Quote:
Originally Posted by weederr33
Would it really be that heavy? 
Though I'd still take a GR4 Corolla if the Yaris won't happen. It would be a nice alternative to the Veloster N, CTR, or Golf R. |
Current 'rolla hatch is claimed 3,060 lbs curb weight with a FWD powertrain and NA engine. Turbo I3 will likely be heavier than the 2L I4 due to cooling equipment needed to keep ~270hp from cooking itself (vs. a pretty lazy ~170hp in the current hatch) and then you have an AWD system to slap into it which is likely going add at least a hundred lbs on top of the current Corolla layout. The current hatch doesn't have much weight to shed imho except for throwing money at body panels and chassis bits and bobs for minimal returns, that's why the Yaris had my attention, they gutted the TNGA chassis for weight, a ~2,800 lb car with AWD in this day and age is awesome.
It'll probably also pick up weight due to needing a different suspension layout in the rear, current 'rolla rear suspension doesn't facilitate driveshafts back there, the spring is in the way. Likely converting to a rear coilover setup which may require different chassis bracing, but that should all be built into the TNGA platform as-is. Wish I could find a picture of the TNGA AWD rear suspension layout, it should be interesting given the FWD's rear damper positioning...
Hopefully they can price match the Veloster N otherwise I don't think it stands a chance in the segment. The Veloster N will be lighter vs the CGR4 with similar power so it'll be down to how well the AWD system works and if people are willing to shell out an extra $5k for the CTR/GolfR/STI or even a used FoRS.
Edit; corolla sedan drops >100# vs the hatch, claimed 2910# curb weight but I'm even less interested in that format.
Larry Chen posting a bunch of WRC Yaris pics this morning hasn't helped me on this issue
Edit 2: 4-door Yaris in Japan is 2,601 lbs at it's heaviest that I can find, the 2dr GR4 is ~2822lbs so this hypothetical Corolla GR4 would be >3,200 lbs with ~270 hp. And I think I'm being optimistic with that number since to get to that weight the GR4 had to shed 2 doors, lower the roofline, and use lightweight body panels.
Yaris GR4 2800lbs/270hp = 10.4 lbs/hp
Rolla GR4 3200lbs/270hp = 11.8 lbs/hp
Focus RS 3434lbs/350hp = 9.8 lbs/hp
Civic Type R 3121lbs/306hp = 10.2 lbs/hp
Veloster N 3036lbs/275hp = 11.0 lbs/hp
STI 3400lbs/310hp = 11.0 lbs/hp
Golf R 3350lbs/288hp = 11.6 lbs/hp
86 2750lbs/205hp = 13.4 lbs/hp
Maybe if the Corolla is a turbo 4-banger that can match or better 11.0 lbs/hp I might be able to justify it against the competition. But I suspect the STI will get an update at some point in the near future and I doubt it will be lighter than the CTR or Veloster N so a CGR4 would always land somewhere in the middle. Maybe they keep the 270hp 1.6L turbo and FWD, squarely aim at the Veloster for that $30k price ad=nd performance point, that could work out ok especially if it comes with a decent differential.