Toyota is launching an upgraded and improved Corolla next year, and has also created a hardcore two-seat version of the 304hp GR Corolla hot hatch. Guess which one isn't coming to Ireland?
New styling, new screens
The one that is coming here, the regular Corolla, will get a number of updates and improvements to keep the Japanese car at the top of the sales charts. There have been some very small styling tweaks, such as new grille patterns and new fog lights, while higher-spec models will now come with bi-LED headlights that feature an adaptive high-beam system.
There are some new colour options, too - Juniper Blue, Midnight Teal and Metallic Grey - while the cabin gets some new fabric trim options.
The big changes are for the screens in the cabin, with the Corolla gaining the latest, and very impressive, Toyota infotainment software on a new 10.5-inch central touchscreen. That screen will come with a four-year subscription to Toyota Smart Connect or Toyota Smart Connect+, which will give you live, online access to cloud-based navigation and traffic info.
In front of the driver, there's a new 12.3-inch fully-digital instrument panel, which replaces the current digital-analogue setup. That screen comes with four layouts from which the driver can choose - Casual, Smart, Sport and Tough. There's also a new 'natural speech' digital voice assistant and the ability to monitor more of the car's systems via the MyT smartphone app.
More safety equipment, more power
The Corolla is also getting a safety boost, with the addition of the new Toyota T-Mate driver assistance pack. That includes new safety gear such as a system that prevents you accidentally suddenly accelerating at low speeds, collision avoidance that now can stop you turning across a junction, emergency steering assistance that reacts to oncoming vehicles and a 'Safe Exit' system that prevents you from opening a door if it detects a door being opened into the path of a vehicle or cyclist approaching from the rear.
There's also a round of improvements for the hybrid systems. The 1.8-litre powertrain gets a power boost to 140hp, chopping a fairly major 1.7 seconds off the 0-100km/h time (bringing it down to 9.2 seconds), but with no increase in CO2 emissions, which remain pegged at 102g/km. The 2.0-litre hybrid now gets 196hp, cuts 0.5 seconds from its 0-100km/h time (now 7.5 seconds) and sees a 3g/km reduction in CO2, bringing it to 107g/km. Toyota also claims that the way the hybrid operates has been tweaked: "A recalibration of the hybrid control has produced acceleration that more closely mirrors the driver's intention and their use of the throttle pedal, producing the appropriate G-sensation and an intuitive feel."
That's the Corolla that you will be able to buy from early 2023 onwards. The one you won't be able to buy is the GR Corolla Morizo two-seater.
Based on the already-announced 304hp GR Corolla, the Morizo (named after the racing pseudonym of Toyota's long-serving president, Akio Toyoda) is even more focused on track use. It's 30kg lighter than the standard GR Corolla, mostly thanks to the fact that the back seats have been binned. There's a big structural brace and 3.3 metres of additional structural adhesive has been applied throughout the vehicle to further enhance body rigidity.
Shorter gears
The 1.6-litre turbocharged three-cylinder engine (closely related to that used in the GR Yaris) has been given an extra 30Nm of torque, for a total of 370Nm, and the gearing of the six-speed manual gearbox has been altered a little to tighten up the gaps between first, second and third.
The suspension gets new dampers and the tyres have been upgraded to Michelin Pilot Sport Cup spec, which are 10mm wider than the standard Yokohamas. Outside, there's one colour choice - Metallic Matte Grey - and there is cast-black paint trim for the instrument panel and doors. Oh, and you also get 'Morizo's' signature etched onto the windscreen.
Sadly, as with the standard GR Corolla, this one is for Japan and Japan only. At least until we get the all-new CompleteCar.ie import-export business sorted out, of course...