Toyota Gazoo Racing Resets Hot Hatch Benchmark with Arrival of GR Corolla
GR Corolla sports car arrives in Australia from $62,300 plus on-road costs
221kW turbo engine, AWD drivetrain deliver outstanding performance and driver engagement
Hardcore two-seat Morizo Edition to join GTS variant later in 2023
The latest chapter in the exciting story of TOYOTA GAZOO Racing is ready to be told, with the fire-breathing GR Corolla arriving in CMI Toyota showrooms in March.
Joining the GR86, GR Supra and GR Yaris in the high-performance TOYOTA GAZOO Racing family, the GR Corolla is offered in a highly-specified GTS grade priced from $62,300 plus on-road costs(1).
Toyota Australia has secured 700 units of the GR Corolla GTS for sale in the first year, which will be joined in coming months by the limited-run Morizo Edition, of which just 25 will be available, amping up the performance even further with a range of exclusive features.
Toyota Australia Vice President Sales, Marketing and Franchise Operations Sean Hanley said the arrival of the all-new GR Corolla represented a landmark occasion for the nameplate.
"For decades Corolla has been one of Australia's most-loved models, selling over 1.5 million units after having first arrived in 1967," Mr Hanley said.
"Motorsport has long been a part of Corolla's DNA, so to have a fully-fledged hot hatch version of our venerable small car is a huge thrill."
Based on the popular Corolla hatch, the GR Corolla is underpinned by the acclaimed TNGA-C platform, significantly enhanced for high-performance driving dynamics.
GR Corolla features a turbocharged petrol engine, all-wheel drive, wider track front and rear, completely overhauled suspension, and design features and styling enhancements that clearly set it apart from the rest of the Corolla family.
The GR Corolla is powered by the same high-output 1.6-litre turbocharged three-cylinder engine found in the GR Yaris, that has been tuned to produce a boosted 221kW of power at 6500rpm and 370Nm of torque over a wider rev band, from 3000-5550rpm.
The improved output has been achieved thanks to enhancements such as the triple-exit exhaust which reduces back pressure, reinforced pistons and exhaust valves, and increased capacity for the direct-injection fuel pump and engine oil cooler.
All GR Corollas come equipped with a close-ratio six-speed manual transmission with intelligent rev-matching technology, engineered to provide maximum driver enjoyment.
Morizo Editions push the envelope further, extracting approximately an extra 30Nm of torque from the turbocharged engine, while tightening the transmission's gear ratios makes better use of the extra torque.
Exceptional handling and cornering performance is assured with the GR Corolla employing the sophisticated GR-FOUR all-wheel-drive system, supported with Torsen®(2) limited-slip differentials on both the front and rear axles for optimal torque distribution.
Optimised suspension geometry, extensive chassis reinforcements, weight reduction and dedicated ventilated disc brakes all contribute to a thrilling driving experience, with the Morizo Edition offering even further weight reduction and structural reinforcement.
Exterior enhancements for both variants include unique front and rear bumpers to accommodate the wider track, additional air ducts to enhance aerodynamics and cooling, a special triple-exit exhaust system, raised hood and unique 18-inch alloy wheels shod with high-performance Yokohama tyres.
Morizo Editions gain their own 18-inch BBS forged, dark silver alloys with sticky Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tyres, as well as a carbon-fibre reinforced polymer (CFRP) roof that helps lower overall weight and the car's centre of gravity.
The functional design of the exterior is mirrored inside, with changes to the interior that reflect the GR Corolla's status as the ultimate hot hatch.
All versions gain a dedicated gear shifter and centre console, aluminium pedals, manual parking brake and a leather-wrapped steering wheel adapted from the GR Yaris.
Connectivity is improved with an 8.0-inch touchscreen display housing the latest Toyota multimedia system including Toyota Connected Services(3), paired with a fully digital 12.3-inch multi-information display and colour head-up display to provide the driver with a full suite of readouts.
The touchscreen is compatible with wired Android Auto™(4) and wireless Apple CarPlay®(5), features DAB+ digital radio(6) and satellite navigation(7), and offers improved usability and dynamic voice recognition.
