Watch Out Ford Focus and Volkswagen Golf Fans - Toyota has a New Corolla Hatchback Heading to the New York Auto Show

TopSpeed

By Robert Moore

Published Mar 23, 2018

It's not the iM anymore

When Toyota Showed off the new Auris Hatchback and the Geneva Auto Show, we pretty much figured we’d be seeing a Corolla iM at some point, and we were right… kinda. It’s time to meet the new Toyota Corolla Hatchback and, according to Toyota, it’s designed to be a driver’s car that will make a huge impression.

Unlike the new Toyota Auris, which comes with only one non-hybrid drivetrain - a lowly 1.2-liter, turd in the box - the Corolla Hatch comes with a naturally aspirated 2.0-liter. Toyota hasn’t gone into too many details, and horsepower and torque are a mystery, but we’re willing to be that it has some decent power on demand, when needed.

Toyota has made big improvements on its resident hot hatch for this generation. It’s been lowered by an inch, stretched out by 1.5 inches, and is even 1.2-inches wider. Compared to the old Corolla iM, it also has a longer wheelbase and wider tracks in the front and rear. 16- to 18-inch wheels are available depending on your preference, and can even be had with a manual transmission. Those who don’t like to row their own can get that CVT with ten simulated gears, a launch gear, and a paddle shifter.

All that is fun and games, especially when you consider the fact that the TNGA platform it will be built on, but there are some important safety features in play too. Toyota will throw on AEB with pedestrian detection, lane departure warning with steering assist, lane tracking assist, and radar cruise control. Additional features will likely be available.

Toyota plans to launch the new Corolla Hatchback this summer as a 2019 model, so you better start saving (and cleaning that old rust bucket you’re driving now) if you’re planning to get your hands on one.