Well, there are not too many enthusiasts who yearn for a Toyota Corolla. But there are plenty of folks looking for a reliable, comfortable transportation appliance who do. The combination of rock-solid reliability and good fuel economy has made the Corolla the best-selling car model of all time. But sometimes you want to go a little faster than the standard Corolla and have the availability of an enthusiast manual transmission. For those who are shopping the Subaru WRX, the GR Corolla Premium Plus offers some amazing competitive features. Toyota includes a forged carbon fiber roof, a gloss black rear spoiler, matte black 15-spoke cast alloy wheels and Brin Naub suede-trimmed sport seats with bold red stitching, along with a Head-up Display for an enhanced driving experience. But when you get into the driving dynamics tech, this rally-inspired Corolla really shines.
Go Fast
When you go underneath the Corolla GR and have a look, you’ll see this is no ordinary front-wheel-drive Corolla. Featuring the GR-FOUR All-Wheel-Drive System, this machine is designed to master all sorts of terrain, whether it’s on the track, dirt or snow. According to Toyota, the GAZOO Racing team has been hard at work, driving in challenging environments such as the Nürburgring, to implement track-tested enhancements for the GR. With 45.6 feet of additional structural adhesive in the front and rear sections of the body, the GR Corolla boasts improved body rigidity and rear grip for better suspension movement and a more direct feeling. This helps ensure consistent steering and stable cornering. Plus, a new secondary air intake duct helps optimize temperatures to deliver maximum engine performance for relentless power on long drives.
Rally Car Power
If you look under the hood, you’ll see the Corolla GR is down a cylinder, but the large turbocharger replaces the displacement. The 1.6-liter three-cylinder turbo engine doles out 300 horsepower at 6,500 rpm and 295 lb-ft of torque. This is enough kick to have fun in any situation. The GR Corolla is available with either an eight-speed GAZOO Racing Direct Automatic Transmission (DAT) or a six-speed Intelligent Manual Transmission (iMT). The eight-speed DAT, designed for sporty driving, senses the way the driver steps on the brakes and operates the accelerator. With these inputs, it can anticipate when gear shifting is optimal even before changes in vehicle behavior occur, achieving a gear selection that reflects the driver’s intentions and leading to shifting that mimics professional drivers. My tester had the even more fun six-speed iMT. You get to row your own gears while the Toyota computer delivers sophisticated rev-matching technology. This system automatically adjusts engine rpm during downshifts, helping make sure there are seamless gear transitions and reducing the risk of engine stalling and/or loss of traction.
Putting Power to the Ground
Toyota notes the heart of the GR Corolla is the rally-racing-developed GR-FOUR All-Wheel-Drive System. Developed in collaboration with the TOYOTA GAZOO Racing World Rally Team, it is designed to deliver exceptional levels of traction and control by optimizing drive power to each wheel. With the twist of a dial, the driver can select Normal, Gravel or Track AWD modes to adjust front/rear wheel torque distribution. Normal mode adjusts the front/rear torque distribution to 60:40 for everyday driving. Gravel adjusts the distribution to 50:50 to help deliver maximum traction. Track mode adjusts distribution by continuously varying the drive force distribution from front-focused 60:40 to rear-focused 30:70 based on the driver’s input and vehicle status. Front and rear Torsen Limited-Slip Differentials (LSD) are standard on the GR, giving grip with control of left- and right-hand drive torque distribution on the front and rear axles.
Displays
The Corolla GR has a fully digital 12.3-inch gauge cluster to display information, in addition to a Head-up Display. You can select and customize the cluster to give information that is important to you. But let’s be honest, you are going to put a large digital turbo boost gauge where you want it! The Head-up Display gives navigation information so you can keep your eyes on the road. The only thing that was lacking was the size of the 8-inch infotainment touchscreen, which looks small in today’s age of massive displays. It looks at home in the base Corolla, but the GR could use something larger. But the Toyota Audio Multimedia system offers touch and voice activation. With Intelligent Assistant through an available Drive Connect trial or subscription, phrases like “Hey Toyota” awaken the system for voice-activated commands to search for directions, find Points of Interest (POI), adjust audio controls and change the cabin temperature.
JBL Audio
The JBL Audio system has been enhanced to improve the audio experience during every day and track driving. It features nine speakers throughout the vehicle, including a subwoofer in the luggage compartment. Additionally, vehicles equipped with the JBL Premium Sound System now include Active Sound Control (ASC), which emits sporty sounds through the speakers that correspond to changes in acceleration, deceleration and driving force based on accelerator and shift lever operation. Toyota says this provides the driver with more audio cues to help sense the vehicle’s state. I could forgo that noise to listen to the factory blowoff valve that provides a fun turbo soundtrack on its own.
Toyota’s excellent safety suite is here, as it is in all Toyota vehicles. But the unusual thing is having Dynamic Radar Cruise Control with a manual transmission! So yes, you can leave it in sixth gear and have the GR gently accelerate or slow down when necessary. The Corolla GR is for anyone who wants practicality and rally car goodness in the same vehicle. The hatchback design makes it a candidate for the perfect all-around vehicle. You can take it to the track, a rally stage or the supermarket. But this versatility does come with a price. My tester came in at $49K. But the next vehicle I could think of that offers Dynamic Cruise Control with a manual transmission is the BMW M3 at $80K. But you’ll lose the all-wheel-drive capability. These are fun choices to ponder as an enthusiast.