Heated front seats and steering wheel, a wireless phone charger8, dual-zone climate control and an eight-speaker JBL®(2) premium sound system provide welcome creature comforts on GTS versions.
Front seats provide excellent support for occupants, with suede and synthetic leather upholstery and contrast silver stitching.
Together with the removal of the 60:40 split-fold rear seats to save weight, the Morizo Edition is differentiated inside with unique bucket front seats with contrast red stitching, red seatbelts, suede trim for the steering wheel, gear shifter and parking brake, a red centre marker for the steering wheel and alumite red trim on the shift knob.
While providing heart-pounding performance, the GR Corolla also features a full suite of Toyota Safety Sense(9) active safety technologies to ensure maximum occupant protection.
New features such as intersection turn assist are available thanks to the improved camera and radar sensors, which improve object and 3D motion detection while extending the range of the cameras and radars.(9)
GTS grades are available with four different exterior colour choices, consisting of Glacier White, Ebony, Liquid Mercury metallic and Feverish Red mica metallic.(10)
The Morizo Edition will be offered with the choice of Frosted White pearl, Tarmac Black metallic and the exclusive Matte Steel.(10)
The GR Corolla is covered by Toyota Warranty Advantage(11), which offers up to 5-year unlimited kilometre coverage extending to seven-years on engine and driveline(12), with capped-price servicing for the first three years/60,000km and each 6-month/10,000km service costing $300(13).
GR Corolla pricing(1)
GTS: $62,300
Morizo Edition: $77,800
Options:
Premium paint: $575
Matte paint (Morizo Edition only): $2500
(1) Recommended retail price provided for media purposes only. Statutory charges or other on-road costs not included.
(2) Product & company names are trademarks of their respective owners.
(3) Complimentary period ends 1 year from delivery date. Fees may apply thereafter. See www.toyota.com.au/connected/plans-packages. Not available outside Australia, if services disabled or terminated or after 2033/Telstra 4G sunset (whichever comes first). Dependent on 3G/4G enabled DCM, GPS signal strength, mobile network coverage and other factors outside Toyota's control which can limit ability or functionality of system. Check your Owner's Manual or Toyota.com.au/connected for explanation of limitations. Please drive safely.
(4) Android Auto™ is a trademark of Google LLC. Requires compatible device, USB connection, mobile data, network reception & GPS signal. Mobile usage at user's cost. Apps subject to change. For details see toyota.com.au/connected.
(5) CarPlay® is a trademark of Apple, Inc. registered in the U.S. and other countries. Requires compatible device, USB connection, or Bluetooth® connection, mobile data, network reception & GPS signal. Mobile usage at user's cost. Apps subject to change. For details see toyota.com.au/connected.
(6) Coverage dependent on vehicle location.
(7) Coverage varies based on vehicle location.
(8) Only Qi-supported devices compatible. Refer to device manufacturer. May require additional purchase of accessory to support wireless charging.
(9) Driver assist feature. Only operates under certain conditions. Check your Owner's Manual for explanation of limitations. Please drive safely.
(10) Toyota Australia reserves the right to vary or discontinue the current interior and exterior colours, trims and colour/trim/model combinations. Colours and trims displayed are a guide only and may vary from actual colours due to printing/display process. See your Toyota dealer to confirm availability when ordering your vehicle.
(11) See Toyota.com.au/owners/warranty or your vehicle's Warranty and Service Book for applicable warranty period, inclusions & limitations. This warranty does not limit & may not necessarily exceed your rights under the Australian consumer Law.
(12) The Toyota Warranty Advantage Extended Engine and Driveline coverage is for 7yrs from delivery, provided your vehicle is properly serviced and maintained per its Warranty and Service Book. Excludes vehicles used for a commercial purpose, such as taxis, hire vehicles and vehicles transporting people or goods for payment including rideshare. See toyota.com.au/owners/warranty for details. This warranty does not limit and may not necessarily exceed your rights under the Australian Consumer Law.
(13) Max price quoted is model specific. Applies to standard scheduled logbook servicing (normal operating conditions) for 3 years/60,000km (whichever occurs first) up to a max. 6 services. Excludes Government & Rental vehicles. For details see your Toyota dealer or visit Toyota.com.au/advantage.
