Toyota revealed to America an interior image of the new GR Corolla late last month, indicating the hot hatch will come with an automatic gearbox instead of a manual. The image also included some Easter eggs like G:16 on the gauge cluster that refers to the G16E-GTS turbocharged three-cylinder engine under the hood. In the overseas-only GR Yaris, this same engine produces a healthy 268 horsepower and 266 lb-ft of torque.

Expect similar figures for the GR Corolla. It'll also feature an all-wheel drive system with a Torsen limited-slip differential front and rear, and an electronically controlled center differential. Consider us excited.

Today, Toyota has very quietly released two new GR Corolla exterior images on its Instagram account. Once again, Toyota has slipped in the same G16 Easter egg located on one of the shipping containers near where the still camouflaged prototype is parked. That container also has "GR Four" stamped on it.

An official reveal date still remains a secret but don't be surprised to see it happen this month or early January. With the Ford Focus ST out of production, the GR Corolla will face off directly against the familiar crop of hot hatches: the Volkswagen GTI, Hyundai Veloster N, and the Honda Civic Type R.

Those are all front-wheel-drive vehicles, thus perhaps giving the GR Corolla the upper hand in some driving situations. The Golf R does have standard AWD but it's not cheap. Its nearly $44,000 starting price is quite a bit higher than the expected $35k or so Toyota is expected to charge.

Like many popular new popular models, the GR Corolla could end up with unfortunate dealer markups once it goes on sale. That'll really all depend on how fast Toyota can build them and get them shipped to dealers. Complete details should arrive soon. Stay tuned.