Toyota has recently announced that it will showcase hybrid, electric & hydrogen powered vehicles alongside the new Innova Hycross at the 2023 Auto Expo. A new report claims that the company will also showcase a GR (Gazoo Racing) model for the first time in India. The Toyota GR Corolla hatchback and the new Land Cruiser 300 are set to make their public debut at the 16th edition of Indian Auto Expo.
Toyota GR Corolla
With the GR Corolla hatchback, Toyota will aim to gauge the public interest in the GR or Gazoo Racing models. The GR Corolla is a performance version of the Corolla hatchback on sale overseas. It has been heavily reworked by Toyota’s Gazoo Racing performance division. It is based on Toyota’s TNGA platform, and comes with a highly rigid body constructed by Gazoo Racing. It has extra welds around chassis joints and extensive use of structural adhesive between various components. GR has also used lightweight materials, which makes the Toyota GR Corolla (1474kg kerb) significantly lighter than the standard model.
Powering the Toyota GR Corolla is a 1.6-litre, 3-cylinder, single-scroll turbocharged engine that is capable of producing 304bhp and 370Nm of torque. GR has tweaked the engine for better performance. It comes with a triple-exit exhaust for improved exhaust flow and reduced back pressure, a new ‘multi-oil jet piston’ cooling system, larger exhaust valves and a part-machined intake port. Power is transmitted to all 4 wheels via a 6-speed manual gearbox.
The performance hatchback gets rally-inspired design elements such as black treatment, a larger front grille with wider air intakes, flared wheel arches, air intakes on the bumpers & fenders, rear diffuser, sportier alloy wheels, etc. Inside the cabin, it gets a leather-trimmed GR steering wheel, GR-badged sports seats and aluminium pedals.
Toyota LC 300
The Japanese automaker will showcase the new Land Cruiser 300 or LC 300 at the biennial event. The company has already released the prices of the new model, and is available at a price tag of Rs 2.1 crore in Delhi. The new model comes as a CBU (Completely Built Unit), which is the main reason behind the high price tag.
Powering the new LC300 is a 3.3-litre twin-turbo diesel engine that is capable of producing 305bhp and 700Nm of torque. Power is transmitted to all 4 wheels via an 10-speed automatic gearbox. The new model is based on the brand’s new GA-F platform that’s based on TNGA, while retaining the ladder-frame construction. The new model is around 200kgs lighter than the previous model.
The new Land Cruiser LC300 comes with a 4×4 system as standard. It features an adaptive variable suspension with an electronically controlled Kinetic Dynamic Suspension Stabilisation System. It also gets a multi-terrain monitor and multi-terrain select with Auto & Deep Snow mode. It also has improved wheel articulation and craw control system.
Source – AutoCarIndia
