Merely hours after spyshots first emerged, Hotai Motor, the official distributor of Toyota vehicles in Taiwan, has launched the new Toyota Corolla Cross GR-Sport. This is the second GR-Sport model to be launched in Taiwan, following the Corolla Altis GR-Sport that was introduced last year.

Prices for the Toyota Corolla Cross GR-Sport start from TWD 875,000 (~RM 131k) for the regular petrol variant, while the hybrid variant is priced at TWD 945,000 (~RM 141k).

Also Read: Spied: 2021 Toyota Corolla Cross GR-Sport spotted in Taiwan, launching tonight

Like the Toyota Corolla Altis GR-Sport that was launched last year, the SUV brethren also receives some handling improvements, including 30-percent firmer shocks, a retuned steering rack, and additional chassis bracing.

Also Read: 2020 Toyota Corolla Altis GR Sport launched in Taiwan, improved handling but no power gains

Visually, the Corolla Cross GR Sport gets a unique front bumper with gloss black grille with honeycomb inserts. The Corolla Cross GR Sport also gets clear-type LED tail lights and additional silver body cladding all-round.

Unlike the Corolla Altis GR-Sport, the crossover version does not get unique alloy wheels. It gets the same dual-tone 18-inch units from the Hybrid variant.

Changes within the cabin are limited to the new GR-Sport seats with white stitching, GR-Sport-branded engine start stop button, and infotainment system boot screen. The rest of the cabin is identical to the regular non-GR-Sport variants.

It's business as usual in the powertrain department. The Corolla Cross GR-Sport's powertrains are identical to the regular variant.

The Taiwanese Toyota Corolla Cross gets the choice of two powertrains. The first is a naturally-aspirated 1.8-litre petrol engine (140 PS, 172 Nm), followed by a petrol-electric 1.8-litre hybrid with a combined system output of 122 PS.

What about Malaysia?

At the moment, UMW Toyota Motor (UMWT) only offers one GR-Sport model in Malaysia – the Toyota Vios GR-Sport. It remains to be seen if the GR-Sport treatment will be expanded to cover models like the Corolla Cross.

Also Read: Quick Review: 2021 Toyota Corolla Cross in Malaysia, the proper benchmark for family SUVs

The regular Toyota Corolla Cross is priced from RM 124,000 (1.8G) and RM 129,2660 (1.8V) here, sans insurance, road-tax, and with SST exemption, valid until 31-December 2021.