Wednesday, March 27, 2024

Toyota Corolla Hatchback Special Edition looks sportier, adds cargo space

The Toyota Corolla Hatchback made its debut two years ago. Consequently, we should not expect big changes this year. Nevertheless, the Japanese firm reserves a little surprise for amateurs, namely the marketing of a special edition for 2021.

The 2021 Corolla Hatchback Special Edition with a new appearance looks sportier and comes with more spacious storage space. It will not be owned by everyone because its production is limited to 1,500 units. Apart from that, all cars with a unique Special Edition badge will only be available in one color, Supersonic Red, and will have body additions inspired by Southern California mod shops.

All cars will only be available in one color, Supersonic Red.
All cars will only be available in one color, Supersonic Red.

This limited-run model adopts a bold and aggressive look with a front spoiler, side skirts, and a distinctive rear bumper. The latter eliminates false chrome exhaust pipes from regular versions. In addition to the underbody additions, all painted black, this special edition receives a black rear spoiler and 18-inch black wheels.

This Special Edition is only available with the SE configuration and with a continuously variable transmission, which will undoubtedly put a brake on enthusiasts of more sporty models. Like all other versions, the Special Edition combines the athleticism of the robust TNGA-C platform, responsive multi-link rear suspension, and the 168-horsepower 2.0-liter Dynamic Force Engine. The unit is managed by a CVT-type automatic transmission with a 10-speed box.

The body kit adds a sporty front splitter, side skirts, black rear roof spoiler, a rear bumper garnish and a unique Special Edition badge.
The body kit adds a sporty front splitter, side skirts, black rear roof spoiler, a rear bumper garnish and a unique Special Edition badge.

All Corolla hatchbacks will now be equipped with standard side airbags mounted in the rear seats. Also, from the SE livery, the model inherits the rear transverse traffic alert system with a blind-spot monitor. These are, in addition to the Toyota Safety Sense 2.0 suite of driver-assist technologies, still standard has an 8.0-inch touch screen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

Another novelty, it is now possible to benefit, at no extra cost, from an option that increases the load volume at the rear. In fact, it is that we take advantage of a floor that can lower, which adds 6 cu. ft. (170 liters) of volume, pushing the total to 23 cu. ft. (651 liters).

The press release issued by Toyota does not mention prices for this variant. The manufacturer said that the Corolla hatchback 2021 would be available at dealers later this summer.