Powertrain

The GRMN Corolla will have Toyota's turbocharged 1.6-liter three-cylinder engine, but engineers are retuning it for improved road course performance. As with the standard GR Corolla, its peak output will be 300 horsepower, but torque will increase to 302 lb.-ft. (from 295 lb.-ft.). The engine’s midrange output will be concentrated between 4,000 and 4,600 rpm, where drivers spend much of their time accelerating out of corners. The addition of an intercooler spray system and a sub-radiator will help manage the heat increase associated with high-load driving. Power will be channeled through Toyota's GR-FOUR all-wheel-drive system and a close-ratio six-speed intelligent manual transmission with automatic rev-matching.

Chassis and Performance

Our opinion is that the GRMN’s most significant upgrades are what can be felt, not seen. The model’s handling will provide maximum responsiveness at the car's limits. Toyota will equip the car with exclusive front and rear monotube shock absorbers featuring internal rebound springs, while revised bump-stop tuning will help improve stability over rough pavement and during high-speed cornering. It will come with Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tires for enhanced grip and extra stopping power.

Toyota will recalibrate both the electric power steering and GR-FOUR all-wheel-drive (AWD) system, stating that the revised AWD programming will send more torque to the rear during straight-line acceleration while improving stability during initial turn-in at higher speeds. Toyota also says that many of these changes were developed and refined through competition in Japan's Super Taikyu endurance racing series and testing at the Nürburgring.

Exterior Design

Toyota has spent some good energy on planning the GRMN Corolla’s exterior, as several of the styling changes will also serve a functional purpose. The hood, front fenders, front side spoilers, and adjustable rear wing will all be made of carbon fiber to improve aerodynamics while helping to reduce weight. The adjustable rear wing will have five positions that allow drivers to tailor downforce for different tracks or operating conditions.

These aerodynamic components were developed through Toyota's hydrogen-powered GR Corolla racing program and later fine-tuned during Nürburgring testing. Completing the exterior will be lightweight 18-inch forged aluminum wheels finished in matte bronze, exclusive GRMN badging, and dark Toyota emblems. Zero Gravity and Gravel will be the sole paint colors offered.

Interior

The GRMN Corolla’s cabin will be extensively reworked to reflect its track-focused mission. This starts with removing the rear seats, a step that reduces the car’s curb weight by almost 66 pounds compared to the standard GR Corolla, improving the power-to-weight ratio. The two seats will be GRMN-exclusive sport seats trimmed in black and red Brin Naub suede and synthetic leather, with a bucket shape designed to hold the driver and passenger during spirited cornering. The visuals will be hard to miss, too: a flocked instrument panel and A-pillars to reduce glare, carbon trim on the passenger side of the dashboard, red accents on the shift knob and door panels, and an individually numbered serial plate. The dashboard will also include the signature of Morizo, the alias of Toyota Chairman Akio Toyoda.