The refreshed Toyota Corolla Altis GR Sport debuts in Thailand

The Toyota Corolla Altis in its GR Sport trim has been available in the Thailand market for about three years now. It was one of the first few models in the country o receive the Gazoo Racing treatment with a couple of exterior and interior upgrades. As the sedan is now at the right age for a minor upgrade or a facelift, the Japanese automaker has given the vehicle a refreshed look.

While its exterior shape remains the same, the 2022 model year Toyota Corolla Altis GR Sport looks a lot more aggressive. The front end now comes with a new bumper and grille design that also features a wider center intake and sharper corner vents. With these new parts, the Corolla Altis now looks a little closer to its bigger brother the facelifted Toyota Camry. 

Aside from the new look, the Corolla Altis GR Sport also comes with new side skirts, a new rear bumper spoiler, black side mirror covers, a new set of 17-inch wheels, and course GR Sport emblems all around. 

On the inside, not much has changed with the sedan, although red accents have been added to the cabin to give it a sportier look. Paddle shifters have also been added to the vehicle along with an engine start/stop button with the GR logo. Apart from these new interior additions, Toyota says that it has also tuned the suspension of the sedan by giving it new shock absorbers, springs, and a new rear stabilizer bar. 

Under the hood, the refreshed Toyota Corolla Altis GR Sport still comes with a 1.8-liter gasoline engine that produces 138 hp and is paired to a seven-speed CVT. It also still retains the 1.8-liter hybrid powerplant that it shares with the Corolla Cross.

With the new GR Sport Altis available in Thailand it is only a matter of time before it reaches the Philippine market. For that to happen, however, Toyota Philippines may have to give the existing Corolla Altis an upgrade to match the more aggressive look of the GR Sport.