European Toyota fans may finally be given the fire-breathing GR Corolla they have desired.Reports confirm that Toyota is set to commence GR Corolla manufacturing in the United Kingdom by 2026. While they haven't officially confirmed a European launch, the hints are more concrete than they were.
For U.S. drivers, it also means more global supply and possibly some new features as part of a more comprehensive refresh for 2026. Below is everything we know (and don't).
GR Corolla Production Moving to the UK
Excitingly, mid-2026 will mark the start of Toyota GR Corolla assembly at the Burnaston plant in Derbyshire, England. This is the same plant already making regular Corolla models for Europe. This marks a significant milestone, as it's the inaugural instance of this high-performance GR model being manufactured beyond Japan's borders.
Why this matters:
- It will help satisfy growing GR Corolla demand around the globe
- It is part of Toyota's agenda of making cars as near to their markets of sale as possible
- It improves the chance for a GR Corolla launch in Europe
While Toyota didn't formally announce plans to sell the GR Corolla in Europe, having a production line in the UK definitely implies it is in the works.
What to Expect in the 2026 GR Corolla
Before official specs for the 2026 version are released, Toyota has teased some changes. According to U.S. updates, the next GR Corolla will likely come with a bit more torque and a couple of performance changes.
Here are what we can guess (but not confirm yet):
- A possible automatic transmission option will join the existing 6-speed manual
- Fine-tuning the handling or suspension changes coming
- It would most likely remain the same 1.6L turbocharged 3-cylinder engine, perhaps with enhancements.
Once again, these factors have not been publicly confirmed by Toyota, but they would be typical parameters of a mid-cycle refresh.
Why This Move Matters Beyond Europe
The hot hatch market in Europe is diminishing? In the last few years we've seen big names Ford, Renault and, yes, Honda all retreat from sporty compact cars. For Toyota to double-down on the GR Corolla means they are absolutely committed to keeping driving fun alive even within an increasingly emissions constrained world.
For the U.S. buyer, it shouldn't hurt bottlenecking. Hanging around with a non-limited production outside of Japan means they can keep up with demand, and is a potential step to send limited editions or special models to other markets.
2026 Toyota GR Corolla Specs (Based on Current Model)
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Conclusion
The fact that Toyota is expanding GR Corolla production to the UK signifies the brand's commitment to its performance division. While Europe’s official launch is still unknown, all signs lean toward it happening. And for U.S. drivers, this means more GR Corollas—and perhaps some exciting updates—is coming.
Source(Image / Thumbnail): carscoops
