Toyota’s Taiwan distributor Hotai Motors has introduced the updated 2024 Toyota Corolla Altis GR Sport (GR-S). While the visual upgrades remain mostly the same as the facelift that was introduced last year, it’s under the hood where the changes really matter.

The hybrid version of the Corolla Altis GR-S is dropped while the naturally aspirated (NA) 1.8-litre 2ZR-FE petrol unit (140 PS/171 Nm) is swapped out for a 2.0-litre Dynamic Force (M20A-FKS) petrol powerplant that delivers 170 PS and 200 Nm.

This is hooked to a Direct Shift CVT automatic that sends power to the front wheels.

The GR-S variant is the only one powered by the NA Dynamic Force unit with the familiar 1.8-litre unit used on the non-GR-S petrol variants. The Corolla Altis is also available in Taiwan with a 1.8-litre hybrid powertrain that remains unchanged from last year’s facelift (Combined 122 PS).

Exclusive to the updated Taiwan-spec Corolla Altis GR-S are 18-inch matte black aluminium wheels, GR Sport body kit package, GR badges, as well as suede and leather combination upholstery.

The refreshed Corolla Altis GR-S in Taiwan also receives GR Sport tuned suspension and anti-roll bars though the rear maintains the torsion beam set-up introduced last year. For comparison, the Malaysian-spec Corolla (Altis) GR-S uses double wishbones for the back.

The Malaysian-spec Corolla GR-S is also powered by the 1.8-litre 2ZR-FE unit that is standard across the range. Introduced last year and fully imported (CBU) from Thailand, the Corolla facelift range and prices are listed below:

• Corolla 1.8E: RM 139,800
• Corolla 1.8G: RM 147,800
• Corolla 1.8 GR Sport: RM 152,800