https://autorai.nl/groen-licht-voor-toyota-corolla-grmn-wordt-geen-hybride/
A Corolla GRMN would be nice, but I hope it isn't an expensive(for a hot hatch), limited edition model. Also I wonder what are the other GR vehicles in the pipeline.
Here's the Google translate:
Toyota will soon have a Corolla GRMN based on the hatchback. That's what Toshio Kanei, Deputy Chief Designer of Toyota Motor Corporation, confirmed in an interview with AutoRAI.nl.
First Corolla GR Sport
Toyota first presents the Corolla GR Sport at the Geneva Motor Show (7-17 March). A version with sportier looks, but with the powertrains that we already know, such as the 2.0 High Power Hybrid with 180 hp. At a later stage, Toyota comes with a full-fledged hot hatchback based on the Corolla Hatchback.
Toyota GAZOO Racing
Kanei: "We are currently investigating what would be most effective for the European market, but a Corolla GRMN is certainly realistic. We are already working on that. The development takes place under the supervision of Toyota GAZOO Racing. This department has included the Corolla GRMN in the future plan, but for now the project is still in the planning stage. "
No hybrid powertrain
Kanei can also confirm the following: "The Toyota Corolla GRMN does not get a hybrid powertrain." Kanei-san can not yet tell which engine the top version is. In any case, no extra peppery version of the 1.8-liter four-cylinder from the Yaris GRMN. "We want more power, an even sportier engine and lower CO2 emissions," says Kanei. "A four-cylinder turbo engine with an engine capacity of about 1.6 liters can be interesting." Peugeot and Hyundai pick from a 1.6-liter turbo engine 270 hp.
Global car
According to Kanei, a Corolla GRMN becomes a global car, but Toyota carefully examines the markets where the car is delivered. "We have to look carefully but CO2 emissions. We look at the opportunities per market, "says Kanei-san.
Relatively short development time
Kanei: "The car has a relatively short development time, because the basis is already there. TNGA forms an excellent basis. Developing the powertrain takes more time. "According to Kanei there is a chance that the Corolla GRMN will become a limited edition, as the Yaris GRMN also was.
Just a little patience
And do we have to wait a long time? Well, an exact launching period can not be called Kanei yet. "In my view, we can best bring the GRMN into the middle of the Corolla life cycle," he says.
GRMN
"No more boring cars", Toyota CEO Akio Toyoda once said. Toyota hopes to achieve this with the arrival of the label Gazoo Racing (GR) and GRMN as superlative of GR. GRMN stands for GAZOO Racing Masters or Nürburgring and can be seen as the M, AMG or RS of Toyota. Toyota is investing heavily in Gazoo Racing and GRMN and will introduce many more GR (MN) models in the future, because according to Kanei there are several models on the planning of Toyota GAZOO Racing.