Just when Seth Quintero thought he had the coolest Toyota in town, GRMN Corolla landed.
America has truly taken to the GR Corolla – especially Quintero’s rally bred GR Corolla Rally RC2 – but the Japanese automaker has just raised its own bar.
Toyota Motor Corporation chairman and master driver Akio Toyoda has been very clear in his intentions with GR Corolla, talking about the need to “bring back a Corolla that captivates our customers.”
The GR definitely does that. And now the GRMN definitely does that just a little bit more.
The new car delivers increased torque, enhanced aero, further race-refined suspension and transmission and an absence of rear seats (although a five-seater MORIZO RR version is also being developed).
For Toyoda, there was only ever going to be one place to test the ultimate Corolla – but actually, there were two. The revised aerodynamics on the hood, fenders and front and rear spoilers are all derived from the hydrogen-powered GR Corolla which competes in Japan’s Super Taikyu Series.
But when it came to the suspension, the crew headed for Germany.
“If it’s going to bear the GRMN name, it needs to be a car that can duly handle the Nürburgring,” offered Morizo.
From the Flugplatz to the Foxhole, the focus was on improving high-speed cornering and improved inner-wheel traction. This comes via exclusive monotube shock absorbers and rebound springs – with a full set of 245/40ZR18 Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2s further helping keep the Corolla on the straight and narrow.
Engine-wise, there’s an additional 15Nm of torque, with the car now coming complete with 415Nm from the turbocharged three-cylinder 1618cc motor. This is aimed at delivering enhanced out-of-corner acceleration between 3,600 and 4,800rpm. Again, this development comes from the work done at the Super Taikyu Series – with an intercooler spray system and the additional front-end cooling also helping.
Inside, whipping the rear seats out has improved power-to-weight by 30kg. And while the rears are gone, the front seats just get better and better with a custom-designed full bucket seat sitting behind the wheel (unless you’re buying in America, then it’s a semi-bucket seat). You get an enhanced instrument panel which comes complete with Morizo’s signature – just in case you ever forget the inspiration behind the ultimate Corolla.
Want one? The GRMN Corolla will be available in limited quantities, primarily in Japan, North America, and Australia. In Japan, plans are to accept sales negotiation requests via the GR smartphone app, likely in the fall this year, with sales scheduled to begin in 2027.
Both the GRMN and GR Corolla MORIZO RR are on display at the Fuji Motorsports Forest Welcome Center, Japan, until June 28.
