The Toyota Corolla Cross has become the Japanese giant’s latest model to get the GR Sport aesthetic treatment, but it’s yet to be confirmed for Australia.
Unveiled at the Bangkok motor show, the Corolla Cross HEV (hybrid electric vehicle) GR Sport follows in the footsteps of the C-HR, Yaris Cross and LandCruiser 300 Series by adopting sharper exterior and interior looks.
However, unlike the HiLux GR Sport, there are no increased outputs, making this a purely visual upgrade.
“GR (including GR Sport) is an increasingly important part of our line-up, bringing added fun and excitement to our customers and our brand,” a Toyota Australia spokesperson told CarExpert when asked whether the Corolla Cross GR Sport could come to showrooms.
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“We are keen to evaluate any new GR opportunities should they become available for our market.”
It’s worth noting that while the Corolla Cross is built in Thailand, Australian-delivered examples are produced in Japan, where the GR Sport version doesn’t yet exist.
GR Sport-specific changes to the Corolla Cross include a unique front bumper, black grille, faux metal skid plates on the side sills and rear bumper, clear tail lights and a different boot moulding.
Inside, Toyota says it’s fitted with piano black interior trim, silver steering wheel and seat contrast stitching, and GR logos on the head restraints and push-button start – though there are no images currently available.
The brand also claims to have tweaked the Corolla Cross’s suspension and added “sporty tuned electric power steering”.
Just three colours are available in Thailand: Attitude Black Mica, Red Mica Metallic and Platinum White Pearl, the latter two of which come with a black contrast roof.
There are no changes under the bonnet, with the Corolla Cross HEV continuing to produce 112kW and 190Nm from its 2.0-litre petrol engine, supplemented by an 83kW/206Nm front electric motor, and a 30kW rear motor in all-wheel drive guise.
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Australian-delivered Corolla Cross -
In Thailand, prices for the Corolla Cross GR Sport start from 1,253,000 Baht, equivalent to about $58,580 in Australian currency.
That’s 50,000 Baht ($2345) more than the existing Corolla Cross flagship in Thailand.
In Australia, the Corolla Cross range tops out at $50,030 before on-road costs, making a sub-$55,000 price tag possible should the GR Sport come here.
