A spicy all-wheel drive version of the Corolla in the works

Reliability, frugality, comfort: these are probably the qualifiers that come to mind when you mention the name Corolla. The compact has been a safe bet for decades, praised for its balanced approach, failing to have a dynamic personality. However, this would soon be set to change, and this, in a rather spectacular way.

While an ultra-sporty version of the Yaris absent from the Canadian range is adored by the European trade press, this Corolla could soon receive its mechanical parts to compete with the leaders in the segment. At least that’s what the American magazine says Motor Trend, relying on sources at Toyota.

Concretely, this would result in the use of the most powerful three-cylinder in the world today. With a volume of 1.5 L, it is turbocharged and produces 257 hp in the case of GR Yaris (for Gazoo Racing, Toyota’s performance subsidiary). To compensate for the Corolla’s heavier weight, engineers could increase the setting beyond 260 hp. Moreover, a photo recently posted on Instagram which gives clues to certain elements that will make up this new variant discreetly exposes the number 268.

The whole would be framed by an all-wheel drive, which would put this GR Corolla in the crosshairs of the Subaru WRX, or even the WRX STI or Volkswagen Golf R, depending on the power level of the various versions. Ah yes, a manual transmission would be part of the mechanical combination, which will delight purists.

A soap opera to follow, it goes without saying.