Toyota Gazoo Racing has added another hot hatchback to its growing line-up of souped-up GR performance models with the new 300 bhp GR Corolla. Compared to the standard Corolla hatchback on sale in international markets the GR badged model has received a comprehensive set of upgrades from the use of lighter weight materials, all-wheel drive, wider tracks, strengthened underpinnings to an even more powerful derivative of the GR Yaris' 1.6-litre three-cylinder engine. The GR Corolla will be offered in two variants, the standard Core model and a limited-run Circuit Edition with additional upgrades.
GR Corolla Core Edition lacks some of the design touches of the limited-run Circuit Edition
Starting with the cosmetics, the GR Corolla Core is wider than the standard model with the front and rear fenders wider by 20mm and 30mm respectively. The widening isn't just for cosmetic with the GR Corolla also featuring a 60mm and 85mm wider front and rear track respectively. Up front the GR Corolla gets a more aggressive look than its standard counterpart. Aside from sitting wider, the font bumper features a massive central air intake flanked by slim vertical vents. From the sides the wider fenders are accompanies by fender vents behind the front wheels, a wider side skirt bearing the words “GR-Four” and new 18-inch alloy wheels. At the rear the GR Corolla gets a wider more squared off rear bumper with a notable blacked-out lower section and a unique triple exhaust.
The Circuit Edition dials up the sportiness even further. It gets a new lighter aluminium bonnet with a prominent centre bulge and vents, a forged carbonfibre roof and a more prominent roof mounted spoiler.
Flared fenders, aggressive bumpers and triple exhaust common design elements in both GR Corollas
Toyota says that while the bodyshell does resemble that of the regular Corolla it has been specially constructed for the GR model.
Moving to the cabin, the basic design hasn't changed over the standard Corolla hatchback. The hot hatch gets several GR parts within the cabin including the steering, seats and gear lever while the digital instrument cluster too gets custom GR graphics.
Cabin gets GR steering, sports seats and digital instrument cluster with GR-specific graphics.
Toyota says that it that Corolla's GA-C platform has been further stiffened in the GR model to help further boost driving dynamics. The suspension too is upgrades with circuit-tuned springs, shock absorbers and stabilizer bars. The front features MacPherson struts while at the rear it gets a double-wishbone type multilink set-up.
1.6-litre, 3-cyls, turbo-petrol upgraded over GR Yaris to produce 300 bhp
Under the bonnet of the GR Corolla sits the familiar 1.6-litre three-cylinder turbo-petrol from the GR Yaris, only its been upgraded to provide even more power. The unit now makes 300 bhp and 370Nm and puts its power down via a short-throw 6-speed manual gearbox and Toyota GR's configurable all-wheel drive system that lets you split the power between a 60-40 front bias, a 50-50 power distribution or a 70-30 rear bias. A Torsen limited slip differential can be optioned on the Core model but is standard fit on the Circuit edition.
The GR Corolla Core edition will go on sale in international markets later this year while the Circuit Edition will only be available for a limited period in 2023.
