2020 Toyota Corolla GR Sport heralds sportier variants

With plans to build performance variants for almost its entire lineup, Toyota is indeed serious about injecting some passion back into its cars and what better way to showcase its intention than on its most popular model, the Corolla with the new GR Sport treatment.

So what is GR Sport? It is Toyota’s sporting arm and stand for Gazoo Racing. The GR Sport is the ‘entry-level’ variant before moving up to the mid-range GR and range-topping GRMN.

Before you get too excited, the Corolla GR Sport is merely a slightly sportier looking Corolla, in the same vein as a Volkswagen Golf R-Line or Renault Megane GT-Line. As such, it retains its regular 1.8-litre petrol and 2.0-litre hybrid engines while bringing a more aggressive body kit.

Unique styling elements include a new front grille with dark chrome finish and unique lower skirts, side rockers and rear diffuser. It also adds bespoke 18-inch machined alloy wheels, rear privacy glass, fog lamps, LED headlights and a special model-specific Dynamic Grey two-tone body colour.

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On board, the Corolla GR Sport is equipped with Sport seats in black fabric with leather-trimmed bolsters, which can be optionally upgraded to full leather. There is also black and red stitching on the instrument panel, steering wheel and gear shifter.

It is set to go on sale in Europe from January 2020 and likely to arrive on local shores later next year.