Toyota Made A Peppier Corolla Cross GR Sport For Japan

Toyota updated its popular Corolla Cross model range in its Japanese home market recently, and it also saw a much peppier GR Sport variant bow too.

Recently, Toyota updated its Corolla Cross compact crossover offering for its Japanese domestic home market. Like the ASEAN and, and more recently, new European market versions, there’s also a sporty GR Sport variant available.

However, unlike the version sold here and in Europe, this Japanese market GR Sport version stands as a much peppier offering than both. One could that this is the Corolla Cross GR Sport that’s built for performance driving enthusiasts.

Evidently, this JDM version of the Corolla Cross GR Sport stands much peppier versus the GR Sport guise offered in both ASEAN and Europe.

Much of this stems from the peppier ‘High-Output’ hybrid powertrain this Japanese domestic market (JDM) model packs. It consists of a 2.0-litre ‘Dynamic Force’ 4-cyl petrol base engine paired with dual e-motors – one on each axle.

Altogether, there a combined 199 PS output here, and it’s managed by both a 10-speed sport-turned CVT automatic box boasting manual transmission “feel” – similar to the unit primed in the Corolla GR Sport – plus Toyota’s unique E-Four hybrid all-wheel-drive (AWD).

This JDM version packs a 2.0-litre 'Dynamic Force' 4-cyl petrol mill, which is augmented with a pair of e-motors and mated with a sport-tuned 10-speed CVT box plus an E-Four AWD setup.

Toyota did not release any performance data, but this GR Sport variant, which is also primed with an exclusive dedicated Sport drive mode, promises to be quicker than the regular Corolla Cross variants that packs the familiar 1.8-litre 4-cyl engines range.

Naturally, with any GR Sport variant, there's an enhanced sport-tuned chassis to look forward to. Firstly, this JDM Corolla Cross GR Sport benefits with stiffer front lower arm bushes and a revised rear double wishbone assembly.

Primed too is an enhanced chassis featuring sport-tuned suspension, revised rear double wishbone assembly, stiffer lower arm bushes, and more.

Matching both are stiffer front lower arm bushes, stiffer springs, sport-tune shock absorbers, and a 10 MM lower ride height. All this were meant to enhance steering response, handling stability and ride comfort.

Next comes visual and style additions via an aerodynamically functional matrix grille, blacked-out 19-inch wheels, red-painted brake calipers, GR Sport-specific front bucket seats wrapped in suede-like fabric, paddle-shifters, and an aluminium pedals set.

Elsewhere, you'll find this JDM Corolla Cross GR Sport rocking the same styling additions and tweaks that's typical of this sporty trimline badge.

For its domestic Japanese market, Toyota plans to start delivering this sportier Corolla Cross GR Sport model to customers from Aug onwards. Each will reportedly command a starting price tag of JPY3,895,000 (approx. RM115,169).

Besides a sportier new GR Sport variant for the Corolla Cross, Toyota’s performance and motorsports arm have also readied a catalogue full of new additional GR Parts too. These, of course command extra money on top of the base price mentioned.

Besides the dedicated GR Sport variant, Toyota's GR arm also readied a catalogue full of GR Parts for which that further amplifies this crossover's sportiness.

Available here is a more aggressive bodykit set featuring a larger front splitter, extended side skirts, as well as a revised rear bumper. What is notably missing here though is a massive rear spoiler – Toyota elected to practice some restraint here.

Other bits include side window visors, carbon-look door handle protectors, carbon-fiber-reinforced plastic license plate frame, valve caps, GR-branded floor mats, as well as additional chassis bracing that reduces vibration and improve handling further.

So what do you reckon folks? Fancy  this JDM version of the Corolla Cross GR Sport instead? Share your take in the comments below…