The Special Edition Toyota Corolla hatchback in Supersonic Red paint and a body kit. (Toyota)

Special Edition Toyota Corolla hatchback gets red-hot Supersonic Red paint and body kit

Fireworks displays this summer might be socially distanced or even socially unacceptable, but Toyota just lit the fuse on a Corolla hatchback special edition that should get some attention, in Supersonic Red. On sale in late summer, the special edition will be limited to 1,500 hatchbacks, all in the unique metallic paint color.

The package adds $3,100 to the $21,565 MSRP of the Corolla SE with CVT. (Toyota)

Special features include black-painted 18-inch alloy wheels and a body kit that adds a splitter in the lower front fascia, side skirts, black rear roof spoiler and Special Edition badging.

The package adds $3,100 to the $21,565 MSRP of the Corolla SE with continuously variable transmission. Find 2020 Toyota pricing here.

Black-painted 18-inch alloy wheels are among the package features.

Special Edition Corollas (and the top-line XSE model) roll with the “big” engine choice: a 168-horsepower, direct-injected 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine with 151 foot-pounds of torque 4,400 rpm. The SE comes with the Dynamic Shift CVT (continuously variable transmission), but other models are available with a six-speed manual. CVT fuel economy ratings are 31 mpg city, 40 highway and 34 mpg combined, on 87 octane.

Standard equipment for the Corolla Hatchback SE includes automatic climate control, leather-wrapped shift knob and, with the optional CVT, paddle shifters, an electronic parking brake, three-door SmartKey locking system, automatic up and down windows and two front USB ports. The six-speaker audio system includes an 8-inch touch screen with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto or Amazon Alexa infotainment.

Slim, J-shaped bi-beam LED headlamps wrap into the front fenders and all-LED taillamps have a diffusing inner lens designed to accent the car’s stout stance, Toyota says.

2021 Corolla updates
All 2021 Corolla Hatchback models now have rear seat-mounted side air bags, bringing the bag count to 10. Other safety updates include Rear Cross Traffic Alert with Blind Spot Monitor standard on the XSE trim level, and optional for the SE grade with the SE Preferred package.

The black rear roof spoiler. (Toyota)

Also standard is the Toyota Safety Sense 2.0 suite of driver-assist technologies:
• Pre-collision system with daytime and low-light vehicle and pedestrian detection, with daytime bicyclist detection
• Full-speed-range dynamic radar cruise control (CVT only)
• Lane departure alert with steering assist
• Automatic high beams
• Lane tracing assist (CVT only)
• Road sign assist

markmaynard@cox.net

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