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Toyota GR Corolla

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Toyota GR Corolla
2024 Toyota GR Corolla Circuit Edition (GZEA14, US)
Overview
ManufacturerToyota
Model codeGZEA14
Production2022–present
Model years2023–present
AssemblyJapan: Toyota, Aichi (Motomachi plant)
DesignerSungwon Lee and Masayuki Sugiura[1]
Body and chassis
ClassHot hatch / sport compact (C)
Body style5-door hatchback
LayoutFront-engine, four-wheel-drive
PlatformTNGA: GA-C
Related
Powertrain
Engine
Power output221–224 kW (296–300 hp; 300–304 PS)
Transmission
Dimensions
Wheelbase2,640 mm (103.9 in)
Length4,410 mm (173.6 in)
Width1,850 mm (72.8 in)
Height1,450–1,455 mm (57.1–57.3 in)
Curb weight1,440–1,493 kg (3,175–3,292 lb)

The Toyota GR Corolla (Japanese: トヨタ・GRカローラ, Hepburn: Toyota Jīāru Karōra) is a compact car manufactured by Japanese marque Toyota since 2022 with assistance from the company's Gazoo Racing (GR) division. It is a hot hatch variant of the E210 series Corolla.

The GR Corolla was introduced on March 31, 2022. The GR Corolla is built mainly for the North American market as Europe received the GR Yaris (which is not sold in Canada and the United States). Both vehicles are assembled at the "GR Factory" inside the Motomachi plant, a production line dedicated to GR-branded vehicles. Aside from North America, the GR Corolla is also sold in Japan, Thailand (limited to nine units),[2] Malaysia,[3] Australia, New Zealand, Brazil, South Africa, and Indonesia.[4]

Overview

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In 2020, Toyota unveiled the GR Yaris, a hatchback developed by the company's Gazoo Racing (GR) division for its World Rally Championship (WRC) team.[5] It is not sold in the United States and Canada because the regular Yaris, upon which it is nominally based, isn't sold in those markets due to lack of demand.

The decision led to years of speculation that Toyota would eventually bring a hot hatch to the United States and Canada. The introduction of the vehicle was delayed by a year, because Akio Toyoda, then CEO of Toyota, also a racing driver, was not satisfied with the tuning of a prototype, and asked the GR team to make changes.[6] Development of the vehicle was led by chief engineer Naoyuki Sakamoto.[7]

On March 31, 2022, the GR Corolla was introduced, which while based on the larger E210 series Corolla compact hatchback, includes several features originally developed for the GR Yaris. The vehicle is powered by the 1.6-liter G16E-GTS turbocharged straight-three engine that powers the GR Yaris. The version of the engine found in the GR Yaris makes up to 200 kW (268 hp; 272 PS), but the version for the GR Corolla generates 221–224 kW (296–300 hp; 300–304 PS) and 370–400 N⋅m (273–295 lbf⋅ft) of torque. Among other strategies to achieve this increased power output, the GR Corolla has three tailpipes for reduced backpressure.[8][9] A six-speed manual transmission is standard in the GR Corolla.[10]

The GR Corolla also uses the GR-Four all-wheel drive system first developed for the GR Yaris. The standard setting is a 60:40 front to rear torque distribution, but it can go as rear-wheel biased as 30:70.[8]

The vehicle is equipped with Toyota Safety Sense 3.0 suite of advanced driver-assistance systems and Toyota's updated audio multimedia system that debuted on the XK70 series Tundra.[8]

The GR Corolla is produced alongside the GR Yaris at the "GR Factory" inside Toyota's Motomachi plant. Unlike most automobile plants, the "GR Factory" does not use a conveyor belt assembly line. Instead, vehicles are built at stations with more manual assembly processes. The "GR Factory" employs experienced technicians recruited from throughout the company.[11]

  • Rear view
    Rear view
  • Interior
    Interior

Models

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Depending on the countries, the GR Corolla is offered in at least one of three different model grades. The Core is the base model, the upgrade model is marketed as RZ in Japan, or Circuit Edition in North America, and the light weight ready-to-race model is the Morizo Edition

Core

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The Core is the most affordable GR Corolla as it doesn't feature carbon fiber roof, hood bulge with vents, and other features. The Core model is offered in North America, Brazil, and South Africa.

