one as intense as the next-generation Civic Type R that's said to offer more power via a new hybrid powertrain. But at least the days of the Celica GT-Four and similar serious enthusiast geared vehicles are coming back!

More on the 11th Generation Type R:
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If it can be equally as intense as the Yaris in this segment then Toyota will have a real winner on their hands. Just maybe not one as intense as the next-generation Civic Type R that's said to offer more power via a new hybrid powertrain. But at least the days of the Celica GT-Four and similar serious enthusiast geared vehicles are coming back!

More on the 11th Generation Type R:
If the Type R could be a scary car to drive if they're turning it to a hybrid. That could also mean the price is going to go up for one.
So, Toyota is providing a major hint that something is on the way...

Pure. Toyota. Sports.
GR Yaris dominated the 2020 Tokyo Auto Salon, stirring up an outcry in North America over its absence. And it's easy to see why. A radical hot hatch, GR Yaris is equipped with an all-new 268-horsepower, 58 turbocharged 3-cylinder engine; a rally-derived GR-FOUR All-Wheel Drive system; and a track-proven suspension. It's the same engineering that helped to make TOYOTA GAZOO Racing a dominant force in the World Rally Championship. While GR Yaris isn't coming to the U.S., perhaps it's time the U.S. got a Toyota hot hatch to call its own. One that continues to push the boundaries of performance. And one that can only come from TOYOTA GAZOO Racing. Are you with us?


Consider a U.S. spec GR Corolla confirmed with this statement.
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So, Toyota is providing a major hint that something is on the way...

Pure. Toyota. Sports.
GR Yaris dominated the 2020 Tokyo Auto Salon, stirring up an outcry in North America over its absence. And it's easy to see why. A radical hot hatch, GR Yaris is equipped with an all-new 268-horsepower, 58 turbocharged 3-cylinder engine; a rally-derived GR-FOUR All-Wheel Drive system; and a track-proven suspension. It's the same engineering that helped to make TOYOTA GAZOO Racing a dominant force in the World Rally Championship. While GR Yaris isn't coming to the U.S., perhaps it's time the U.S. got a Toyota hot hatch to call its own. One that continues to push the boundaries of performance. And one that can only come from TOYOTA GAZOO Racing. Are you with us?


Consider a U.S. spec GR Corolla confirmed with this statement.
First the tweet and now this. Toyota is really starting to get invested in bringing a hot hatch (likely the corolla) back to the US! Let the cryptic messages begin.
If that's how the Corolla ends up looking then Honda will easily win in the looks department.

These spy shots show some very exciting changes to come:
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