The wait is over for enthusiasts craving a true performance hot hatch. Toyota has unleashed the 2023 GR Corolla, a vehicle born from the fiery spirit of rally racing and engineered to deliver exhilarating driving dynamics. Crafted by the TOYOTA GAZOO Racing team and personally approved by master driver Akio Toyoda, also known as Morizo, the GR Corolla injects serious performance and unmistakable style into the Corolla lineage. This isn’t just a Corolla; it’s a genuine GR sportscar, meticulously built at the GR Factory in Toyota’s Motomachi Plant, promising a driving experience that’s as engaging as it is rewarding.
Under the hood of the GR Corolla lies a powerhouse: the G16E-GTS turbocharged, direct/port injected three-cylinder engine. Don’t let the cylinder count fool you; this compact marvel generates a staggering 300 horsepower and 273 lb.-ft. of torque. Designed for rapid acceleration and responsiveness, the engine hits peak torque between 3000 and 5500 rpm, ensuring power is readily available when you need it most, whether exiting corners or merging onto the highway. The peak horsepower arrives at 6500 rpm, encouraging drivers to explore the upper reaches of the rev range and experience the full extent of its performance. Adding to the auditory thrill is a distinctive triple exhaust system, engineered to minimize backpressure and maximize power delivery, creating a sound signature that is as aggressive as the car’s performance.
Harnessing this potent engine is Toyota’s rally-proven GR-Four All-Wheel-Drive (AWD) system. This advanced system allows drivers to tailor the power distribution, offering settings of 60-40, 50-50, or 30-70 split between the front and rear wheels. This customizable AWD system ensures optimal traction and control across various driving scenarios, from daily commutes to spirited weekend drives. Staying true to its rally roots and emphasizing driver engagement, the GR Corolla is offered exclusively with a manual transmission, placing the driver firmly in control and enhancing the visceral connection to the car.
Built upon Toyota’s GA-C platform, the GR Corolla boasts a broad hatch profile and a low center of gravity, fundamental elements for agile handling and stability. The chassis is further enhanced with frame reinforcements specifically developed at the GR Factory to meet the rigorous demands of a high-performance hot hatch. Functional exterior air vents and carefully sculpted aerodynamic features are not just for show; they actively contribute to steering stability, particularly at higher speeds, ensuring the GR Corolla remains planted and predictable.
The GR Corolla lineup features two distinct grades: the Core and the launch-year exclusive Circuit Edition. The Core Grade, available in white, black, and Supersonic Red, presents a compelling entry point to the GR Corolla experience. It features a color-keyed roof, a black rear lip spoiler, GR-Four stamped side rockers, and assertive wide-fender flares, signaling its performance intentions. Inside, the Core Grade offers seating for five with GR logoed fabric sport seats, providing a comfortable and supportive environment for both driver and passengers.
Stepping up, the Circuit Edition is a limited-run model for the initial launch year, immediately setting itself apart with exclusive features and enhanced visual aggression. Available in white, Supersonic Red, and Heavy Metal, it shares the GR-Four stamped side rockers and wide fenders of the Core Grade but elevates the exterior with a forged carbon fiber roof, a vented bulge hood, and a more pronounced sporty rear spoiler. The Circuit Edition’s interior is equally special, featuring Brin Naub® suede-trimmed sport seats with striking red accents and a unique Morizo signed shift knob, commemorating Akio Toyoda’s crucial role in the GR Corolla’s development. Both grades are equipped with the all-new touchscreen Toyota Audio Multimedia system, ensuring modern connectivity and infotainment features are readily accessible. Pricing details are anticipated to be announced closer to the market launch later in the year.
The GR Corolla’s very essence is deeply intertwined with Toyota’s motorsport heritage. In 2007, Toyota embarked on a journey into endurance racing, participating in the grueling 24 Hours Nürburgring. This endeavor, initially an unofficial activity, was undertaken by a team named GAZOO Racing, comprised of Toyota employees, including Akio Toyoda himself, racing under the alias “Morizo.” Operating with a modest budget, the team entered the race with two second-hand Altezzas. Despite the challenges, both cars successfully completed the demanding race, marking the beginning of a new chapter for Toyota motorsports and product development. This era was defined by a spirit of relentless challenge and a commitment to driving change from within.
