The newly revealed Toyota Corolla hatchback (Auris) has been designed to be a more exciting car to drive than the out-gone model, but it comes even more exciting as the new Corolla Hatchback drift car for the 2018 Formula Drift championship.
Piloted by 2015 champion Fredric Aasbø, this fire-spitting sideways machine is a very different beast under the skin. That’s largely because the front-wheel drive hatchback has been converted into a rear-wheel drive machine, but also because the standard 2.0 liter Dynamic Force engine has been replaced by a menacing unit.
The 2AR-FE 2.5 liter 4-cylinder unit from the pre-facelift Camry, has been stroked to 2.7 liters and given a turbocharger and nitrous oxide injection kit. All this means a power output of a massive 1,000 hp and 1,150 Nm of torque, all sent to the rear wheels through a Gforce GSR four-speed manual gearbox.
Related: Next Gen Toyota Corolla Hatchback Revealed
While the standard Corolla hatchback already sports an extroverted design with its L-shaped head- and tail lights and massive front grille, the outlandish Rockstar Energy Drink livery and widebody kit designed by renown automotive rendering artist Jon Sibal take it to a whole new level. The fat wheel arches house 18-inch Motegi Racing alloys shod with massive 265/35-section front and 275/40-section rear Nexen tyres.
Other modifications include custom RS-R coilover suspension, Sparco bucket seats, harnesses and steering wheel and a full roll cage. The Corolla Hatchback drift car is being fielded by the Papadakis Racing team and replaces last year’s Corolla iM. The car is already off to a good start, with Aasbø winning the season-opening Long Beach round earlier this month.
Watch the videos below and enjoy!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n1aSP0N5jJU
A computer animation professional with over 23 years of industry experience having served in leading organizations, TV channels & production facilities in Pakistan. An avid car enthusiast and petrolhead with an affection to deliver quality content to help shape opinions. Formerly written for PakWheels as well as major publications including Dawn. Founder of CarSpiritPK.com