Toyota’s 2023 lineup will now include their new high-performance sports car, the GR Corolla. Toyota’s new project child is the result of a transformation of the otherwise mellow and timid compact Corolla hatchback. The new GR Corolla notches another entry into Toyota’s GR lineup, their backroom experimental project racing division. The entrance solidifies the Corolla’s presence next to the GR Supra and the GR 86 in the United States, and next to the GR Yaris in other markets. While fans of the GR Yaris are disappointed that the tuned up Yaris will never make its way to the United States, they’ll be glad to know that Toyota has surgically implanted that same powertrain into the new Corolla.
The new Corolla will feature a 3-cylinder 1.6 L turbocharged engine yanked right out of the critically-acclaimed GR Yaris in different parts of the globe. With such an unorthodox powertrain, the GR Corolla will put up impressive power numbers with 300 horsepower to an AWD platform. The Corolla also puts down healthy amounts of torque at 273 ft-lbs mated to a 6-speed manual transmission. It’s important to mention that the GR Corolla will come with a manual transmission as its only transmission choice, which may have been developed with the 2023 GR Supra which too will be receiving a manual transmission for the first time in its production run.
The Corolla will feature Toyota’s first AWD platform meant for performance in nearly 20 years and it has been derived from Toyota’s history competing in rally races. The AWD system has been honed in and refined by WRC drivers and will be customizable and adaptable with different modes for different situations. Toyota also includes a Torsen limited-slip differential standard on the higher trim- the Circuit Edition, and as an option on the base trim, the Core. This new AWD system, which Toyota calls the GR-FOUR (a homage to past GT-FOUR Toyota rally cars) allows the Corolla to be able to be utilized for a multitude of motorsports including drifting and track use. The front suspension is a MacPherson-type strut design that offers both light weight and firm handling, maximizing the tires’ grip potential, which lets the Michelin Pilot Sport 4’s that it wears as shoes to be used to all their glory.
The bread and butter of the car really comes down to the unique powertrain that Toyota has developed. Pulled straight out of the GR Yaris which has been received with positive praise across the world, the 3-cylinder engine will squeak out 300 horsepower. You heard me right, that’s 100 horsepower for each cylinder. In a market that is highly saturated and is one of the last remaining relics of internal combustion engines on the car market today, the Corolla goes toe-to-toe with proven veterans in the hot hatch segment like the Volkswagen Golf GTI, and the Hyundai Veloster N. Even lurking into the hot sport compact sector with names like the Honda Civic SI and the Volkswagen Jetta GLI. Giving these vehicles a run for their money isn’t easy to do with the established Golf GTI surpassing over 6,000 units sold in 2021.
The new Corolla will come into the segment with significantly a lower power to weight ratio over its biggest competitor, the Volkswagen Golf GTI with the GTI pushing 13 lbs for each horsepower compared to the Corolla’s 10.83 lbs per horsepower. This will put the Corolla in a better position for performance on the track in addition to the Corolla’s 59 horsepower advantage set side by side with the GTI’s 249.
Track performance for the Corolla is justified even more with its carbon fiber roof, opting for a forged design instead of the traditional woven fiber pattern thus shaving huge weight off the scale. Proven by the Speed Racer-esque looks, Toyota has invested a multitude of resources into making the GR Corolla one of the most aerodynamic vehicles for the track. The Corolla’s roof descends into a downward hood, canards and a rear roof spoiler, as well as lower rocker panels all direct airflow in the most efficient way possible. Like we said, Toyota has plenty of racing background to stand behind. Even the turbocharger is integrated into the exhaust manifold to save engine space and weight.
Behind the vehicle sits a unique 3 exhaust tip design which equates out to… 100 horsepower per exhaust tip if I did my math right. The 3 tips are integrated into a flashy rear fascia with a sporty design to top it all off. The sportiest Corolla on the market right now, the XSE trim doesn’t even come close to how Toyota mocked this new design up. The Circuit Edition takes an even drastic path away from mundane with wider fender flares, a hood bulge, and a large rear spoiler.
The racy-boy design unfortunately does not show its head as much in the interior. The insides of the GR Corolla show a lot of tell-tale signs that this is based on the economy car that gets 40 mpg on the highway instead of the heavy track-focused vehicle that this is. However, the seats get suede covered with GR badges on the headrest, giving the driver the expectation that this could actually make it in one piece around the Nürburgring in a reasonable time. The shift lever throw has been shortened in order for quicker and notchy shifts, and the red stitching… don’t you dare forget about the red stitching. If there’s anything that says fast in a car, it’s red accents.
The new Corolla will go on sale later this year for the 2023 model year. Pricing seems to be around the low $30,000 range, which is more than competitive for the hot hatch segment. The GR Corolla also has a new trim lined up, the Morizo Edition which guts a lot of the amenities and is true track vehicle. That trim level will be super limited at 200 units and comes with a little bit of extra torque. Meanwhile we wait for Toyota to continue its trek back into the sports car world after a long hiatus… and of course, the Corolla to be released.
