By Otsile Kadiege

Toyota South Africa is scheduled to launch the all-new and much anticipated Corolla Cross this November. Recently the Japanese automaker introduced the GR Sport variant which will be sold some international markets like Taiwan. The Corolla Cross GR Sport features a series of visual and mechanical updates. 

Sporty exterior and interior design 

The Toyota Corolla Cross GR Sport has a radically redesigned front-end. The GR Sport snout with gloss black surrounds, which connect with the LED headlights, is noticeably smaller and the redesigned front bumper has been given a sporty look. The Corolla Cross GR Sport gets a set of 18-inch alloy wheels and faux skid plates on the front and rear bumpers, and side skirts. 

Inside, apart from a GR Sport logo on the push start/stop button and GR Sport embossed headrests much remains unchanged. 

Powertrains and mechanical upgrades 

The Corolla Cross will be powered by two engines, namely the conventional petrol and Hybrid Petrol-Electric. The 1.8-litre in the petrol Corolla Cross makes 103 kW and 173 Nm. It’s paired to a 7-step CVT transmission and has a claimed combined fuel-consumption of 6.8-litres/100 km.

The hybrid is also powered by the same Prius sourced 2ZR-FXE 1.8-litre engine. However, the re-engineered petrol hybrid concoction in the Corolla Cross Hybrid makes 72 kW and 142 Nm. It works in conjunction with the electric motor which develops 53 kW and 163 Nm (at full capacity) and it’s paired to a CVT transmission Toyota claims a combined fuel-consumption of 4.3L/100 km.

Toyota improved its handling, its shocks are 30-percent firmer, steering rack has been retuned, and it also gets additional chassis bracing.