A better equipped model based on the Core is marketed in the United States and Canada for 2024 model year as the Premium model. It comes with standard with front and rear Torsen limited-slip differentials, front and rear parking sensors, and red brake calipers. The interior was also upgraded with suede-trimmed interior, heated seats and steering wheel, as well as JBL Premium sound system. [12]

RZ / Circuit Edition

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The Circuit Edition is a higher grade of the GR Corolla which offers performance upgrades such as Torsen limited-slip differentials for the front and rear axles (optional for the Core trim level). It also offers a forged carbon fiber roof, hood bulge with functional vents, a larger rear spoiler, and other upgrades.[13][14]

For the Japanese Domestic Market (JDM), beside the Morizo Edition, the regular GR Corolla is only available as the fully-equipped RZ trim level.

In New Zealand, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Thailand, the only model offered is the one similar to the Circuit Edition. The Australian GR Corolla GTS is the equivalent of Japanese RZ or North American Circuit Edition. [15]

Morizo Edition

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2022 GR Corolla Morizo Edition (GZEA14, Japan)

The Morizo Edition (stylized "MORIZO") is a limited-production "track-ready" variant of the GR Corolla with reduced weight, increased performance figures, and enhanced handling, which is both available in Japan and North America.

2022 GR Corolla Morizo Edition (GZEA14, Japan)

The curb weight was reduced by approximately 45 kg (100 lb) from the Circuit Edition model to 1,445 kg (3,186 lb) by removing the rear seats, adding forged carbon fiber roof (also available on the Circuit Edition), removing the speakers and window regulators from the rear doors, and removing the rear wiper blade and motor. The engine torque output was increased by 30 N⋅m (22 lb⋅ft) to 400 N⋅m (295 lb⋅ft), while the horsepower figure remain unchanged. To improve handling, the suspension was re-tuned with monotube shock absorbers, 10 mm (0.4 in) wider tires on lighter rims were used, and body rigidity was increased with 349 additional spot welds, over an additional 6 m (19.7 ft) of structural adhesive, and body reinforcement braces. Engineers adjusted the transmission gear ratios, differential gear ratio and engine tuning to support sustained acceleration at peak torque on the Morizo Edition.[16][17][18]

The special edition was named after "Morizo", the pseudonym used by Akio Toyoda when participating in races.

Facelift

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The facelifted GR Corolla was revealed on August 1, 2024 ,for the 2025 model year in North America. The GR 8-speed Direct Automatic Transmission (DAT) option became available including Formula One-style paddle-shifters for semi-automatic mode. All trims now produce 295ft-lbs of torque and come with front and rear torsen limited slip differentials standard.[19]

USA

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US market model grades are the Core, Premium, and Premium Plus. The restyled front bumper was designed for better cooling and aerodynamics. Behind the right hand side of the bumper, a sub-radiator is standard on the Premium Plus, or optional on the Premium. While the left hand side of the bumper houses the transmission fluid cooler for the 8-speed DAT. With hood bulge and vents, forged carbon roof, the US market Premium Plus is the successor of the Circuit Edition. [20]

Canada

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For the Canadian market, model grades are Core, Premium MT, and Premium AT. Both Premium trims includes features that are on the US market Premium Plus such as the forged carbon roof, heads up display, bulged hood, and sub-radiator. Furthermore, Canadian Core models will only be available as a 6-speed manual.[21]

