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How Everyone Gave Toyota An Open Goal To Score With The 2022 GR Corolla

With the reveal of the GR Corolla, Toyota has cemented their place as the poster child of accessible high performance that isn’t from something Europe. Launched on April 1st, seemingly intentionally, the factory-modified 300hp all-paw hatch makes its rivals look a little foolish for dropping the ball.

In one swift stroke, Toyota’s Gazoo Racing just became the eminent Japanese high performance brand, at least insofar as cars that are not purpose-built supercar-slayers like the Nissan GT-R or the resurrected (and US-built) Honda NSX are concerned.

Corolla Is Cool Now

It’s true, especially so given the recent news last month that Subaru won’t be pursuing a hotter STI version of the second-generation (VB) WRX. At the earliest, we’ll have to wait for for them to figure out how to make their rally-bred AWD nutter electrified, which could take until their next full generational step.

In the same arena, the Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution has long been in comatose, handing arch-rivals Subaru an uncontested slice of the market that was dominated by this duopoly for almost two decades. But who knows, their new Renault-Nissan bosses might the ‘Evo’ name from the dead as an SUV. How sad would that be?

In their absence, it looked almost too easy for Toyota to scoop up all the limelight for itself. And so they did, taking the relevant bits from the excellent GR Yaris to craft a hot hatch that ticks all the performance boxes in a larger, more daily drivable 5-door format.

Strategic Transplants

It’s definitely not as bespoke as its smaller sibling, though, meaning it will be much less expensive to build and sell, though no pricing has been confirmed. While the GR Yaris is almost unrecognisable under the skin to the base car, this is still most definitely a Corolla. Toyota claims that it does use a specially constructed “high rigid body”, however.

Since we already have that smaller car as a benchmark, expectations are high that this larger, newer one will deliver the same kind of undiluted thrills. Its main ingredients are promising: a 1.6-litre turbocharged 3-cylinder and tickled to yield 300hp (up from 268hp in the GR Yaris) and 320Nm that’s hooked up to Toyota’s clever GR-Four all-wheel drive system via a rev-matching 6-speed manual transmission. Want an auto? Too bad!

Cars specified with the optional Circuit Edition will also be equipped with a pair of Torsen differentials for even better grip and cornering response. Serious stuff.

It definitely looks the part too with properly flared arches to fill its widened track, unique 18-inch wheels wrapped in Michelin Pilot Sport 4 tyres, and even a very cool looking triple-exist exhaust system that, along with the new “multi-oil jet” piston cooling and other intake system upgrades, Toyota credits with hitting its increased power and torque figure.

The automaker has not made specific mention of performance stats such as acceleration and top speed but expect a sub-5.0 second century sprint and around 250km/h flat out if gearing permits.

Rivals – Dead, Alive, Or Knocked Out

As far as current cars from Japan go, only the (FK8) Honda Civic Type R poses any in-category threat to the GR Corolla with a few more horses being squeezed from its 2.0-litre VTEC Turbo four-cylinder (306hp). It even brought that tri-exit exhaust layout back into the mainstream.

While definitely fast and engaging, the FK8 might start to trail the Toyota over multiple laps of a circuit where its front-drive layout could sacrifice valuable tenths to the grippier and more sure-footed GR-Four all-wheel drive system. That said, Honda is well into development of more potent successor based on the 11th-gen Civic, so keep an eye on that.

Obviously, the Subaru WRX still looms large but without an STI to top off the range, its 2.4-litre turbo flat-four will only yield 270hp from factory. More damning is its non-negotiable pairing with a CVT and the fact that, unlike the Toyota and Honda, it’s only available as a four-door sedan.

Oddly enough, the Hyundai Veloster N and the i30N are both very Asian and very good hot hatchbacks, but doesn’t exactly square up with either of the Gazoo Racing products in terms of drivetrain layout. Like the Honda, they’re front-drive only.

Over in Europe, the pool of contenders gets substantially larger but also more scattered. At the forefront sits the reigning (AWD and FWD) hatch king in the form of the Volkswagen Golf GTI and Golf R (together with its Audi counterpart, the S3) both powered by a venerable 2.0-litre EA888 turbo-petrol. The Focus RS was an equally excellent AWD hooligan, but Ford has so far shelved it after 3rd-generation car was phased out. Then there’s the Renault Megane RS, but again it’s only in FWD.

