Toyota has been on a roll in recent times, with regard to exciting performance models. Of course, we have Toyota’s Gazoo Racing to thank for that, as it managed to put “exciting” back in Toyota’s lineup. The GR86, GR Supra, GR Yaris, and GR Corolla are all great examples of how a Japanese car company, best known for its sensible commuter cars, can surprise everyone.
The GR Corolla, is particularly interesting as it is Toyota’s first all-wheel-drive, hot hatchback and can easily rival the Gold GTI and Civic Type-R. What you, probably, didn’t know is that 15 years before the GR Corolla, Toyota made another exciting hatchback, based on the marque’s best-selling model. It’s called the Toyota Blade Master G and aside from the funky name, it features some unusually exciting engineering choices.
Big Engine In A Small Package
By far, the most interesting aspect of any performance version is the choice of engine. Toyota’s Corolla has, for the most part, been a reasonably-priced, not particularly sporty proposition for sensible folks. The Blade Master G does away with the unremarkable inline-four engines and crams in a 3.5-liter, naturally-aspirated V-6.
The letters “GR” are also present here, but not because Gazoo Racing had anything to do with the car. It’s because of the engine code – 2GR-FE – which is the same engine that powers various, more upscale Toyota models like the Camry, Aurion, Avalon, RAV4, and others. Most importantly, it is the same engine that powers the Lotus Evora, Exige, and Emira, with some applications making use of a supercharger for power figures of over 400 horsepower.
In the case of the Toyota Blade Master G, the 2GR-FE is transversely-mounted and naturally-aspirated. This translates to a power output of 280 horsepower (209 kilowatts) at 6,200 RPM and 254 pound-feet (344 Nm) at 4,700 RPM. One key difference from the GR Corolla is the lack of all-wheel-drive.
The Blade Master G sends power only to the front wheels and a six-speed automatic is the only transmission option. There is a manual mode and paddle-shifters, but ultimately, the setup is geared more towards comfort than performance. This results in a 0 to 60 mph (97 km/h) time of 6.3 seconds, which isn’t bad considering the hatchback’s curb weight of 3,262 pounds (1,480 kg).
Previewing A More Luxurious GR Corolla
It’s important to understand that despite the potent, DOHC, V-6 engine, Toyota Blade Master G is not quite a performance-oriented model. It certainly isn’t as hardcore as the rally-inspired, all-wheel-drive GR Corolla. It doesn’t have a sports suspension, nor sticky, performance tires with barely any sidewall. It, actually, sits on very generic size tires, measuring 225/45 R17, front and rear. In many ways, Toyota Blade Master G is more comparable to the Mazda 3 2.5 Turbo. Both feature a torquey, naturally-aspirated engine, automatic transmission, and an upscale interior.
Essentially, what you are looking at is the European, first-generation Toyota A uris hatchback, which was sold as a Corolla in Australia, and as the Blade in Japan. Master G is, obviously, the range-topping version with the 2GR-FE V-6. As such, the interior is your standard Auris/Corolla interior from the mid-2000s to early 2010s. The main difference comes in the form of generous use of swede and Alcantara in places you would normally find generic, economy car plastics. This is accompanied by a gauge cluster that features a subtle, bronze background and a few other enhancements that make the cabin just that much more upscale.
Different Enough To Set It Apart From Lesser Corolla Models
Exterior-wise, the Blade stands out from its Auris and Corolla twins, sold in different regions of the world. It comes with a unique front fascia, featuring a unique front apron, headlights, and grille featuring a logo, unique to the Japanese Blade model. At the rear, you will find a clear version of the Auris/Corolla taillights with added extensions on the hatchback tailgate. Aside from that, it is the familiar, simplistic Toyota design language, typical for that era. In a wy, models like the Blade Master G are a stepping stone between Toyota's vanilla lineup and Lexus' more upscale offerings, and it shows.
How Does It Stack Up Against The GR Corolla?
Comparing the Toyota Blade Master G to the GR Corolla is like comparing apples to oranges. Both are hatchbacks made by the same car manufacturer, but that’s about all they have in common. Styling-wise, the Blade Master G looks heavily-sedated compared to the aggressive looks of the GR Corolla. The same goes for the inside where the Blade’s old-school luxury is contrasted by the contemporary, sporty, cockpit of the GR Corolla.
Both interiors make good use of Alcantara leather, but in the GR Corolla, it’s limited to the seats, steering wheel, and gear knob. The GR Corolla’s digital driver display is complimented by a 12.3-inch infotainment, touchscreen while the Blaze Master G makes due with an older, smaller version of Toyota's infotainment screen, although still offering Bluetooth connectivity.
At 3,252 pounds (1,475 kg), the GR Corolla is lighter than the Blade Master G, albeit by an insignificant margin. It also has all-wheel-drive and a six-speed manual unlike the Blade Master G, which us automatic-only. Both hot hatchbacks are very different in how they deliver power. The GR Corolla's mighty, 1.6-liter, turbo-three engine packs 300 horsepower (221 kilowatts) and 273 pound-feet (370 Nm). Toyota also claims a 0 to 60 mph (97 km/h) time of 4.99 seconds, meaning the GR Corolla can give some of the most iconic enthusiast cars a run for their money.
In the end, the Toyota Blade Master G is a much less complicated car as it represents the classic formula of putting a big engine into a compact car. In this regard, it is similar to cars like the Volkswagen Golf R32, Alfa Romeo 147 GTA, and even Renault Clio V-6. Sadly, Toyota Blade Master G was exclusively for the Japanese market, which makes it a true JDM car. As pointed out by, Ross Reviews, between 2007 and 2012, less than 3,000 examples of the upscale, hot hatchback were produced.