As TOYOTA GAZOO Racing’s first model developed and manufactured entirely for the North American market, the GR Corolla proudly carries this legacy forward. The development process was rigorous, involving extensive testing at Japan’s premier circuits, including Fuji Speedway, Suzuka, and Tsukuba Circuit, with professional drivers, expert engineers, and Morizo himself at the helm. The GR team further subjected the GR Corolla to demanding dirt and snow driving conditions with a Japanese Rally Championship driver, ensuring its performance capabilities were honed across diverse terrains and scenarios. This comprehensive testing regime left no stone unturned, allowing engineers and technicians to meticulously refine the acceleration, handling, and control to meet the exacting standards of the GR name.
To realize the ambitious performance targets for the GR Corolla, Toyota established a dedicated GR Factory within its Motomachi production facility in Japan. This legendary plant, the birthplace of iconic vehicles like the Lexus LFA and Supra A80, now houses the first GR production line, where both the GR Corolla and GR Yaris are precision-built. Departing from conventional mass-production methods, the GR Factory employs a unique assembly process. Instead of a traditional conveyor belt system, the body and assembly lines are composed of distinct cells interconnected by automated guided vehicles (AGVs). This flexible approach, incorporating numerous manual assembly techniques, enables unparalleled precision in body and suspension alignment. Variations in vehicle dimensions and weight are minimized, ensuring exceptional consistency and quality.
The assembly of each GR Corolla is a meticulous and time-intensive process, reflecting the dedication to quality and performance. Highly skilled technicians from across Toyota have been brought together at the GR Factory, forming a specialized team that not only assembles each GR Corolla but also actively contributes to elevating the technical expertise of workers at other Toyota facilities. This team structure embodies the core GR mission within Toyota: to develop exceptional people, cultivate passionate driving enthusiasts, and continuously strive to build ever-better cars.
The GR-FOUR All-Wheel-Drive system is central to the GR Corolla’s dynamic capabilities, representing Toyota’s first sports all-wheel-drive system in over two decades. Born from the demanding world of rally racing and co-developed with the TOYOTA GAZOO Racing World Rally Team, with input from WRC drivers, the GR-FOUR system delivers exceptional traction and control. Its engineering is focused on optimizing drive power distribution to each wheel while maintaining a lightweight and relatively simple design.
Designed for rally stages and diverse driving conditions, the GR-FOUR system offers versatility to match various driver preferences and environments. Whether navigating dirt, rain, or snow, or simply seeking a different driving feel, the system provides selectable modes to adapt to the situation. A simple dial allows the driver to adjust the front/rear torque distribution. The “Default” mode provides a 60:40 front/rear split for everyday driving. “Sport” mode shifts the balance rearward to 30:70, enhancing agility and fun on winding roads and circuits. “Track” mode employs a 50:50 distribution for maximum stability and grip during competitive track driving or special stages. In each mode, the torque balance dynamically adjusts based on driver input, vehicle behavior, and road conditions, ensuring optimal performance in every scenario. The GR Corolla Circuit Edition further enhances cornering prowess and grip with standard front and rear Torsen Limited-Slip Differentials (LSD). These LSDs manage left and right-hand drive torque distribution across both front and rear axles, providing a significant advantage in maximizing traction during cornering. For the Core grade, front and rear LSDs are available as part of the Performance Package, while 4WD open differentials are standard.
Powering the GR Corolla is the revolutionary G16E-GTS 3-cylinder turbocharged engine, an enhanced version of the powerplant found in the acclaimed GR Yaris. For the GR Corolla, output is boosted to 300 horsepower thanks to improved exhaust efficiency achieved through a 3-piece muffler with a valve and brushed stainless steel tips. This innovative design reduces both exhaust pressure and external noise, crucial elements for optimizing backpressure performance and overall engine output.
