Toyota’s official distributor in Taiwan, Hotai Motors, has launched a new updated version of the Toyota Corolla Altis GR Sport. This is no small upgrade, as changes made here are not just limited to cosmetics, but also better performance, namely a new more powerful 2.0-litre Dynamic Force engine, giving it a starting price of 915,000 New Taiwan Dollars (approx. RM133,589). This engine is found in models such as the US-market Corolla sedan and Corolla Cross SUV.
On the outside, you might not be able to differentiate this new Toyota Corolla Altis GR Sport from the old one right away. Major changes made here include a more aggressive-looking front bumper with a new lower intake grille featuring “G” patterns, a black rear spoiler, smoked taillight clusters, and most importantly, larger 18-inch gunmetal wheels, similar to the ones found on the model sold in Malaysia.
But like before, it continues sports what Toyota calls the “GR family look”. This sportier-looking Corolla Altis also comes standard with GR Sport front and rear bumpers, side skirts, and a series of GR badges around the car.
Now comes the most exciting change made to this new Taiwan-spec Toyota Corolla Altis GR Sport, its powertrain. As mentioned above, powering the sedan is the brand’s 2.0-litre 4-cylinder Dynamic Force (M20A-FKS) engine, replacing the 1.8-litre (2ZR-FE), which is also found in the Malaysian-spec model.
This engine makes 170 hp (metric) and 200 Nm, which is 30 hp (metric) and 28 Nm more than what the 1.8-litre unit makes. The Direct Shift CVT gearbox the engine is paired with has been tuned to simulate 10 gears, up from just 7 gears.
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Toyota also claims that the transmission is now made to be sportier, especially when in sports mode, and will stay in a lower gear when needed. To help make the car perform better through the corners, the new Taiwan-spec Corolla Altis GR Sport, like before is fitted with GR Sport-tuned suspension, which has been even further enhanced this time around.
Despite the increase in power, the new Toyota Corolla Altis GR Sport with the 2.0-litre Dynamic Force engine now delivers better-claimed fuel economy of 16.5 km/l, compared to the 1.8-litre mill’s 14.9 km/l figure. Toyota says the new engine also has 40% better thermal efficiency.
Moving inside the new Taiwan-spec Toyota Corolla Altis GR Sport, you will find a very familiar interior, as not many changes have been made here compared to the previous model, and even the regular Corolla Altis. Toyota has added a series of red stitching to the interior to provide a sportier ambience.
There are also the black Brin Naub seats with red highlights, finished in a combination of leather and suede. Also thrown in are red seatbelts for all five seats to give a more exciting driving and riding experience. The black carpets are also finished with red piping to match with the rest of the car.
As expected, GR emblems can be found around the interior of the Toyota Corolla Altis GR Sport. This includes the front headrests, engine start-stop button, and the bottom of the steering wheel. Also featured as standard is a 12.3-inch digital instrument display and a 9-inch central touchscreen infotainment display.
The Toyota Corolla Altis GR Sport was first introduced in Taiwan back in 2020 and has now received a new update with better looks and better performance. In Malaysia, the Corolla Altis GR Sport made its launch back in August 2023, together with the facelifted Corolla Altis. Both variants are powered by the 1.8-litre Dual VVT-i engine.
With Taiwan being the first market to receive the newly updated Corolla Altis GR Sport, could the ASEAN region be next to receive it? Only time can tell.
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