UMW Toyota Motor seems to have big plans for 2023, as the automaker is most likely to include the Toyota Corolla Cross GR Sport in its local lineup. The sportier version of the ongoing Corolla Cross would be a great addition and surely be a welcomed addition to the range.

Though we are still waiting for an official announcement from the automaker, an advertisement posted on a car-selling website indicates the soon arrival of the Corolla Cross GR Sport variant. The said listing hint towards the arrival of a Hybrid trim and misses out on the conventional 1.8L petrol option completely.

Here in Malaysia, Toyota already offers the Corolla Cross Hybrid model for RM 142,000; thus indicating the GR Sport hybrid version of the Corolla Cross costs a little bit more than that, maybe around RM 150k.

The Toyota Corolla Cross GR Sport hybrid version is already on sale in Thailand and we feel the upcoming local-spec version might match many of its specifications. Though the actual specs and pricing will be revealed with the car’s launch, there's no harm in taking all the hints we can get.

Malaysia-spec Toyota Corolla Cross GR Sport: What to expect

Powertrain configuration

Powering the Thai-spec Corolla Cross GR Sport is a 1.8-litre Atkinson-cycle petrol engine making 98 PS and 142 Nm of torque. The e-motor is also a part of the setup and generates 72 PS and 163 Nm of torque; the combined system output sits at 122 PS.

The powertrain configuration allows the hybrid to deliver a mileage of 23.3 kmpl.

Design

Being a GR Sport the Corolla Cross GR Sport features a bold and beautiful design theme. The exciting bits on the outside include -

• A new grille with a horizontal bar and a thick gloss-black surround
• Styling headlights
• A more aggressive triple-air intake design
• A beefier decorative skid plate
• Clear LED tail lights
• Black roof
• Unique 18-inch turbine-design two-tone alloy wheels

Cabin inclusions

Like the exterior, the GR Sport model benefits from a striking interior. Some of the essential inclusions being

• Black leather seats with a white center stripe
• GR-embossed headrests
• A perforated leather-wrapped gear knob
• Gloss black interior trim
• A smattering of GR badges

Other inclusions

Chassis tweaks including retuned steering and a lower strut bar
A low-speed stop-and-go function for the adaptive cruise control

What do you think of the upcoming Toyota Corolla Cross GR Sport? Are you excited about the new & sporty Toyota? Let us know in the comments.

Also Read: The most powerful version of the Toyota Hilux GR Sport introduced