What a time to be alive! Toyota’s Gazoo Racing division delivered again with a spanking new GR Corolla, a hot-hatch rival to the Civic Type R and Golf R!
Gazoo Racing is the brainchild of Toyota’s chief himself — Akio Toyoda. It was created in early 2007 to encourage and deepen the brand’s roots in motorsport history. Over the years, GR has developed into a powerhouse in racing, with four successive Le Man’s titles (2018-2021) and the WRC title in 2021. As a result of such successes, we enthusiasts were also blessed with race-derived homologations and sports cars such as the GR Yaris, GR Supra, and the GR86.
However, this time, Toyota has cranked up the notch by announcing a hard-core GR version of the world’s best-selling car — the Corolla! Of course, being the racing sibling of the original, the hot hatch looks dramatic from all angles. For instance, the front bumper has been replaced by a GR Yaris-Esque intake with large hexagonal grilles. Meanwhile, the headlamps look even sleeker and sharper and are contrasted with inverted V-shaped DRLs. Other differences from the standard version include 18-inch wheels, a rear spoiler, and a signature triple exhaust system.
Well, what is a GR without all the goodies under the hood? Toyota offers the GR Corolla in two distinct packs — Core and Circuit. The great news is that both trims receive a compact and beastly 1.6-liter turbocharged triple-cylinder engine, which churns out an impressive 300 hp out the crank (100 hp/cylinder!).
Toyota also kept the enthusiasts’ dream alive by shipping both models with a 6-speed short-throw manual transmission as standard. But probably the biggest feature is the 4WD system from the GR Yaris with adjustable torque distribution (40:60; 50:50; 30:70), aided by a manual handbrake! Talk about a stellar slide into FY22!
The Japanese automaker also made significant strides in the chassis front to bestow it with incredible handling characteristics — especially on the Circuit Editon. Firstly, the GR Corolla is bolted onto the GC-A platform with additional reinforcements on weld joints and structural glue to strengthen the shell further. Most body components are constructed from aluminum with some support from high-tensile steel in key areas to help dissipate forces better.
Additionally, the Circuit Edition features two limited-slip differentials (front and rear) like the Yaris for precise control. Customers can also opt for a Performance Package to unlock Torsen LSDs for an even better response.
Luckily, the GR Corolla retains most of the bells and whistles from the standard version, albeit in a bespoke interior style. For instance, the GR treatment is visible throughout the cabin with badges on the steering wheel and the front headrests. The sport seats are upholstered with suede and faux leather fabrics with red stitching, while the other areas receive the suede and leather treatment with red accents.
Furthermore, the dash features a fairly large 12.9-inch driver’s display and an 8-inch infotainment touchscreen with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay support as standard. The driver’s display was specifically designed with fast driving in mind, providing information like boost, cornering G’s, etc. The driver can also customize it, as it seems like several different interface designs will be available.
Last but not least, the hot hatch is also protected by the Toyota Safety Sense 3.0 active safety system.
The GR Corolla will be manufactured at Toyota’s Motomachi plant in Japan and a North America and Australia exclusive, with no plans to launch it in Europe.
Expect pricing details to be revealed shortly!
Gallery: Toyota GR Corolla
