Official pricing and specifications for the Toyota GR Corolla have been released! Here’s how much you’ll pay for the all-paw hot hatch in South Africa…

It’s official: South African pricing for the new Toyota GR Corolla has been released, with the local range comprising a pair of derivatives at launch.

And it turns out the recently leaked figures were bang on the money. In South Africa, the GR Corolla 1.6T Core will be priced at R816500, while the GR Corolla 1.6T Circuit will come in at R876100 (as a reminder, the GR Yaris is currently priced at R815700, though is available only in top-spec Rally guise). It’s not yet clear how many units have been set aside for Mzansi, though Toyota SA Motors earlier confirmed the hot hatch would be “offered in limited quantities”.

What are the differences between the two trim lines, you ask? Well, before we dive into local specifications, let’s touch on the powertrain. Like the smaller GR Yaris, the GR Corolla employs a turbocharged 1.6-litre, 3-cylinder petrol engine (known internally as G16E-GTS), which here delivers 221 kW and 370 Nm to all 4 wheels via a 6-speed manual gearbox.

Though Toyota SA Motors doesn’t list an official 0-100 kph time, we know the similarly equipped version of the GR Corolla in Australia completes the obligatory sprint in around 5.3 seconds, with a top speed of 230 kph. The claimed combined fuel economy figure is 8.4 litres per 100 km.

The GR Corolla will be offered in 2 trim levels in South Africa (Australian-spec model shown).

Standard features across the range include high-speed adaptive cruise control, dual-zone climate control, a 12.3-inch multi-information display, a 7-inch infotainment screen, a reversing camera, wireless smartphone charging, parking sensors (fore and aft), 18-inch alloy wheels (wrapped in 235/40 R18 tyres) and Toyota’s Safety Sense Package, which incorporates items such as hill assist control, a lane-keeping system, vehicle stability control, ABS and EBD.

So, how is the flagship Circuit variant set apart from the base Core derivative? Well, the key mechanical difference is the fact the more expensive version features a limited-slip differential on each of its axles, while also benefitting from a CFRP (carbon-fibre reinforced plastic) roof, lowering the vehicle’s centre of gravity.

Then, as you might have guessed, the GR Corolla 1.6T Circuit boasts some extra standard equipment, including a head-up display and synthetic leather/suede upholstery (as opposed to cloth). Furthermore, the Circuit model can be ordered in a Midnight Grey hue, a colour not available on the Core version (which cane be specified in Glacier White, Raven Black or Fierce Red), and features a gloss-black finish for its grille.

Finding a direct local rival for the GR Corolla hot hatch isn’t easy considering it combines all-wheel drive with a manual gearbox. Still, there’s the likewise all-paw but automatic-equipped Volkswagen Golf R (R912800), along with the front-wheel-drive Volkswagen Golf GTI (R766500), Hyundai i30 N (R795900) and Renault Mégane RS 300 Trophy (R949999), each of which uses a dual-clutch transmission. The box-fresh FL5-generation Honda Civic Type R, meanwhile, kicks off at R979000 and combines front-wheel drive with a 6-speed manual cog-swapper.

How much does the Toyota GR Corolla cost in South Africa?

Toyota GR Corolla 1.6T Core – R816 500

Toyota GR Corolla 1.6T Circuit – R876100

A 3-year/100 000 km warranty is included in the purchase price, along with a 9-service/90 000 km service plan (with intervals of 10000 km).

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