LOS ANGELES: Toyota's motorsports arm Toyota Gazoo Racing (TGR) launched the GR Corolla today in Long Beach near here on the eve of the opening round of the Formula Drift season.
The GR Corolla is scheduled for launch in Japan in the second half of 2022.
The GR Corolla is part of Toyota president Akio Toyoda's long-held ambition to make its cars more exciting to drive.
The GR Corolla boasts a strengthened version of the 1.6-litre in-line three-cylinder intercooler turbo engine found in the GR Yaris, resulting in a maximum output of 224 kW (304 PS) and 370Nm of torque. The engine is paired with a 6-speed manual transmission.
Optimising 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.
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 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, TGR promises the Corolla series will keep on evolving.
Let's start with the 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-litre in-line three-cylinder intercooler turbo engine emphasise 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.
A short-stroke shift lever positioned for natural operation by simply lowering the arm from the steering wheel enables quick gear changes.
A hand-operated parking brake has been used to allow better vehicle control even when pushing the car to its limits, such as when drifting.
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.
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.
The basic body framework of the 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.
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 optimisation 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.
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 sheet molding compound 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.
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.
WATCH: Toyota GR Corolla product reveal on Vimeo
