2023 Toyota Corolla GR | First Look
For the latest Toyota GR Corolla pricing and information:
https://www.kbb.com/toyota/gr-corolla/
Sometimes you just snag a great assignment. I’m a winner today because I get a first look at the 2023 Toyota GR Corolla.
We don’t have a ton of time with it, but here are the essential highlights. Conceived by the Gazoo Racing team and being built in the Motomachi plant in Japan.
This little hatch rocket gets Toyota’s 1.6-liter 3-cylinder single turbo G16E engine that makes 300 hp at 6500 rpm and 273 lb-ft of torque that peaks between 3 and 5000 rpm.
That means that this thing should feel super quick and that is great news. It gets a triple exhaust that improves efficiency. It gets a jet piston cooling system and more intakes.
It’s also paired with a 6-speed manual transmission that rev matches. It just keeps getting better.
Possibly my favorite part is the AWD system that’s adjustable by the driver.
You can intentionally shift the torque to a 60:40 split front/rear if you’re just driving regularly. 50:50 for stability and traction or 30:70 if you want to have a little spirited driving fun.
Speaking of more driving fun, there is some weight savings on the GR over the normal hatch using forged carbon fiber in the roof on the Circuit Edition as well as aluminum on the hood and front door panels. I like how the nose slopes dramatically into the roofline. The profile of this is thing it hot.
There will be two grades available to buy. The Core and a launch year exclusive Circuit Edition. Both get wide fender flares, GR badging, LED fog lamps, headlights and DRLs. The Circuit Edition gets a hood bulge with function air ducts, that carbon fiber roof, and a matte black rear spoiler. The Circuit Edition also gets red 4-piston calipers on the brakes.
The rigid structure was constructed specifically for the GR Corolla. And that comes from more weld points in the frame that strengthen the joints.
The suspension is comprised of a Strut front set up with sport tuned coils, shocks and stabilizer bars. The rear is a double wishbone multilink. Wide tires help with grip and stability. And braking power comes by way of 14-inch ventilated rotors. Buy that Circuit Edition and get a Torsen limited slip on the front and rear for sick cornering ability as it can shift grip to the right or left side of the car depending on where its needed.
I’ll let you decide what you think of how it looks, but if you think this doesn’t look hot, I think you’re wrong. There I said it. This is very cool looking. Inside and out.
Other competitors in this space, the Veloster N, Honda Civic Type R, and Subaru’s WRX STi, which they’re not even making again until there’s a hybrid or EV version. Pricing on the GR Corolla hasn’t been announced yet.
Yes, this is still a road car so it comes with Toyota Safety Sense and gets a ton of standard safety equipment. You’ll get Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and other standard Toyota driver features. The Core Grade is also able to get the Performance Package that includes a front and rear Torsen Limited Slip differential. The Tech Package that gets premium audio and navigation and the Cold Weather Package that gets stuff like heated front seats and steering wheel. Those all come standard on the Circuit Edition.
If I’m lucky, I’ll get put on the first drive of this. You know what, I’m going to make my own luck and make it happen. The 2023 Toyota GR Corolla looks awesome. I can’t wait to find out more. Stay tuned.
00:00 2023 Toyota GR Corolla
0:32 Engine
1:45 Exterior
2:50 Engine
3:07 Competitors
3:25 Interior