The Corolla nameplate has been synonymous with reliability for decades, but it’s also synonymous with a less flattering adjective: boring. Toyota wants to change that by finally giving the compact car a true high-performance version (not counting the Apex sedan launched in 2021): the 2023 GR Corolla, developed by Toyota’s Gazoo Racing Performance Division.
While the 2023 GR Corolla debuted via livestream Thursday night, it was released earlier in the day on Toyota’s website at a staging URL. It didn’t take long for keen eyes to spot the page and post about it on Reddit. We have updated this piece with the latest information on the car as the information on this page was incomplete.
For enthusiasts, this is the most exciting Corolla-related development since the AE86 was offered in the 1980s, but it shouldn’t come as a surprise if you’ve been following the breadcrumbs. In 2020, Toyota announced it was bringing a hot hatch to the US and that it wouldn’t be the existing GR Yaris. Hot Luke was also teased in a promotional video. But now we know it’s a Corolla, and despite the difference in nameplate, the GR Corolla borrows heavily from its smaller GR Yaris counterpart.
2023 Toyota GR Corolla
That starts under the hood, where the GR Corolla uses the same 1.6-litre three-cylinder turbocharged G16E-GTS engine as the GR Yaris, but with a power upgrade. It makes 300 hp and 273 lb-ft of torque in this application, a big jump over the GR Yaris’ 268 hp, although the torque figures remain unchanged. Toyota says this is due to better exhaust efficiency via a three-piece muffler, as evidenced by the trio of exhaust tips protruding from the rear diffuser. Maximum torque kicks in between 3,000 and 5,500 rpm and peak power reaches 6,500 rpm.
Toyota declined to give a 0 to 60 mph time or a top speed, saying those numbers will be released closer to the car’s sale date. For reference, the GR Yaris offers a 0-60mph time in under 5.5 seconds and a top speed of 142mph. It will be interesting to see if the larger and heavier GR Corolla can match those times given its curb weight at 3,249 pounds is about 350 pounds more than the GR Yaris.
2023 Toyota GR Corolla
It will also have the same GR-Four all-wheel-drive system and only come with a 6-speed manual gearbox with rev-matching for downshifts. The AWD system allows the driver to choose from three levels of front/rear power distribution: 60/40, 30/70 or 50/50. The 60/40 split is for everyday use and 30/70 for sport mode, while the 50/50 setting is for the track or on a rally stage.
Despite riding on the same GA-C platform as the regular Corolla, the GR Corolla gets a stiffer body designed specifically for this car. Up front are McPherson struts and the rear suspension is a double wishbone multi-link arrangement, replacing the standard Corolla’s torsion beam. The standard 18-inch gloss black wheels are also wrapped in sticky Michelin Pilot Sport 4 summer tires. Torsen locking differentials front and rear are optional, but they’re standard on the Circuit Edition, the higher of the two trim levels. The Core trim is the base model and will be the first available when the car debuts later this year.
Compared to the standard Corolla, the GR Corolla offers a meaner styling to match its extra power, with scooped fenders that make it 2.4 inches wider and a widened, black grille flanked by functional air ducts on either side . On the sides, prominent rocker panels are marked with a “GR-Four” logo as a nod to the AWD system. The triple exhaust outlets have a large oval tailpipe in the middle, flanked by round tailpipes on either side. A rear spoiler crowns the roof and its size depends on the trim chosen: a lip spoiler for the Core base model or a larger matte black spoiler for the Circuit Edition.
2023 Toyota GR Corolla
Core models are offered with white, black or red exterior color and a body-colored roof with a gloss black rear lip spoiler. Every GR Corolla will come standard with an 8.0-inch touchscreen running the new Toyota Audio Multimedia system that debuted on the 2022 Tundra and features Android Auto/Apple CarPlay wireless connectivity. The 12.3-inch display in the instrument panel will also add GR-themed power gauges, which will relay information such as turbo pressure, gear position and the AWD mode being used. Also standard are aluminum sports pedals, push-button start and Toyota Safety Sense 3.0, which includes automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, active lane control, a blind-spot monitor and adaptive cruise control, among other safety features.
2023 Toyota GR Corolla
More exciting is the Circuit Edition, which will go on sale in limited numbers in 2023, although Toyota wouldn’t say how many units will be made. It will be painted in white, red or matte gray and come with a forged carbon fiber roof, vented hood scoop, red brake calipers and a larger matte black rear spoiler. Inside, it will have Brin Naub suede-trimmed front sport seats and red accents around the cabin (replacing the Core’s silver), as well as an exclusive gear knob signed by Morizo - Morizo is the alias Akio Toyoda uses when 24 hour race at the Nürburgring in 2007. It also comes standard with heated seats, a heated steering wheel, a wireless charging pad and a JBL audio system – all of these features will be optional on the Core.
The 2023 GR Corolla will be built alongside the GR Yaris at Gazoo Racing’s factory in Motomachi, Japan. Toyota says pricing information will be available closer to the car’s sale date.