President Akio "Morizo" Toyoda's Vision Realized: The GR Corolla, Featuring a 1.6-Liter 3-Cylinder 304ps Engine, Unveiled Globally | Toyota
GR COROLLA
GR Corolla with 304ps 1.6-Liter 3-Cylinder Engine Unveiled Globally
On March 31 (local time), Toyota GAZOO Racing unveiled the new GR Corolla in Long Beach, California, USA.
Scheduled for Release in Japan in Late 2022
The Corolla, Toyota's flagship compact family car, also has a history of models that laid the foundation for "making better cars starting from motorsports," such as the TE25 Corolla, which marked Toyota's first WRC victory, and the Corolla Levin that later won the 1000 Lakes Rally. The development of the GR Corolla began with President Akio "Morizo" Toyoda's strong desire to "bring back a Corolla that captivates customers!"
The engine is the "G16E-GTS" model, a further enhanced version of the GR Yaris's 1.6-liter inline 3-cylinder intercooler turbo engine, producing a maximum output of 224 kW (304 ps) at 6,500 rpm and a maximum torque of 370 Nm at 3,000–5,500 rpm. To improve exhaust efficiency, a triple-exit muffler with valves is adopted, balancing exhaust pressure reduction and silencing performance. The 6-speed manual transmission drives a sport 4WD system, the "GR-FOUR," optimized for the GR Corolla, enabling secure and safe control even at the limit.
The body, based on the 5-door hatchback Corolla Sport, measures 4,410mm in length, 1,850mm in width, and 1,480mm in height, with a wheelbase of 2,640mm. While inheriting the high-speed stability from its long wheelbase, it achieves superior cornering performance by widening the front track by 60mm and the rear track by 85mm. To accommodate this, the front fenders are extended by 20mm on each side, and the rear fenders by 30mm on each side. Furthermore, by retaining the convenience of a 5-door, 5-seater configuration, it achieves a high level of balance between everyday usability and driving enjoyment. Additionally, as a result of rigorous refinement of cooling and aerodynamic performance on all types of roads, including circuits, dirt, and snow, the car features intakes in the front bumper and outlets in the front fenders and hood bulge.
In addition to the highly rigid basic structure realized through production at the GR Factory (Motomachi Plant), steering stability is enhanced by adding braces between the rear wheel housings, under the floor tunnel, and under the floor in front of the tank. Furthermore, similar to the GR Yaris, it employs a CFRP roof panel molded using the SMC (Sheet Molding Compound) process, which allows for greater design freedom, contributing to weight reduction.
Inside, the interior features a short-throw shift lever positioned for natural arm movement from the steering wheel, enabling quick shifts. For vehicle control at the limit, such as during drifts, a hand-operated parking brake is adopted. A new Full TFT meter developed exclusively for GR vehicles has also been introduced. Modeled after racing cars and incorporating feedback from professional drivers, it enhances visibility during spirited driving.
The model is scheduled for release in Japan in late 2022.
