Toyota's turbo-charged Sportivo sprinter

Toyota isn't really recognised for high-performance vehicles in Australia. Sure, it has the new ultra-light Celica and the mid-engine-mounted MR2 Spyder, but these vehicles aren't specifically targeted as go-fast vehicles.

In Japan, Toyota has the class-leading six-cylinder, twin-turbo Supra. This car is at the top of the Japanese sportscar food chain. Along with the Nissan Skyline and Honda (Acura) NSX, it is the car of choice in Japanese motorsports, akin to dominating Holden Commodore in V8 Supercar racing.

Toyota is obviously interested in the new and rather lucrative sportscar market, where models like the Subaru Impreza WRX, Nissan 200SX and Honda Integra Type R have all sold well above expectation.

With the introduction of the new Sportivo range, Toyota is well on the way to winning over the majority of sportscar lovers. This demographic comprises mostly males, between the ages of 20 and 40.

The first in the new Sportivo range is a brand-new turbocharged Corolla. Mated to the standard engine, a 1.8-litre, twin cam, multi-valve inline four-cylinder type, is an RHF4B turbocharger with intercooler.

This increases output significantly, giving the small hatch 237Nm at 3600rpm, which creates an impressive power-to-weight ratio when you consider this car weighs less than 1200kg (as compared to the WRX's 1400kg).

With peak power of 115kW, the small car isn't for the faint of heart. Toyota saw fit to include a number of race-specification modifications, too. A new TRD (Toyota Racing Development) clutch and clutch pressure plate means the car can put the power to the ground more effectively.

New spark plugs and fuel-injectors also help create more power as does a re-designed exhaust manifold and an upgraded electronic engine management system.

Because of the extra power on tap, other fittings have been added, such as four-wheel disc brakes with ABS and TRD-spec brake pads.

The Corolla Sportivo comes standard with a manual five-speed transmission. The car's independent front and rear suspension has been re-tuned for sharper handling and the car has been lowered to reduce drag.

Visually, the car has been improved from the base model, too. New front and rear spoilers, side skirts and a rather tasty mesh grill, covering the forward-mounted intercooler, give the car a more aggressive stance. Lower spotlights, a chrome exhaust pipe and 15" alloy wheels complete the image.

Inside the car, drivers will be able to relax in the comfy sports-style bucket seats, included for extra support under intense acceleration.

A three-spoke leather steering wheel and mixed leather/metal gear shifter add to the car's sporty interior feel.

Driver and passenger SRS airbags, Toyota's proven Safe-T-cell chassis and the aforementioned ABS, round out an impressive set of safety features on the small hatch.

The new Sportivo line also includes the smaller Toyota Echo and the Corolla Sportivo fetches $37,990.

Toyota could be on to a winner with the powerful new Corolla. Perhaps if sales of this pocket rocket are good, the company may even consider officially importing the powerful 3.0-litre twin-turbo Supra. Then again...