Toyota GR Corolla’s Badder Big Brother Slated for Debut in 2025

The new GRMN Corolla will pick up where this base GR Corolla left off and employ more aggressive elements. … (+) aeroparts.

Photo courtesy of Toyota

A new facelifted version of the Toyota GR Corolla with a new 8-speed automatic gearbox and more torque may have recently been launched in the US, but an even more attractive new GRMN Corolla, which could be called the brother GR Corolla’s baddest biggest is on the way. pipeline and is scheduled to debut in 2025. Of course, GRMN stands for Gazoo Racing tuned by Meister of Nürburgring and is Toyota’s in-house customization studio.

The GRMN Corolla should use a 1.6-liter, 330 horsepower turbo

For the record, the current model Corolla GR It employs a rally-tuned 1.6-liter turbocharged 3-cylinder engine mated to a 6-speed manual gearbox and delivering 300 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque and a 0-to-10 sprint time. 60 mph in less than 5.0 seconds. Front and rear limited-slip differentials are now standard, and cars with automatic transmission have launch control, with Toyota’s GR-Four all-wheel-drive system also standard. It’s the same powertrain as the smaller but not U.S.-bound GR Yaris hatchback, which has 43 fewer horsepower than the GR Corolla.

Final power figures for the GRMN Corolla are still under wraps, but we expect its 1.6-liter turbo to increase by around 10% to 330 hp and a similar increase in torque.

Additional spot welds and carbon fiber body panels will be installed.

As we have seen with others Yaris modified by GRMN and GR86, we can expect to see the GRMN Corolla get a significant increase in spot welds to increase its curvature and torsional rigidity, while the roof and hood will be swapped for much lighter carbon fiber parts. We can also expect to see the cabin equipped with custom seats and weight-saving gauges.

This aerodynamic treatment on the GRMN Yaris is similar to what we can expect from the GRMN Corolla aerodynamic package.

Photo courtesy of Toyota

Additionally, as we saw on the GRMN Yaris, the Corolla version can expect to incorporate shorter throws with a low final gear and a mechanical LSD for more rally-inspired driving.

In early 2022, Toyota launched the GRMN Yaris ‘Part 1’, allowing enthusiasts to choose between the ‘Circuit Package’ and ‘Rally Package’ with each model employing slightly different custom parts in line with its unique flavor .

When they launched the GRMN Yaris Part 2 earlier this year with some major upgrades, Toyota did it in style by launching two bespoke specs, each limited to just 100 units and employing the names of two of their top World Rally Championship drivers. : Sebastien Ogier and Kalle Rovenpera. And although the cars sold for about 8.45 million yen or $55,600, they sold out within a few weeks.

_{The new GRMN Corolla prototype spied testing at the Nurburgring}

Meanwhile, the GRMN Corolla that was recently spotted testing at the famous Nurburgring racing circuit in Germany was covered in camouflage. But we could still see that the front end featured some bespoke aerodynamic parts, such as the small fins on the grille that open and close depending on the driver’s needs, as well as special ducts in the front fenders that feed cold air into the engine bay. and the wheel arches. In addition to a more aggressive air barrier, a redesigned hood also employs a more powerful air intake to cool the engine compartment and especially the intercooler.

With a launch date scheduled for late 2025, the rally-inspired GRMN Corolla is expected to hit showrooms in Japan for around ¥8 million or $53,000. There’s no word yet on exactly when the car will arrive in the U.S., but it’s in Toyota’s best interest for this icon of style and performance to get here quickly and smartly.