Currently reading: New 2022 Toyota GR Corolla touches down at New York show

300bhp, all-wheel-drive Volkswagen Golf R rival draws a crowd in Manhattan

Toyota has chosen the New York motor show for the public debut of the GR Corolla, its new Honda Civic Type R and Volkswagen Golf R rival.

The hot new take on the Toyota Toyota Corolla joins a quickly expanding line-up of hot Toyotas developed by the Gazoo Racing performance division, alongside the Toyota GR Yaris, Toyota GR Supra and Toyota GR 86 – but unlike those cars, it isn't destined for sale in Europe. 

The latest entry to the ranks uses a single-scroll turbocharged 1.6-litre three-pot engine familiar from the acclaimed GR Yaris but with power hiked up substantially to 300bhp and torque boosted slightly to 273lb ft. 

The hikes come courtesy of a triple-exit exhaust, which reduces back pressure and improves exhaust flow, a new "multi-oil jet piston" cooling system, larger exhaust valves and a part-machined intake port. 

My23 gr corolla circuit edition 024

Power is sent to both axles through a six-speed manual gearbox, as in the GR Yaris, with an intelligent manual transmission (IMT) function, which essentially serves as a rev-matching function for smoother downshifts.

The top-rung Circuit Edition car is also equipped with a pair of Torsen differentials for improved grip and cornering response. 

The bespoke 18in sports wheels are wrapped in sticky Michelin Pilot Sport 4 tyres and backed by ventilated, slotted performance brake discs gripped by four-piston aluminium callipers. 

Toyota has yet to confirm performance figures, but expect a 0-62mph time nudging 5.0sec. 

While the GR Corolla’s silhouette is more closely related to the car on which it's based than with the GR Yaris and regular Yaris, Toyota claims the “highly rigid body was specially constructed” for the new car.

Over standard, it features extra welds around chassis joints and more extensive use of structural adhesive between various components.

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My23 gr corolla circuit edition 03

It’s also said to be lighter than the standard Corolla without compromising strength or safety.

Lightweight materials are used throughout, taking the standard GR Corolla to a kerb weight of 1474kg, and the Circuit Edition takes that ethos further with a forged carbonfibre roof panel and an aluminium bonnet and front doors. 

The rally-inspired visual makeover introduces black trim details, gaping intakes on the bonnet and sides, heavily flared wheel arches and, most obviously, a prominent wing stretching out over the rear screen. 

That’s matched by motorsport-inspired tweaks to the cabin, including a leather-trimmed GR steering wheel, GR-badged seats and aluminium pedals; and on the Circuit Edition, suede seats and a shift knob signed by Toyota president Akio Toyoda. 

Felix Page

Felix Page
Title: Deputy editor

Felix is Autocar's deputy editor, responsible for leading the brand's agenda-shaping coverage across all facets of the global automotive industry - both in print and online.

He has interviewed the most powerful and widely respected people in motoring, covered the reveals and launches of today's most important cars, and broken some of the biggest automotive stories of the last few years. 

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Peter Cavellini 14 April 2022

 Yes this would sell by the dozen in the UK if it's a good Car, of course it'll have to be better than the Type-R and the other brands version like VW R32 etc, I'll stick my head above the Trench and say it's better looking than a type-R because the type-R looks like a collection of aerodynamic bits to make it faster and handle well, the Corolla like a toned down Rally car for the Road.

The Colonel 3 April 2022
Toyota will only sell three GR models in a given market at any one time. So in Europe they sell the GR Yaris, GR 86, and GR Supra. In the US, and much of Asia, the GR Yaris is not sold so there's room for the GR Corolla. In Japan once the build of the GRMN Yaris is complete room will be made for the GR Corolla for one year where the regular GR Yaris will pick up again.
Peter Cavellini 3 April 2022
The Colonel wrote:

Toyota will only sell three GR models in a given market at any one time. So in Europe they sell the GR Yaris, GR 86, and GR Supra. In the US, and much of Asia, the GR Yaris is not sold so there's room for the GR Corolla. In Japan once the build of the GRMN Yaris is complete room will be made for the GR Corolla for one year where the regular GR Yaris will pick up again.

Guess they must be more popular in the Eu then?, because I don't see many new Yaris or GR86 or the Supra for that matter, drop the Supra for the Corolla, or is that competition for the GR Yaris?

xxxx 5 April 2022

GR86 isn't for sale at the moment as there's a new model coming and the Yaris only been out a ccouple of months and has sold out.

Peter Cavellini 3 April 2022

Jus5 have to wait n see then, won't we?, I can't see why it wouldn't come here, there's obviously interest in the Car, and it doesn't look like all the other stuff pounding it way up the Roads.