Mercedes-Benz, without going into completely OP (over•powered) territory with the A 45 S, offers the tamer A 35 while BMW will happily take any positive attention the non-RWD M135i can get.

That said, that would mean wandering into the ‘premium’ tier of cars. The whole point of GR Corolla is to make high performance accessible and fun, an intention not unlike the BRZ/86 twins that were introduced 10 years ago, speaking of which……

A Toyota-Led Revival For The Subaru STI?

Anyone else see an uncanny resemblance between the new GR Corolla and the Impreza WRX STI from about 15 years (and a few generations) ago?

Back in 2007, Subaru introduced their then-latest evolution of an AWD rally-bred beast as both a 4-door sedan and a 5-door hatch. The car, ironically designated GR within its brethren, was an alternate two-box take on the fire-breathing Impreza.

After a production run of 7 years and the automaker distancing that nameplate from the Impreza family via its follow-on, referred to as the first-generation WRX, Subaru would abandon the hatchback form factor and keep those cars and its controversial 2021 replacement strictly as sedans.

What a shame, too, since Toyota have now made a car that’s so similar in its technical foundation which has been so enthusiastically received by the car community. So far, the GR Corolla looks like a win for Toyota. If so, it’s rooted in a the untapped potential that other automakers – namely Subaru, Ford, and Mitsubishi – left behind.

That said, Toyota and Subaru do have pretty close ties and have not shied away from selling re-badged versions of each other’s cars as their own – just look to the aforementioned co-development of the 86 (+ newer GR86) and BRZ or the fully electric Toyota bZ4X coming to market simultaneously as the Subaru Solterra.

Could it be beyond reason to think that the next WRX STI could be staring us in the face, disguised for now as this Toyota GR Corolla?

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Unpopular Opinion: Basikal Lajak And Ulu Yam Touge – What’s The Difference?

In today’s unpopular opinion, is there really a difference between basikal lajak and those who participate in touge activities at Ulu Yam?

There’s a lot of coverage, chatter, and opinions on the recent judgement of Sam Ke Ting, who was sentenced to six years in prison and fined RM6,000 for causing the deaths of eight teenagers on basikal lajak.

Because the courts ruled in favour of the deceased children, memes and jokes have sprung up on social media, with some netizens poking fun at the situation by summarising that the new king of the road is ‘Basikal  Lajak’ instead of cars. What is your view on the matter?

What’s the difference between Ulu Yam touge sessions and basikal lajak?

Please don’t do this! Video credits to Malaysian Crash Compilation and Jordan Honda Team

Perceptions about the incident and subsequent ruling have remained mixed, as varied as the kuah nasi kandar at your favourite eatery but that’s not what we’re here to discuss today. The question we’d like to pose is, how different are the Ulu Yam touge sessions compared to basikal lajak? 

Are they not exactly the same thing just using different modes of transportation? 

Both basikal lajak and Ulu Yam touge:

is illegal
endanger others
take place on public roads – not closed street circuits
participants use little to no safety gear
can cause fatalities – as we’ve unfortunately seen

Road Transport Act 1987

For those of you who participate in touge activities, you are in breach of Section 41 of the Road Transport Act 1987, which states:

“any person who, by the driving of a motor vehicle on a road recklessly or at a speed or in a manner which having regard to all the circumstances (including the nature, condition, and size of the road, and the amount of traffic which is or might be expected to be on the road) is dangerous to the public, causes the death of any person shall be guilty of an offence…”

For the basikal lajak crew, they are breaking the law by riding on the highway without permission, which under Section 54(1) of the Road Transport Act 1987 is an illegal act. Cycling activities on highways without the permission of police or the Malaysian Highway Authority (LLM) can get them penalised or a prison term of up to 12 months. On top of that, the failure to install front and rear lights, as well as a bell, under Article 35 of the Road Regulations 1959 is also an offence.

Take it off the streets!

