Are we experiencing a hot-hatch revival? Let’s say yes because that’s what we desire. Toyota appears to desire it as well, as the much awaited 2023 GR Corolla has been revealed.
- With 300 horsepower and all-wheel drive, the Toyota GR Corolla hot hatch debuts in 2023.
- Both the Core and Circuit Edition models come with a six-speed manual transmission as standard equipment.
- Beginning later this year, the GR Corolla will be available in the United States.
Gazoo Racing, Toyota’s performance and motorsports subsidiary, has been producing tuned-up versions of cars we can’t obtain here in the US, most notably the Yaris GR. Thankfully, it appears like the GR Corolla will deliver everything we enjoyed about the previous model and more.
Performance Toyota GR Corolla
There will be two trim levels for the GR Corolla: Core and Circuit Edition. A carbon-fiber roof, hood bulge, and wider rear spoiler are included in the latter. With hefty, flared fenders and a reworked version of the Corolla’s big scowl of a grille that makes the GR look like it’s smiling, both trims are rally-car wide and RC-car stupid in the nicest way.
Why shouldn’t it be content? It has a beefed-up version of the Yaris GR’s turbocharged 1.6-liter three-cylinder engine under the hood. The engine of the Yaris produces 257 horsepower. The G16E-GTS will produce 300 horsepower and 273 pound-feet of torque in the Corolla.
Per cylinder, there are 100 horses. The Corolla exhaust system has three exhaust outlets to reduce backpressure and increase engine output. It also looks great coming out the back.
The three cylinders use oil jets to cool the pistons, huge exhaust valves to swiftly expel spent gasses, and a modified intake port for greater flow to keep the direct-injected engine together at its 6500 rpm high power peak.
How about six gears, as in a manual transmission, if three exhaust tips and three oil-cooled pistons aren’t enough to pique your interest? The GR Corolla caters to purists by offering just a six-speed manual transmission with rev-matching capability.
The Feeling of Driving a Toyota Corolla GR
Toyota’s first sporty all-wheel-drive system in decades is featured on the Corolla. The GR-Four system is built for different terrains and quick adjustability, and is engraved on the door sills in a charming little historical tribute to the GT-Four rally cars of the 1980s.
The default torque distribution is 60:40 front to rear, although it can be as rear-wheel biased as 30:70 or as even as 50:50. Power is sent to open differentials by default, with front and rear Torsen limited-slip differentials available as part of the Performance package on the Core (the Torsen diffs are standard on the Circuit Edition).
The frame features additional welds to strengthen joints and more structural adhesive utilized between attached components to prepare for the gravel-spewing, rise-jumping life your GR Corolla will undoubtedly experience. Tuned struts are used in the front, while the rear suspension is a multilink structure built around the AWD system.
The GR is 2.4 inches wider than a conventional Corolla, and it rides on gloss-black 15-spoke alloy wheels with Michelin Pilot Sport 4 tires in the 235/40R-18 size. Front brake rotors are 14.0-inch slotted, and rear brake rotors are 11.7-inch slotted. With red calipers bearing the GR emblem, the Circuit Edition brings them to a halt.
The interior of the GR isn’t as striking as the appearance, but it still has a few racy details that set it unique. This is especially true in the Circuit Edition, which features a leather-trimmed steering wheel, a branded shifter, suede and faux leather sports seats with red accents, and headrest badges. Both models have a 12.3-inch gauge display with a GR-only performance readout, a short-throw shifter, and a mechanical parking brake, while the Core model has fabric seats without red accents.
Conclusion
With Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, various charging connections, and optional wireless charging, the infotainment software and comfort features appear to be standard Corolla. Both versions of the GR Corolla come standard with Toyota Safety Sense 3.0’s array of technologies, which may appear like anachronisms in a car designed for hooliganism.
We’re hoping for something in the low $30,000 bracket, although pricing has yet to be revealed. The GR Corolla will be available later in 2022, and we’re looking forward to getting one lined up for a hot-hatch test.
