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The Toyota GR Corolla is a fantastic hot hatch and with a fierce 300 hp, this sporty little number is on another level from its rivals.

The Toyota GR Corolla is a serious hot hatch and is the first sporty car from the twelfth-generation Toyota Corolla. The Toyota GR Corolla features a six-speed manual transmission, modifying the monotonous hatchback in previous models and other hot hatchback cars.

In addition, Toyota leverages the power output and price of the GR Corolla to take it a notch higher than other hot hatches from competitors. Exciting days ahead for sports car lovers.

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Taking a cue from its predecessor, the GR Yaris, the GR Corolla offers maximum speed and stability for fun rides. And looking at the GR details, we see it feature a 1.6-liter three-cylinder in-line turbo engine that produces 300 horsepower and 273 lb-ft of torque that transmits this driving force to all four wheels. Based on the GA-C platform – a platform specifically designed for the GR corolla, the GR is strong.

Although the shorter gearing of the six-speed manual transmission is the most noticeable difference on the GR Corolla, it is easy to use. Comparing the throws to the manual Toyota Supra, they are a little longer. Still, there are integral automatic rev-matching downshifts to support it.

The GR Corolla also features a true mechanical handbrake for any maneuver. It sits next to a dial that exclusively controls the per-axle torque distribution. For example, turning the dial will change the front-rear split to varying percentage ratios — 30/70, 50/50 or 60/40. However, it is easier to navigate the throttle of the GR Corolla as the gearbox will incorporate certain shift points and, wherever possible, avoid holding maximum revs at anything below full throttle. The standard six-speed manual transmission featured in the GR Corolla shuttles it from 0 to 60 mph in an estimated time of less than 5 seconds.

News from Toyota confirms the six-speed intelligent Manual Transmission (iMT) and further hints that the GR Corolla will have a dual wishbone rear suspension, MacPherson strut front suspension, and GR-four permanent all-wheel drive (AWD) technology just as it is in the GR Yaris. However, the system's 4WD mode, which regulates the spread of driving force, and its 'drive' mode, which regulates accelerator feedback, steering, and other factors, are being separated in the GR Corolla to enable selection following the preferences of the driver and the surrounding circumstances. Furthermore, the GR Corolla will include a front and rear Torsen Limited Slip Differential to round out its performance capabilities, just as we see in the GR Yaris.

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In terms of performance and maintenance, the GR Corolla is truly a “hot hatch”, as the CEO of Toyota New Zealand, Neeraj Lala, describes it. Toyota promises to include the most recent version of the Toyota Safety Sense package, which includes a Pre-Collision System, Lane Tracing Assist, Dynamic Radar Cruise Control, Automatic High Beam, and Blind Spot Monitor to the GR Corolla, so you won’t be compromising your safety or that of others for anything at all – not even for a road ticket fee.

While the GR Corolla's interior features many of the same comforts and improvements as in the standard Corolla, the GR Corolla boasts some GR-specific features, such as a leather steering wheel with the GR logo, GR sports seats with Ultrasuede and synthetic leather accents, and a premium JBL audio system.

Overall, the GR Corolla deserves more accolades than it is getting at the moment because this sports car beats our expectations from Toyota. With its unique engine features and other components, we bet the GR Corolla is about to make its counterparts green with envy. Hence, the reason the Toyota GR Corolla should be on every gearhead's wishlist.

OLUWAFEMI Joshua loves to explore the history of the automobile industry and the role of automobiles in popular culture and film.