HomeFeatured VehiclesToyota rolls out 300-horsepower Corolla hatchback

Toyota rolls out 300-horsepower Corolla hatchback

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Toyota and its Gazoo Racing program are unleashing a 300-horsepower version of the Corolla hatchback for the 2023 model year. The cars will be powered by a turbocharged 1.6-liter 3-cylinder engine rated at 300 horsepower and 273 pound-feet of torque.

The engine is linked to a 6-speed manual transmission, which Toyota says stays true to the car’s “rally racing roots.”

The cars, to be built at the GR Factory in Japan, will be equipped with all-wheel drive with “customizable front-rear power settings.” The cars will come with complimentary 1-year membership in the National Auto Sport Association and include a high-performance driving event with “expert” instruction.

Pricing has yet to be announced, but the car will be available later in 2022 in Core Grade guise. In 2023, a limited run of Circuit Edition cars will be offered with carbon-fiber roof, vented hoods and rear spoiler.

British company wants $458,050 for Mustang EV

British-based electric-conversion specialist Charge Cars will unveil its electrified 1967 Ford Mustang fastback April 21-23 at Salon Privé London, a classic and collector car concours to be held at Royal Hospital Chelsea.

Priced at $458,050 each, the electric-powered Mustangs are constructed with new and officially licensed steel bodies with composite panels to reduce weight and with four electric motors providing 536 horsepower and massive and instant torque for a 0-to-62 mph sprint in 3.9 seconds. Charge Cars uses proprietary electronic software and hardware from Arrival. 

Only 499 such cars are scheduled for production, the company said, each with a range of 200 miles.

“We truly believe we have created something unique in the EV world. A brand new, hand built design icon that gives our customers a genuine emotional connection with their car,” Charge Cars chief creative officer Mark Roberts is quoted in the Salon news release. 

“Cutting edge technology, zero emissions but now with heart and soul,” he added. “This is just the beginning for us at Charge Cars.”

Dodge identifies ‘Chief Donut Maker’ finalists

Back in January, Dodge announced what seemed to be the ultimate job for a car guy (or car gal). That job, which will pay $150,000 a year and include a SRT Hellcat company car, is that of “Chief Donut Maker.” 

Dodge reports that more than 173,500 people applied, and 10 finalists have been selected for a final competition taking place at the Radford Racing School in Arizona. The job winner will be announced April 26 (aka 426 Hemi Day). 

DeLorean releases teaser photo

DeLorean Motor Company has confirmed its plan to reveal its new electric car at Pebble Beach on August 18, and has released a teaser photo showing the car’s left-rear corner.

Chevy unveils police package pickup

Chevrolet is adding a pickup truck to its fleet of Tahoe SUVs it offers for law-enforcement use with the 2023 Silverado Police Pursuit Vehicle, a crew-cab, short-bed, 4WD pickup the company says it designed for “high speeds and dynamic capability, with the added comfort and ample storage capacity needed for an everyday patrol vehicle.”

Among the truck’s standard features are a 355-horsepower V8 engine, Brembo front brakes, Rancho shocks, locking rear differential, skid plate, and 20-inch Goodyear all-terrain but speed-rated tires on black steel wheels.

GM, Honda working together on EVs

General Motors and Honda have announced plans to jointly develop “affordable electric vehicles” that will use the next generation of GM’s Ultium battery technology. The plan calls for global production of millions of EVs beginning in 2027. Production will focus on compact crossover-vehicle architecture, the largest segment in the global automotive marketplace.

A dozen new motorcycles from Honda

Honda has shown a dozen new motorcycles in five categories for the 2022 and 2023 model years. Categories included are sport, MiniMoto, dual sport, scooter and trials. 

Headlining the group is the CBR1000RR-R Fireblade SP, a new version celebrating the model’s 30-year history.

“We recognize that motorcycling comes in many forms, a fact that is reflected in today’s announcement,” noted Brandon Wilson, American Honda manager of sports & experiential. 

Pricing ranges from $2,899 for the 2023 Ruckus scooter to $28,000 for the new Fireblade.

Larry Edsall
Larry Edsall
A former daily newspaper sports editor, Larry Edsall spent a dozen years as an editor at AutoWeek magazine before making the transition to writing for the web and becoming the author of more than 15 automotive books. In addition to being founding editor at ClassicCars.com, Larry has written for The New York Times and The Detroit News and was an adjunct honors professor at the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication at Arizona State University.

1 COMMENT

  1. Toyota has become so stupid people cannot even drive normal Toyota expect they can handle 300hp rice racer. Wait for our insurance premiums to go up. A surcharge needs to be imposed on such cars to protect our insurance premiums.

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