The Core model features 14-inch ventilated, opposed-piston front brakes. And, on the Circuit Edition, the roof is made of a forged, rather than woven, carbon sheet molding compound double-wishbone in the rear. The hood and front door panels are made of aluminum. There’s plenty of advanced-and lighter-high-strength steel. The development team focused on several goals here: reducing drag, increasing high-speed downforce and lowering weight. The Gazoo team, meanwhile, has come up with an intriguing new rally-influenced GR-Four All-Wheel-Drive system which, the automaker explains, “gives drivers a choice of 60-40, 50-50, or 30-70 power distribution to the front and rear wheels.” That lets a driver choose between a more relaxed, day-to-day torque split, a setting tuned for the track, or one that’s earmarked for winding back roads. The launch-year Circuit Edition also adds limited-slip Torsen differentials, front and rear, as well as beefed-up brakes. The engine is mated to a short-throw, rev-matching 6-speed manual, an increasing rarity in the automotive world. ![]() ![]() The GR Corolla will make plenty of power, 300 horsepower and 273 pound-feet of torque, to be more precise, from a 1.6-liter turbocharged 3-cylinder engine. The GR Corolla’s flares, diffusers, exhaust tips and standard AWD are sure to tempt some former Subaru WRX hatchback buyers. In the 1980s, Toyota offered not only the GR 86’s spiritual ancestor, the “AE86” Corolla sport coupe made famous by the anime series Initial D, but also the peppy Corolla FX16 hatchback. The new Corolla model brings the Gazoo Racing influence to the mainstream, and it also brings back some long-missing excitement. And he’s used motorsports both to develop new performance technology and put a halo around the Toyota badge with models like the GR86 and GR Supra sports cars. That might have seemed like an absurd idea not that many years back, but Toyota boss Akio Toyoda has commanded his product development teams to punch a bit more “passion” into the brand’s products. Now, it is looking to perk up interest by adding a performance model-a strategy that has played out well for competitive offerings like the Honda Civic Type R and Hyundai Veloster N. The automaker introduced a crossover version of its small car mainstay, the Corolla Cross. The GR takes the standard Corolla hatchback body and modifies it with much more aggressive, and lighter weight, pieces, including spoilers, fender flares and functional air scoops. So, Toyota has been looking for ways to beef up the compact line. But sales have slipped in recent years as motorists by the millions move to SUVs, CUVs and other light trucks. ![]() That, of course, includes the familiar Corolla line. Unlike some key competitors, including Ford and Chevrolet, who have been walking away from sedans, coupes and hatchbacks, Toyota remains committed to its passenger car line-up. Set to debut as a 2023 model later this year, the GR Corolla initially will be offered in two versions, the “Core,” model and a limited-run “Circuit Edition” that adds such niceties as a carbon-fiber roof, rear spoiler and sport seats.
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