The G16E engine incorporates motorsport-derived technologies to maximize performance and durability. These include multi-oil jet piston cooling, large-diameter exhaust valves, and a partially machined intake port. With a displacement of 1,618 cubic centimeters, this compact engine delivers its impressive 300 horsepower and 273 pound-feet of torque with remarkable responsiveness. The lightweight and compact DOHC 12-valve engine features a single-scroll ball-bearing turbocharger, seamlessly integrated into the exhaust manifold to minimize weight. It’s paired with a 6-speed intelligent manual transmission (iMT) with rev-matching, engineered to handle the engine’s high torque output. Wastegate bypass gas control further improves catalyst warm-up efficiency. Fueling the combustion process is Toyota’s D-4S direct and port fuel injection system, operating at high pressure to ensure optimal fuel dispersion and efficiency.
Achieving the desired handling precision and responsiveness for the GR Corolla demanded a highly rigid body structure. Based on the GA-C platform, the chassis is significantly reinforced to deliver handling performance that directly rewards the driver. Enhanced rigidity is achieved through a substantial increase in weld points within the frame, particularly at critical joints. Further strengthening is gained through the extensive application of structural adhesive, increasing joint rigidity between component parts and creating a more cohesive and robust structure.
The front suspension utilizes a MacPherson-type strut design, chosen for its lightweight and firm handling characteristics, maximizing tire grip and responsiveness. Circuit-tuned coil springs, shock absorbers, and stabilizer bars compose the front suspension system, engineered to effectively translate the engine’s power to the road and provide optimal cornering capabilities across various surfaces. The rear suspension employs a double-wishbone type multilink system, specifically selected to accommodate the GR-FOUR AWD system and contribute to the vehicle’s agility and stability.
Wide tread tires are essential for achieving high cornering performance while maintaining the GR Corolla’s excellent high-speed stability, supported by its 103.9-inch wheelbase. Both grades of the GR Corolla are fitted with Michelin Pilot Sport 4 tires, size 235/40R18, mounted on 18-inch gloss-black 15-spoke cast alloy wheels. Braking power is substantial, with opposed, fixed-caliper disc brakes featuring 14 x 1.1-inch ventilated and slotted rotors and 4-piston aluminum calipers at the front. The Circuit Edition calipers are distinctively red-painted and feature the GR logo. At the rear, 11.7-in. x 0.7-in. ventilated rotors with 2-piston aluminum fixed-caliper disc brakes, also red-painted with the GR logo on the Circuit Edition, provide consistent and powerful stopping performance.
Weight reduction was a paramount consideration throughout the GR Corolla’s development, aiming to maximize performance without compromising structural integrity or safety. This meticulous approach is particularly evident in the car’s construction, with the strategic use of lightweight metals and materials in key areas. The Circuit Edition’s roof is constructed from forged carbon sheet molding compound, a lightweight yet highly rigid material that saves weight compared to a steel roof and contributes to lowering the car’s center of gravity, enhancing handling agility. Aluminum is used for the hood and front door panels, further reducing weight. High-tensile steel, known for its strength and relatively low weight, is strategically employed in critical structural areas to ensure the car’s ability to safely absorb and dissipate impact forces.
Aerodynamic efficiency is also a key element of the GR Corolla’s design. The nose section flows into a tapering roofline, optimizing airflow over the vehicle. Wind is channeled towards the rear spoiler, generating downforce and enhancing stability at higher speeds. Inspired by rally car design, the shaping of the front and rear canards and GR-FOUR stamped lower rockers effectively manage airflow along the sides of the vehicle, reducing drag and improving stability. Hood, fender, and rear bumper ducts, along with a flat underfloor, further minimize drag, increase downforce, and enhance overall aerodynamic performance.
