Toyota has finally unveiled the 2024 GR Corolla, the long-awaited performance version of its popular compact car. The GR Corolla is not just a regular Corolla with some sporty badges and trim. It's a full-fledged hot hatch that shares its turbocharged three-cylinder engine, all-wheel-drive system, and sport-tuned suspension with the GR Yaris, a rally-inspired hatchback that is not sold in the US.
The GR Corolla is the latest addition to Toyota's growing lineup of GR-branded cars, which stands for Gazoo Racing, the company's motorsport division. The GR Corolla joins the GR 86 sports coupe and the GR Supra sports car as Toyota's flagship performance models. The GR Corolla aims to compete with other hot hatches, such as the Honda Civic Type R, the Volkswagen Golf R, and the Hyundai Veloster N.
But what makes the GR Corolla so special? And how does it differ from the regular Corolla? Here are some of the key features and specs of the 2024 Toyota GR Corolla.
A Fiery Three-Cylinder Engine
The heart of the GR Corolla is a 1.6-liter turbocharged three-cylinder engine that produces 300 horsepower and 273 lb-ft of torque. That's an impressive output for such a small engine, and it makes the GR Corolla one of the most powerful cars in its class. The engine also features a lightweight aluminum block, a forged crankshaft, and a water-cooled intercooler.
The engine is paired with a six-speed manual transmission that sends power to all four wheels via Toyota's GR-Four all-wheel-drive system. The system allows the driver to choose among different power-distribution modes, starting with a 60/40 front-to-rear split for every day driving to up to 30/70 to allow for drifting antics; a 50/50 split option is intended to provide maximum traction for racing.
Toyota claims that the GR Corolla can sprint from zero to 60 mph in about five seconds and reach a top speed of 155 mph. The fuel economy ratings have not been announced yet, but we expect them to be similar to the GR Yaris, which gets an estimated 28 mpg combined in Europe.
A Sporty Exterior and Interior
The GR Corolla looks more aggressive than the regular Corolla, thanks to its wider body, lower stance, larger wheels, and aerodynamic enhancements. The front fascia features a large black grille with a red "GR" logo, LED headlights with integrated daytime running lights, and large air intakes. The side profile shows flared wheel arches, black side skirts, and 18-inch alloy wheels wrapped in Michelin Pilot Sport 4S tires. The rear end features a roof spoiler, LED taillights, a black diffuser, and dual exhaust tips.
The interior of the GR Corolla is also sportier than the regular Corolla, with some unique touches and upgrades. The cabin features black cloth seats with red stitching and "GR" logos, a leather-wrapped steering wheel with paddle shifters, aluminum pedals, and carbon-fiber trim. The instrument cluster features a 7-inch digital display that shows various performance data, such as boost pressure, oil temperature, and g-force. The infotainment system features an 8-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility, as well as a JBL premium sound system.
The GR Corolla also offers some advanced safety and driver-assistance features, such as a pre-collision system with pedestrian detection, lane departure alert with steering assist, lane tracing assist, road sign assist, automatic high beams, adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitor, rear cross-traffic alert, and parking sensors.
A Limited Production Run
The GR Corolla will be available in three trim levels: Core, Premium, and Circuit Edition. The Core trim is the base model that comes with standard features such as LED headlights and taillights, dual-zone automatic climate control, keyless entry and start, a wireless charging pad, and six speakers. The Premium trim adds features such as front and rear limited-slip differentials, suede-trimmed seats with a heating function, a heated steering wheel, a JBL sound system with eight speakers, red brake calipers, and brake cooling ducts. The Circuit Edition is the most exclusive and expensive trim that comes with features such as carbon-fiber roof and hood panels (which reduce weight by about 40 pounds), forged alloy wheels (which reduce weight by about 22 pounds), Recaro sport seats with Alcantara upholstery (which reduce weight by about 26 pounds), Brembo brakes (which improve braking performance), and no rear seats (which reduce weight by about 55 pounds).
The GR Corolla will be produced in limited numbers for each market. Toyota has not revealed how many units will be allocated for the US market yet, but we expect it to be similar to the GR Yaris, which was limited to 25,000 units worldwide. The GR Corolla will go on sale in the US in late 2023 as a 2024 model year. The pricing has not been announced yet, but we expect it to start at around $37,000 for the Core trim, $40,000 for the Premium trim, and $45,000 for the Circuit Edition trim.
The Verdict
The 2024 Toyota GR Corolla is a hot hatch that we've been waiting for. It offers a thrilling driving experience with its powerful engine, all-wheel-drive system, and sport-tuned suspension. It also looks sharp and distinctive with its sporty exterior and interior. It also comes with a generous list of features and technology, as well as some exclusive options for hardcore enthusiasts. The GR Corolla is not just a Corolla with some sporty badges and trim. It's a full-fledged hot hatch that shares its DNA with the Toyota GR Yaris, a rally-inspired hatchback that is not sold in the US.
The GR Corolla is a rare and exciting car that will appeal to those who love performance and driving fun. It will also be a collector's item, as it will be produced in limited numbers for each market. The GR Corolla is the latest addition to Toyota's growing lineup of GR-branded cars, which stands for Gazoo Racing, the company's motorsport division. The GR Corolla joins the GR 86 sports coupe and the GR Supra sports car as Toyota's flagship performance models.
The GR Corolla aims to compete with other hot hatches, such as the Honda Civic Type R, the Volkswagen Golf R, and the Hyundai Veloster N. But what makes the GR Corolla so special? And how does it differ from the regular Corolla? Here are some of the key features and specs of the 2024 Toyota GR Corolla.
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