References

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  1. ^ "Design 202213185". Australian Government IP Australia. Retrieved August 31, 2022.
  2. ^ Lye, Gerard (November 30, 2022). "2023 Toyota GR Corolla makes first ASEAN debut in Thailand – 1.6L turbo with 300 PS; 6MT; from RM500k". Paul Tan. Malaysia: Driven Communications. Retrieved November 30, 2022.
  3. ^ Tan, Danny (February 17, 2023). "2023 Toyota GR Corolla launched in Malaysia – AWD 6MT hot hatch; 1.6T 3-cyl, 300 PS, 370 Nm; RM355k". Paul Tan. Malaysia: Driven Communications. Retrieved March 15, 2023.
  4. ^ Satria, Gilang (August 10, 2023). "Toyota GR Corolla Buka Selubung di GIIAS 2023". Kompas Otomotif (in Indonesian). Retrieved August 11, 2023.
  5. ^ Perkins, Chris (January 16, 2020). "Here's How the 2021 Toyota GR Yaris Homologation Special Came to Life". Road & Track. Retrieved March 31, 2022.
  6. ^ Evans, Scott (April 1, 2022). "2023 Toyota GR Corolla First Look: The Most Powerful, Jaw-Dropping Corolla Ever". Motor Trend. Retrieved April 1, 2022.
  7. ^ Rivers, Stephen (April 14, 2022). "Toyota GR Corolla Chief Engineer Reveals More Details About The Hottest Hatch Of The Year". Carscoops. Retrieved April 14, 2022.
  8. ^ a b c Scherr, Elana (April 1, 2022). "2023 Toyota GR Corolla Has Everything We Want in a Hot Hatch". Car and Driver. Retrieved April 1, 2022.
  9. ^ Goodwin, Antuan (March 31, 2022). "2023 Toyota GR Corolla debuts alongside limited-run Circuit Edition". CNET Roadshow. Retrieved March 31, 2022.
  10. ^ Lee, Jonathan (April 1, 2022). "2023 Toyota GR Corolla revealed – grown-up GR Yaris with 304 PS 1.6L turbo 3-cylinder, 6MT, GR-Four AWD". Paultan.org. Malaysia: Driven Communications. Retrieved April 4, 2022.
  11. ^ "Heat for the Streets! Toyota Debuts First-Ever GR Corolla". Toyota USA Newsroom (Press release). March 31, 2022. Retrieved March 31, 2022.
  12. ^ https://media.toyota.ca/en/releases/2023/what-s-new--2024-toyota-gr-corolla.html
  13. ^ Bruce, Chris (March 31, 2022). "2023 Toyota GR Corolla Debuts Looking Rally-Ready With 300 HP And AWD". Motor1.com. Retrieved April 1, 2022.
  14. ^ https://pressroom.toyota.com/heat-for-the-streets-toyota-debuts-first-ever-gr-corolla/
  15. ^ "GR Corolla Made untamed". Toyota Australia. Retrieved October 10, 2024.
  16. ^ Lye, Gerard (June 2, 2022). "2023 Toyota GR Corolla Morizo Edition debuts – 304 PS and 400 Nm; no rear seats; limited production run". Paultan.org. Malaysia: Driven Communications. Retrieved June 2, 2022.
  17. ^ "TOYOTA GAZOO Racing Premieres Japanese-market GR Corolla RZ and 2-seater, Enhanced-performance GR Corolla Morizo Edition" (Press release). Toyota Global. June 1, 2022. Retrieved June 2, 2022.
  18. ^ "Toyota GR Corolla Goes Wild with MORIZO Edition" (Press release). Toyota USA. June 1, 2022. Retrieved June 2, 2022.
  19. ^ "The GR Lineup Heats Up with New Direct Automatic Transmission Option on Toyota's GR Corolla". Toyota USA Newsroom (Press release). August 1, 2024. Retrieved August 2, 2024.
  20. ^ "Ready to Hit the Streets". Toyota USA Newsroom (Press release). September 24, 2024. Retrieved September 24, 2024.
  21. ^ https://media.toyota.ca/en/releases/2024/the-gr-lineup-heats-up-with-new-direct-automatic-transmission-op.html
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