The GRMN Corolla takes Toyota's hot hatch to the next level, with extra downforce, a more capable suspension, and a smidge more torque. We already love driving the Toyota GR Corolla for its punchy turbocharged three-cylinder engine, engaging manual gearbox, and rally-inspired all-wheel-drive system that combine to produce a mischievous attitude. But now Toyota has further honed the hot hatchback and revealed the track-optimized GRMN Corolla, which gets more torque, a retuned suspension, and revised aerodynamics.
Toyota says the GRMN Corolla draws upon lessons from the Super Taikyu racing series in Japan and was built "so drivers can confidently push it to the limit at the Nurburgring." The reworked aerodynamics not only make the car look even cooler, but also keep it stable when driving at high speeds. A new carbon-fiber hood features a horizontally oriented hood duct ahead of the two vents already found on the GR Corolla Premium Plus.
The front fenders are also fashioned from carbon fiber, and a series of vents help release high-pressure air from the wheel wells. The vents behind the front wheels have been redesigned, while the large carbon-fiber rear wing has 5 degrees of manual adjustment. Toyota also revised the suspension, fitting new front and rear monotube dampers with rebound springs. These provide better inner-wheel traction when cornering, Toyota says, and the bump stops were also reworked to account for the Nurburgring's unforgiving road surfaces.
View Price on AmazonAnother key upgrade is the Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tires, which were previously only offered on the limited-production Morizo edition. Toyota also retuned the electric power steering and the all-wheel-drive system to optimize rear torque distribution when driving straight and improve stability when turning into a corner. The GR Corolla that Toyota races in the Super Taikyu series is powered by hydrogen, but it's not an eco-focused fuel-cell setup. Instead, it features a hydrogen-combustion engine, and Toyota says this provided critical learnings that were applied to the GRMN model to eke out an extra seven pound-feet of torque for a peak of 302 pound-feet.
Toyota says that torque is increased in the 4000–4600-rpm range, significant for accelerating out of corners. The only available gearbox is the six-speed manual. There's also a new intercooler spray system to help keep the engine cool when pushing on track for repeated laps, and Toyota stripped out the rear seats—just as with the Morizo edition—to help reduce the weight by 66 pounds.
Inside, there are special GRMN sport seats, wrapped in black and red suede and synthetic leather. There are GRMN logos embroidered onto the headrests, and the dashboard and front pillar trim wear a brushed metal finish to reduce glare. Carbon-fiber trim on the dashboard, red accents, and a Morizo signature logo round out the changes.
The 2026 Toyota GRMN Corolla will be assembled in Japan and will be sold in Japan, Australia, and North America, although full specifications and pricing won't be released until later. It's unclear how many GRMN Corollas will be built, but we expect production to be limited.
Source: caranddriver.com
