Toyota Pondering Whether It Should Build High-Performance Hybrid Corolla GRMN

Toyota’s Gazoo Racing performance division could soon get its hands on the brand new Corolla and create a true hot hatch.

During an interview with Auto Express at the Paris Auto Show, Toyota’s European president and chief executive Dr Johan van Zyl revealed that the Japanese automaker is analyzing which of its models could get the Gazoo Racing treatment.

“Our aspiration is to offer a wide spread of GR vehicles to our customers to bring the excitement to the brand. So as we go along with our product range we will look at every one of the products and say OK, what is possible? Does this model suit the GR brand? Can we make some excitement with it?” he said.

Toyota could get the impetus to work on a performance-focused Corolla after Skoda’s recent unveiling of the electrified Vision RS concept hot hatch.

“I think that’s what we are trying to say with the fact we have launched the 2.0-litre hybrid in the Corolla range. We are saying it is possible. We can make a more exciting, sporty hybrid. The technology is there. It’s just the way you tune it,” van Zyl commented.

As popular as the Corolla is, it is somewhat of a surprise that Toyota isn’t already producing a variant to rival vehicles like the Ford Focus RS, Renault Megane R.S. and VW Golf R. In fact, the last time it rolled out a hot version of the Corolla was the 189 HP T-Sport that was based on the ninth-generation model and was available between 2002 and 2005 (and a limited run, supercharged version with 215 HP for 2006 and 2007).

Admittedly, Toyota only recently got its mojo back and has so far only built a single GRMN-tuned vehicle, based on the Yaris supermini. Whereas production of that vehicle was extremely limited, a Corolla GRMN could be built in much greater numbers and would likely prove popular in markets around the globe.