The GR Corolla’s exterior design projects a rally-ready hot hatch aesthetic with its wide stance and assertive hatch profile. The black GR badged functional matrix grille immediately signals its performance intent. Flanked by functional air ducts on both sides, the front grille on the Circuit Grade features a gloss-black finish and integrated LED fog lamps. Auto on/off LED headlamps and LED DRLs are standard on both grades, providing modern lighting technology and enhanced visibility. Both grades feature wide front and rear fender flares, contributing to the car’s muscular stance. The Circuit Edition distinguishes itself with a bulge hood incorporating functional gloss-black air ducts. Its carbon fiber roof is paired with a matte-black roof-mounted shark fin antenna, while the Core Grade features an aluminum hood with a color-keyed roof and matching shark-fin antenna. Gloss-black heated power outside mirrors with turn signal indicators, gloss-black window molding, and black GR Corolla badges are standard across both grades, adding to the cohesive and sporty exterior design. At the rear, both grades feature a lower bumper cover with functional air vents, finished in gloss-black on the Circuit Edition for a premium touch. The tapering roofline and rear pillars are complemented by a high-mounted matte-black rear spoiler on the Circuit Edition and a gloss-black rear lip spoiler on the Core Grade. The wide track and flared rear wings emphasize the car’s low and wide silhouette, further enhancing its dynamic visual appeal.
Inside, the GR Corolla’s interior design is driver-focused, reflecting its performance character, particularly in the cockpit area. Incorporating feedback from professional drivers, a newly developed GR Full TFT meter with a 12.3-inch color Multi-Information Display (MID) is featured. This display includes a GR meter with dedicated readouts for 4WD mode, turbo pressure, gear position, and tachometer. The brightly illuminated display is designed for excellent visibility in all lighting conditions and even features a GR start-up animation, adding a touch of performance flair. The shift lever is designed with a shortened stroke for quick and precise gear changes. Positioned for ergonomic ease, where the driver’s arm naturally rests when lowered from the steering wheel, the shift action is light and direct, enhancing the overall driving experience. The GR Corolla utilizes a pull-type mechanical parking brake, further emphasizing its performance-oriented nature.
The Circuit Edition’s interior is finished in black with striking red trim accents on the door handles, center console, steering wheel, and side air vents, creating a sporty and visually engaging environment. The Core Grade features a black and silver interior trim scheme, offering a more understated yet still performance-oriented ambiance. Brin Naub® suede and synthetic leather-trimmed sport seats with red stitching, red mesh inserts, and GR badged headrests are standard on the Circuit Edition, providing a premium and supportive seating experience. These seats also include a 6-way adjustable driver’s seat with a seatback pocket and a 4-way adjustable front passenger seat with a seatback pocket. The Core Grade features fabric sport seats with gray stitching and GR badged headrests, along with a 6-way adjustable driver’s seat with a suede sheet seatback pocket and a 4-way adjustable front passenger seat with a seatback pocket.
Automatic climate control, power windows with one-touch auto up/down, and heated front seats and steering wheel are standard on the Circuit Edition, adding comfort and convenience. Heated front seats and steering wheel are available as part of the Cold Weather package option on the Core Grade. A GR leather-trimmed tilt/telescopic sport steering wheel with audio, Multi-Information Display, Bluetooth® hands-free phone, and voice-command controls is standard on the Circuit Edition, putting essential controls at the driver’s fingertips. A unique “Morizo” signed shift knob is exclusive to the launch-year Circuit Edition, adding a special touch of exclusivity and commemorating Akio Toyoda’s influence. Both grades feature a push-button GR engine start/stop button, aluminum sport pedals, two USB charging ports, a 12V auxiliary power outlet, lighted footwells, a front console tray, and a rear console box. Qi-compatible wireless smartphone charging with a full charge indicator light is standard on the Circuit Edition and available as part of the Technology package on the Core Grade, ensuring modern device integration.
All GR Corolla models are equipped with Toyota’s all-new, North American-developed Audio Multimedia system. Featuring an 8-inch touchscreen, the system offers an enhanced user interface and a wide array of connectivity and convenience features, including Over-the-Air (OTA) updates, ensuring the system remains current with the latest software and features. Users can interact with the system through both touch and voice activation. The Intelligent Assistant, accessible via Drive Connect*, responds to natural language commands like “Hey Toyota,” enabling voice-activated control for navigation, Points of Interest (POI) searches, audio adjustments, climate control, and more. The cloud-based native navigation system, also part of Drive Connect, provides real-time Over-the-Air updates for mapping and Points of Interest (POI), and integrates Google POI data for up-to-date search functionality.
