Toyota Is Making an Even Faster GR Corolla — A Hot Hatch for the Track
Toyota is working on a new and even faster version of its popular GR Corolla. This upgraded version has been seen in public with a camouflage wrap, but it’s already clear that big changes are coming. The car is expected to make its full debut this fall, and it might even become a special GRMN model — that stands for “Gazoo Racing, Meisters of Nürburgring.”
Toyota is adding serious upgrades to this GR Corolla. The engine is still the 1.6-liter turbocharged three-cylinder, but now it has special tuning to give it more torque. The official horsepower stays at 300, but Toyota says it’s pulled out more than the current 295 pound-feet of torque. This means faster acceleration and better power when driving hard.
You can see right away that this is a track-focused car. It has a vented hood, wide front fenders, and a huge rear wing — much bigger than the one on the current Circuit Edition. These changes help cool the car and make it look more aggressive. It also doesn’t have a rear windshield wiper, which may be a way to save weight.
The car rides on special 18-inch matte black BBS wheels. These are lighter and stronger than normal wheels. They’re wrapped in Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tires, which are stickier and wider than the tires used on other GR Corollas. These tires are great for track driving and high-speed grip.
Toyota says this prototype was “born on the track.” That means it was designed with racing in mind. It will even show up at the Formula Drift event in Long Beach this month. After that, Toyota’s Gazoo Racing team will keep testing it. Akio Toyoda, Toyota’s chairman and a part-time race car driver, will also take it for a spin before they finish the final version.
There’s a good chance this car could become a GRMN version of the GR Corolla. GRMN models are the top-level performance cars in Toyota’s Gazoo Racing family. Until now, these have only been sold in Japan and Europe. If this GR Corolla gets the GRMN badge, it would be the first of its kind in the U.S.
Toyota hasn’t said how much it will cost yet. But it’s likely to be more expensive than the $46,275 Circuit Edition. It could even be close to the $51,420 Morizo Edition. Either way, this new GR Corolla will be for serious car fans who want something fast and built for the track.
Toyota has been working hard to build fun and exciting cars again. With its work in racing, drifting, and rally, this new GR Corolla shows that the company is serious about performance. Whether it’s called GRMN or not, this version looks like the most powerful and track-ready GR Corolla ever made. Car fans should be very excited for what’s coming this fall.
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