A Toyota Corolla Nurburgring edition is coming, proving why we can’t have nice things

By Andrew Hard March 23, 2015

At long last, the moment that hardcore enthusiasts have been anticipating for years: a Nurburgring-edition Toyota Corolla. Somewhere, James May is throwing an absolute fit.

Scheduled to be built and sold in Thailand, the latest ‘Ring-themed vehicle to hit the pavement is a celebration of Toyota’s 7th-place class finish at the 2014 24 Hours of Nurburgring. That’s 7 out of 10, by the way.

Based on the Corolla Altis ESport, the ESport Nurburgring edition adds some sporty flair to the sedan’s exterior, including a tweaked front bumper, ‘piano black’ grill, 17-inch alloys, LED lights, a faux diffuser, and most importantly, stickers.

Power comes from the same 1.8-liter four-cylinder that pushes the standard car, which makes 140 horsepower and 130 pound-feet of torque. That thrust is channeled through a seven-step CVT, because nothing saying Nurburgring like a CVT. It does feature paddle shifters, though.

Inside, Toyota has adorned the cabin with a black leather seats and a slew of red inserts in the dash and carpet. Two colors, White Pearl and Black Mica, will be offered when the vehicle goes on sale April 1st for around $29,500. It will be officially unveiled at the 36th Bangkok Motor Show March 24th.

In other Toyota racing news, the automaker has announced that its entrant for the upcoming World Rally Championship will be based on the Yaris subcompact. The prototype equips a 1.6-liter turbocharged engine with more than 300 hp and will also be four-wheel drive.

The brand will reportedly prep a road-going version of the car as well, albeit in limited numbers, as required by the FIA’s eligibility criteria. Sources say it could be powered by a version of the 2.0-liter turbo unit found inside the Lexus NX 200t.

Editors' Recommendations

Toyota raises the curtain on 2020 Corolla Nightshade Editions

Topics

Former Digital Trends Contributor

Andrew first started writing in middle school and hasn't put the pen down since. Whether it's technology, music, sports, or…

Cars

Mercedes-Benz EQG: range, price, release date, and more

Concept image of the larger electric G-Wagon

The G-Class is going electric. We already knew that Mercedes-Benz was working on an electric, small-size G-Wagon, but it looks like the company is also working on a larger G-Class SUV, in the form of the EQG. In fact, Mercedes has gone as far as to show off a concept version of the off-roader.

While there's much we don't know about what will become the production model of the EQG, Mercedes has also shared a lot about it. Curious about whether the Mercedes-Benz EQG could be the EV for you? Here's everything we know so far.
Design
Fear not -- the EQG will retain many of the design aspects of the G-Class that you already know and love but with a modern face-lift. The EQG will keep the boxy design that gives the G-Class a classic look but with some additional modern styling, at least if the concept version is anything to go by.

Cars

Rivian R2 vs. Kia EV9: battle of affordable electric SUVs

Kia EV9 GT-Line Three Quarters

The long-awaited Rivian R2 has finally been announced, and it's an excellent option for those who want an electric SUV that doesn't completely break the bank. Sure, the R2 isn't cheap -- but it's a whole lot cheaper than most other EVs out there, especially when it comes to SUVs. But Rivian isn't the only company trying to tackle the problem of the budget electric SUV. The Kia EV9 is finally available, and it too offers a modern design and a range of helpful features.

Given the fact that the Rivian R2 and Kia EV9 are two electric SUVs in a similar price range, you might be wondering which is better for your needs. That's why we put the Rivian R2 and the Kia EV9 head-to-head.
Design
Both the Rivian R2 and the Kia EV9 are actual SUVs -- not crossovers pretending to be SUVs, like plenty of other EVs out there. The two vehicles offer big, boxy designs and plenty of interior space, making them excellent options for families or those who need that extra storage.

Cars

Rivian R2 vs R1S: How will Rivian’s cheaper SUV compare?

The front three-quarter view of a 2022 Rivian against a rocky backdrop.

Rivian has finally unveiled the R2, its long-awaited attempt at a more affordable electric SUV. The new vehicle may not be available just yet, but fans of Rivian's design aesthetics and feature set are already looking forward to being able to order the new car. The R2 is targeted at being a more affordable take on the electric SUV and will sit alongside the flagship-tier R1S.

Let's get this out of the way right now: The R1S is most likely going to be a better vehicle than the R2. Rivian isn't replacing the R1S with the R2 — it's releasing the R2 as a more affordable alternative, and there will be some compromises when buying the R2 over the R1S.