Basikal lajak or even touge sessions while on public roads are dangerous, do inherently have their benefits if given the opportunity in a safe controlled space. We have some really good and talented drivers and cyclists in Malaysia, and I’ve seen both firsthand. The problem is that they don’t have access to a controlled environment to test their skill and sharpen their technique. This is why they head to public roads to do so, chasing thrills at the expense of others. We at Carlist.my do not in any way shape, or form condone this. That’s why through CarTell we organise gymkhanas in controlled locations so that the car community can have fun, sharpen your skills and be safe.  

Perhaps if the powers that be and we’re looking at state governments here provided drivers and cyclists with a safe place to practice their skills without costing an arm and a leg, exceptional talents could be identified, which might be beneficial to our national sporting aspirations. 

On the cycling side, I know that some initiatives around the country like Junior Cycling Malaysia and Bikeschool Malaysia have done a good job in educating and turning the Basikal Lajak kids into proper athletes and providing them with a suitable space and environment to do so. Now can we have a similar programme to nurture young motorsport talents? 

Do we have to wait for a death before something is done?

Do we have to wait for something more serious to happen involving another 8 lives or more before we do something? In all honesty, both basikal lajak and touge sessions are one and the same as they both race on public roads but with different types of machines. One has garnered a lot of attention because eight youths are now dead so do we have to wait for some more deaths before the other one gets any ridicule, attention, bans?

Both these activities unsupervised and uncontrolled endanger innocent Malaysians and need to stop! The government should be proactively looking for a solution on how to do so, one immediate idea being to maintain and allow access to the smaller circuits we have around the country for car clubs and car enthusiasts groups to safely test their limits and skills on. 

If we can have more of these types of initiatives and facilities, we could possibly have more Azizulhasni Awangs and more Alex Yoongs, but till the government provides either party with more opportunities, unfortunately, we will see more of them hitting the road an underground street races, let it be on a bicycle or a car.

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Updated Skoda Karoq features sharper design, better equipment

The facelifted Skoda Karoq gets a wider grille, new lights at the front and rear, as well as improved aerodynamic efficiency.

The post Updated Skoda Karoq features sharper design, better equipment appeared first on Torque.

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First-ever Mercedes-Benz Concept Store launched in Singapore

Mercedes-Benz’s very first Concept Store in Great World will serve as a discussion space for sustainability and as a retail point for electric EQ models.

The post First-ever Mercedes-Benz Concept Store launched in Singapore appeared first on Torque.

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Lamborghini Huracán Tecnica with 630hp and rear-wheel-drive unveiled

The Lamborghini Huracán Tecnica sits between the EVO RWD and more extreme STO, and is claimed to offer the “best of both worlds”.

The post Lamborghini Huracán Tecnica with 630hp and rear-wheel-drive unveiled appeared first on Torque.

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Aston Martin DBX707 review: Rapid British Behemoth

The Aston Martin DBX707 is a high-performance, super-luxury SUV that deftly straddles the ground between a Bentley Bentayga and a Lamborghini Urus.

The post Aston Martin DBX707 review: Rapid British Behemoth appeared first on Torque.

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Facelifted BMW X7 gets bolder and brasher design

New split headlights and BMW’s Operating System 8, displayed via a new curved display, are but just a few of the most noticiable changes on the new BMW X7.

The post Facelifted BMW X7 gets bolder and brasher design appeared first on Torque.

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Genesis reveals all-electric X Speedium Coupe

The Genesis X Speedium Coupe showcases the brand’s future electric vehicle design. It features a sleek body, elliptical tail and signature light design.

The post Genesis reveals all-electric X Speedium Coupe appeared first on Torque.

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Nissan Qashqai Prestige review: A cache of comfort

The all-new Nissan Qashqai is better than its predecessor in every way, and its best characteristics by far are its hushed cabin and plush ride.

The post Nissan Qashqai Prestige review: A cache of comfort appeared first on Torque.

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Kia Telluride gets more rugged following new facelift

The Kia Telluride has been updated with a new, more rugged exterior, while its cabin benefits from a new dual 12.3-inch display and redesigned dashboard.

The post Kia Telluride gets more rugged following new facelift appeared first on Torque.

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