Gazoo Racing – Toyota’s performance and motorsports division – has finally revealed the 2022 Toyota GR Corolla after a lengthy teaser campaign. The good news is it is coming to the US, and it packs the most power any Corolla has ever delivered, along with the most aggressive styling cues.
2022 Toyota GR Corolla Preview
Powertrain
The power comes from a modified variant of the G16E-GTS turbocharged 1.6-liter three-cylinder engine churning out 300 horsepower (224 kilowatts) at 6,500 rpm and 273 pound-feet (370 Newton-meters) from 3,000 to 5,500 rpm. The standard GR Four all-wheel-drive system has three driver-selectable front/rear torque splits (60-40, 50-50, and 30-70), allowing drivers to conquer different driving conditions effortlessly.
Toyota offers Torsen limited-slip differentials on the front and rear axles for an improved grip and enhanced lateral torque distribution.
Unfortunately, Toyota did not provide us with the 0 to 60 acceleration time nor the maximum speed number. However, if we consider the European-bound Toyota GR Yaris, which features a version of the same 1.6-liter turbo as the GR Corolla (same mill with lots of updates), it can zoom to 62 mph (100 km/h) in fewer than 5.5 seconds with an electronically limited top speed of 143 mph.
Bear in mind that the three-banger turbo in GR Yaris is good for 257 hp (192 kW) and 266 lb-ft (360 Nm). Alternatively, the GR Yaris is lighter than the GR Corolla – 2,822 pounds (1,280 kilograms) against 3,249 pounds (1,474 kilograms). Studying all the factors, we believe the Gazoo Racing Corolla will be able to hit 60-mph in sub-five seconds.
Salient Features
The high-performance hatchback gets a tweaked GA-C platform with more weld points to fortify the intersections, and there is a good use of aluminum to minimize its weight.
The front and rear fenders stretch out from the car’s structure, giving it a broader standpoint for boosted handling as well as accepting larger performance rubber. The engineers have also employed carbon fiber on the roof (only for the Circuit Edition) to curtail the hot hatch’s weight and drop its center of gravity.
To improve the GR Corolla’s ride and handling, Toyota used MacPherson-type struts on the front and a double-wishbone suspension at the rear. The engineers have also improved the springs, dampers, and stabilizer bars to make it a more capable machine on the track.
The 18-inch, 15-spoke wheels with a shiny-black polish, covered in Michelin Pilot Sport 4 tires ( 235/40R18), perform the propulsion duty. The front wheels get 14 x 1.1-inch ventilated and slotted rotors with four-piston calipers, while the rear ones have 11.7 x 0.7-inch ventilated discs with two-piston calipers.
Cabin and Safety Features
The Gazoo Racing Corolla features the standard Toyota Audio Multimedia infotainment. Upgrading to the Circuit model brings more standard goodies, such as JBL premium audio, navigation and Qi-compatible wireless phone charging.
The entry-level Core can also get all these features through upgrading to the Technology package. Whatever model you choose, the wireless Android Auto and Apple Carplay, as well as Amazon Alexa, are standard.
To make this rally-ready hot hatch safe on the road, Toyota added Safety Sense 3.0 driver assistance suite. The tech comprises pre-collision warning with pedestrian and motorcyclist detection, in addition to lane departure warning, lane tracing steering assist, automatic high beams, etc. Besides, the radar-based adaptive cruise control, which we seldom find in three-pedal vehicles, is a regular feature.
GR Corolla Core and Circuit Editions
Toyota offers the 2022 GR Corolla in two variants – the standard Core with deliveries starting later this year and the limited-run Circuit Edition that’ll be available next year.
The entry-level model can be had in white, black, and Supersonic Red paints, along with fabric-wrapped seats with a black and silver combination. The optional Cold Weather package would bring heated front seats and a heated steering wheel, while the Technology package offers navigation, an upgraded stereo, and wireless smartphone charging.
The Circuit Edition comes with a forged carbon roof and is accessible in white, Supersonic Red, and Heavy Metal satin finish paint. We can further differentiate it from its red brake calipers with the GR logo and a vented hood with a more prominent power bulge and a bigger roof spoiler than the Core. The Torsen limited-slip differentials for the front and rear axle are also a standard affair.
The interior gets a Brin Naub faux suede and synthetic leather upholstery in a black and red combination. Other standard facilities include navigation, an eight-speaker stereo, automatic climate control, heated front seats, and a heated steering wheel.
Price
While we did not get a word from Toyota regarding GR Corolla’s price, we believe it will be around $37,000, considering the GR Yaris and GR Supra prices. The Circuit Edition will obviously be costlier, approximately adding five grands above the Core’s cost. Whatever model you pick, Toyota offers one-year free membership in the National Auto Sport Association.
