TGR unleashes GR Corolla

ON the eve of the most important dates in the aftermarket tuner calendar, Toyota GAZOO Racing (TGR) launched the all-new GR Corolla in Long Beach, California, USA, last March 31. The new sports sedan’s introduction comes a day before the start of the Formula Drift and introduces the left-hand drive version of the car in the US before it hits the streets of Japan in the second half of 2022.

The GR Corolla sprang to life based on the strong desire of Toyota President Akio Toyoda, a.k.a. Morizo, to “bring back a Corolla that captivates our customers.”

- Advertisement -

That captivation has been marked by many racing achievements of the marque–the TE25 brought Toyota’s first World Rally Championship victory in 1973. This was followed by the Corolla Levin’s win in the 1,000 Lakes Rally in 1975 in a car driven by Hannu Mikkola. That car had a 1.6-liter 151E, the peaked nearly at 200 horsepower.

Then there is the enchantment of anime lovers with the AE86 Corolla series the Sprinter Trueno of the Initial D fame. The Trueno is a small, front-engine/rear-wheel-drive variant within the front-engine/front-wheel-drive fifth generation Corolla (E80) range and was marketed from 1983 to 1987 in coupé and liftback form.

From the racing achievements in WRC, came the concept of “making ever-better motorsports-bred cars.” The Corolla, in whatever form it was, is model loved by many for its driving performance, more so those who can afford to update its engine to deliver far superior power versus weight, as this is one of the Corolla’s most endearing qualities.

In response to that desire, the development of the GR Corolla carried forth the torch of making ever-better motorsports-bred cars, which focuses on honing cars to win races and making them commercially available. In concrete terms, the vehicle was comprehensively re-forged in the extreme environment of racing by participating in the Super Taikyu Series using a hydrogen engine-equipped Corolla to also refine a hydrogen engine, which comprises new technologies, with Toyota Master Driver Morizo, himself, taking stints behind the wheel. (Editor’s note: Toyota Master Driver Morizo is the alias used by Toyota Motor Corporation President Akio Toyoda when doing tests of the vehicles the company produces.)

Furthermore, to ensure that the vehicle could be driven with confidence and enjoyment in a variety of situations, prototypes were put through their paces not only on racing circuits but also on highly demanding dirt roads and snow-covered roads. Driving was done beyond the breaking point for comprehensive honing by drivers who each have unique perspectives, including Morizo, racing driver Hiroaki Ishiura, All Japan Rally Championship winner Norihiko Katsuta, as well as in-house evaluators.

The GR Corolla boasts a strengthened version of the 1.6-liter in-line three-cylinder intercooler turbo engine found in the GR Yaris, resulting in a maximum output of 224 kW (304 PS). Optimizing the GR-FOUR 4WD system, which is also featured on the GR Yaris, to match the specifications of the GR Corolla was among various initiatives undertaken to create a car that can be safely and securely controlled even when pushing it to its limits.

While adopting the basic body framework of the Toyota Corolla Sport to enable it to inherit the high-speed stability of a long wheelbase, the GR Corolla employs a 60 mm wider track up front and an 85 mm wider track in the rear to command a high level of cornering performance. The result: sporty driving at will with peace of mind. And to complete the package, the GR Corolla retains a five-door, five-passenger layout for both exceptional usability in daily life and driving pleasure.

Since its birth in 1966, the Corolla has evolved throughout its generations into a variety of sedans, wagons, hatchbacks, and compact SUVs to meet the changing lifestyles of Toyota customers over time. With the GR Corolla joining the lineup as a sports car packed tight with driving performance and functionality ready to be embraced by many customers, the Corolla series will keep on continuing to evolve.

Main features of the GR Corolla

A motorsports-bred design refined into functional beauty

 Exterior. While the basic body framework of the Corolla Sport has been adopted, 20 mm wider front fenders and 30 mm wider rear fenders produce a broader stance that foreshadows a spirited driving experience.

The triple exhausts of a muffler created to further increase the output of the 1.6-liter in-line three-cylinder intercooler turbo engine emphasize the unique, powerful, and sporty rear.

Honing the vehicle’s cooling and aerodynamic performance on all kinds of roads, including racing circuits, dirt roads, and snow-covered roads, resulted in the inclusion of a front-bumper air intake and front-fender and hood-bulge air outlets.

 Interior. Apart from a very sporty all-black interior the GR Corolla has

1. A short-stroke shift lever that is taller than usual and positioned for natural operation by simply lowering the arm from the steering wheel enables quick gear changes.
2. A parking brake that also acts to control the rear brakes, shaped much like the ones used in early aftermarket drift cars. Racers have converted the parking brake into a handbrake and is used to allow better vehicle control even when pushing the car to its limits, such as when drifting.
3. The Full TFT Meter, which was developed exclusively for GR models, has been newly adopted. Inspired by race cars and reflecting insight from professional drivers, the new display improves visibility during sporty driving.

An evolved version of the GR Yaris 1.6-liter in-line three-cylinder intercooler turbo engine. Engine exhaust efficiency was improved to achieve even higher output from the same compact, lightweight, high-power unit that propels the GR Yaris. A valve-equipped triple-exhaust muffler reduces both exhaust pressure and noise. In sum, the engine provides overwhelming acceleration and a more-pleasant extension of RPMs.

A wide track and long wheelbase for excellent driving stability and control. The basic body framework of the Toyota Corolla Sport has been adopted, and, while retaining the excellent driving stability provided by a long wheelbase, high-speed cornering performance has been improved by widening the track by 60 mm up front and by 85 mm in the rear. Stability and control during sporty driving have been greatly enhanced, allowing confidence and enjoyment while driving as one pleases, even when pushing the car to its limits.

A selectable-mode GR-FOUR 4WD system and a high-rigidity body. The featured GR-FOUR 4WD system uses an electronic multi-plate clutch to provide variable front and rear driving force, like in the GR Yaris.

This time, however, the system’s “4WD” mode, which controls driving force distribution, and its “Drive” mode, which controls accelerator response, steering, and others, have been separated to enable selection according to driver preference and the driving environment. Furthermore, the use of pillow-ball bushings and the optimization of the springs, shock absorbers, and wheel alignment combine to fully transmit the GR-FOUR’s optimal distribution of driving force to the road surface. This has resulted in overwhelming cornering performance.

- Advertisement -

Body rigidity has been strengthened to achieve driving performance that agilely responds to driver operation. In addition to the high-rigidity basic framework made possible through production at the GR Factory at Toyota’s Motomachi Plant, braces have been added between the rear wheel wells, to the under-floor tunnel, and under the floor in front of the fuel tank to improve handling stability.

Also, like in the case of the GR Yaris, the roof panel is made of CFRP molded by the SMC process, which offers a high degree of freedom of shape and contributes not only to increased rigidity but also to weight reduction.

Opposed caliper disk brakes provide stable braking force and controllability, enabling confident and enjoyable driving, even on racing circuits.

Advanced safety and security even for a sports car. The latest active safety package, Toyota Safety Sense, comes standard, allowing the combination of safety and security in daily driving and the driving pleasure of a sports car.

Main specifications of the all-new GR Corolla (development target values for the North American market)

Main specifications of the all-new GR Corolla
(specifications are for the left-hand drive North American market)