Toyota Audio Multimedia supports simultaneous dual Bluetooth phone connectivity and wireless Apple CarPlay® and Android Auto™ compatibility. A Wi-Fi Connect subscription provides 4G connectivity for up to five devices. In addition to HD Radio, USB data, and a SiriusXM® Platinum Plan 3-month trial subscription, Wi-Fi Connect enables Integrated Streaming, allowing users to link their Apple Music® and Amazon Music subscriptions for seamless in-vehicle control. The Circuit Edition offers an upgraded audio experience with an available eight-speaker JBL® Premium Audio system, including an 8-channel HiD 800-watt amplifier and subwoofer, delivering immersive sound quality. The GR Corolla also includes a suite of standard Connected Services. Safety Connect provides an Emergency Assistance Button (SOS), 24/7 Enhanced Roadside Assistance, Automatic Collision Notification, Stolen Vehicle Locator, and Collision Assistance with a 1-year trial service. Service Connect offers Vehicle Health Reports, Maintenance Alerts, and reminders with a 3-year trial.
Safety is paramount in the GR Corolla, with all grades equipped standard with Toyota Safety Sense 3.0 (TSS 3.0). This comprehensive suite of safety features includes enhancements enabled by improved system sensors with greater detection capabilities. The Pre-Collision System with Pedestrian Detection now also detects motorcyclists and guardrails under certain conditions. When turning or approaching intersections, the system is designed to detect oncoming vehicles and provide audio/visual alerts and automatic braking if necessary. Improved lane recognition enhances the performance of Lane Departure Alert with Steering Assist and Lane Tracing Assist. Dynamic Radar Cruise Control (DRCC) is also standard, maintaining a set speed and following distance from preceding vehicles. Lane Departure Alert with Steering Assist alerts the driver and provides gentle steering correction if the vehicle begins to drift out of its lane without signaling. Lane Tracing Assist, when DRCC is engaged, uses lane markers or a preceding vehicle to help keep the GR Corolla centered in its lane. Automatic High Beams automatically switch between high and low beams based on detected preceding or oncoming vehicles. Road Sign Assist uses a forward-facing camera to recognize certain road signs and display them on the multi-information display (MID). Toyota’s Rear Seat Reminder is standard on all GR Corolla grades, alerting the driver to check the rear seat upon exiting the vehicle if a rear door was opened at the beginning of the journey or after the vehicle was started.
In addition to TSS 3.0, standard safety features include Blind Spot Monitor (BSM) and Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA). BSM helps detect vehicles in adjacent lanes, while RCTA provides added peace of mind when backing out of parking spaces by alerting the driver to approaching vehicles from either side. Hill Start Assist Control (HAC) is also standard, preventing the vehicle from rolling backward when starting on an incline.
For the GR Corolla Core Grade, optional packages allow for further customization. The Performance package includes front and rear Torsen Limited Slip Differentials (LSD) and upgraded brakes with 4-piston aluminum fixed-caliper disc brakes with red-painted calipers and GR logo, 14-in. x 1.1-in. ventilated and slotted front rotors, and 2-piston aluminum fixed-caliper disc brakes with red-painted calipers and GR logo, 11.7-in. x 0.7-in. ventilated rear rotors. The Technology package adds the JBL® Premium Audio system with Clar-Fi® and Qi-compatible wireless smartphone charging. The Cold Weather Package includes heated front seats and a heated steering wheel, enhancing comfort in colder climates.
Preliminary Specifications
All specifications are estimated and subject to change.
GR Corolla pricing will be announced in the coming months, with sales expected to commence later this year. Like all Toyota vehicles, the GR Corolla is backed by Toyota’s comprehensive warranty and ToyotaCare services, providing peace of mind and long-term support. The GR Corolla is poised to reignite the hot hatch segment, delivering a thrilling blend of rally-inspired performance, cutting-edge technology, and unmistakable Toyota reliability.
