GR Corolla, Lexus NX spotted in Melbourne

This article has been amended to reflect that the SUV shown is the new Lexus NX, and not the Lexus RX as previously reported.

THE Toyota GR Corolla has been spotted in production form – replete with Victorian number plates – in the outer suburbs of Melbourne this week.

Seen unloading from a covered transporter, the all-wheel drive and turbocharged Corolla hatch was spied alongside a new-generation Lexus NX SUV, the duo understood to be en route to Toyota’s Altona facility for staff and dealer training.

The long-awaited GR Corolla hot hatch offers a 224kW powertrain, a traditional manual transmission and a clever all-wheel drive system.

Its mechanicals are largely derived from the GR Yaris, with Toyota’s hotted-up Corolla not only providing a bigger and more practical companion to the pint-sized Yaris but finally giving the Japanese car-maker a proper rival to other hot hatches like the Volkswagen Golf R and Honda Civic Type R.

Powered by a 1.6-litre three-cylinder turbo-petrol engine, the GR ’Rolla produces 224kW at 6000rpm and 370Nm between 3000 and 5500rpm.

This is 24kW more power than offered by the Yaris, and while peak torque is the same, the Corolla produces that figure over a wider rev range – the Yaris’ max torque tapers off from 4600rpm.

Some of that extra oomph may come down to faster-flowing plumbing on the exhaust side, with the GR Corolla sporting an unorthodox triple-tip exhaust arrangement that is claimed to reduce back pressure – and noise when its bypass valve is set to Quiet mode.

A six-speed manual is the only transmission choice for now, though it receives a short-stroke linkage to quicken gear changes compared to regular manual-equipped Corollas.

Meanwhile, the five-seat Lexus NX SUV will be priced from $60,800 (plus on-road costs) and offer various engine choices, including a direct-injection 2.5-litre four-cylinder petrol, 2.4-litre four-cylinder turbo-petrol, and both petrol-electric hybrid and plug-in hybrid variants. Two- and all-wheel drive configurations will also available.

In addition to the broad powertrain line-up on offer, Lexus says the NX will debut a range of next-generation design and technology features, including new safety and connectivity features. Four trim grades will be offered, in conjunction with Lexus’ optional Enhancement Packs.