Toyota has introduced a Corolla Hatchback Special Edition for 2021, limited to a number of 1,500 units in North America.

While the name is not the most original, chances are you’ll like the content because the 2021 Corolla Hatchback Special Edition looks the part. Helping it stand out among regular Corollas is an exclusive body kit finished in a striking Supersonic Red paint.

Based on the SE CVT grade, the Special Edition arrives in late summer 2020 with a sharp-looking body kit consisting of a sporty front splitter, side skirts, black rear roof spoiler, and a rear bumper garnish. Unique Special Edition badge and black-painted 18-inch alloys are also part of the package.

Read Our Review: 2020 Toyota Corolla Hybrid Is A Prius Without The Baggage

Interestingly, Toyota says the 2021 Corolla Hatchback Special Edition “foreshadows even more excitement still to come in the hatchback segment” which we hope is an allusion to the GR hot hatch the automaker has promised North America.

Until then, fans of hot Toyotas will have to settle for the Corolla Hatchback Special Edition which is powered by a naturally aspirated 2.0-liter Dynamic Force Engine rated at 168 horsepower. Something that might put them off is the standard Dynamic Shift CVT which includes simulated 10-speed Sequential Shiftmatic steps, paddle shifters and a Sport Mode.

Unique among transmissions of this type, it features a gearset used as a launch gear for start-off acceleration, before the CVT’s pulley system seamlessly takes over. All in all, it should be quite an enjoyable drive, considering that it also comes standard with a multi-link rear suspension.

2021 Toyota Corolla Updates: SE Nightshade Edition Returns, New Safety And Practicality Features

The Corolla Hatchback Special Edition headlines the updated 2021 Corolla lineup, which adds several style, safety and practicality upgrades. Customers can now choose between two new colors (Magnetic Gray Metallic and Wind Chill Pearl), which are both available with the Black Roof option. The SE Nightshade Edition returns for 2021, adding blackout trim and blacked-out 18-inch alloy wheels to the customer’s choice of Classic Silver Metallic, Midnight Black Metallic or Super White exterior color. As with the Special Edition, the SE Nightshade Edition comes with the CVT as standard.

Safety upgrades for the 2021 Corolla Hatchback include rear seat-mounted side airbags for all models and Rear Cross Traffic Alert with Blind Spot Monitor standard on the XSE grade and optional for the SE grade with the SE Preferred package.

The 2021 Corolla Hatchback also offers the Enhanced Cargo Space option at no extra cost for all models excluding SE Nightshade. The new feature lowers the cargo floor, adding 6 cu ft (169.9 liters) of total capacity (to 23 cu ft / 651 liters) behind the rear seats. This comes to the detriment of the spare tire which is replaced by a tire repair kit.