- A Toyota Europe official hinted that they’re working on bringing the GR Corolla to Europe.
- The AWD hot hatch will have an additional production line in the UK starting in 2026.
- Europe could receive the updated 2026 GR Corolla, already teased for the US market.
In an unexpected but not entirely surprising move, Toyota recently unveiled plans to build the GR Corolla at its Derbyshire facility in the UK, starting in 2026. This marks the first time a Gazoo Racing model will be produced outside of Japan, and the speculation machine is already running full speed.
Could this mean the GR Corolla might finally make its way to European and UK markets? According to a recent comment from a high-ranking Toyota executive, it’s certainly under consideration.
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Matt Harrison, Chief Corporate Officer at Toyota Motor Europe, gave Auto Express a glimpse into the automaker’s thinking. “We have a philosophy that you build where you sell, so to build in Europe and not sell in Europe would be counter to that,” he explained. “The gap between supply and demand is now, so it’s about how quickly we can get it. We need to act fast.”
This is a clear sign that Toyota’s European division wants to get its hands on the sought-after compact hot hatch, which could expand its performance lineup next to the GR Yaris. The GR Yaris will become the only Gazoo Racing model in Europe after the GR 86 coupe was killed off by emission regulations, and the GR Supra faces an untimely exit later this year. So, things are looking a bit bleak for Toyota fans who are itching for a little more excitement behind the wheel.
We’ve reached out to a Toyota PR representative in Europe for a comment and will update the story if we hear back.
The GR Corolla first hit markets outside of Europe in 2022, with launches in Japan, North America, and Australia. With high demand and limited production (just 8,000 units in 2024), long waiting times pushed Toyota to explore adding another production site alongside the Motomachi Plant in Yokohama.
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The automaker has already teased an updated 2026MY version of the rally-bred model featuring improved aerodynamics, chassis tweaks, and increased torque from the turbocharged 1.6-liter three-cylinder engine that makes 300 hp (224 kW / 304 PS). Chances are that European and UK buyers will get access to the updated model after its debut in the US market.
According to the British magazine, the hot hatch could hit UK roads within the next 18 months, after local production begins. Pricing is obviously expected to be higher than the GR Yaris, which currently starts at £46,045 ($62,100) in the UK.
Potential Rivals
ICE-powered hot hatches are becoming a dying breed in Europe. Peugeot never bothered with a successor to the 308 GTI, the Renault Megane RS is history, the Ford Focus ST will be discontinued later this year, and the Honda Civic Type R recently got a farewell special.
That said, if the Toyota GR Corolla makes its way to Europe, it will face some stiff competition. The hot hatch will square off against AWD-powered performance models like the VW Golf R, along with the more premium Audi S3, BMW 135i xDrive, and Mercedes A35 4Matic+.
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