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Toyota’s most hardcore hatch is coming to Australia next year with only two seats
Unveiled today, the GRMN Corolla takes the Toyota GR Corolla recipe to the limit, ditching its rear seats to save 40kg.
With aerodynamic changes informed by racing in the Japanese Super Taikyu race series and upgraded suspension tuned at the Nurburgring Nordschleife, the GRMN Corolla goes beyond the defunct GR Corolla Morizo.
The GRMN Corolla is coming to Australia in two colours — matte black or khaki — in limited numbers for 2027, with pricing yet to be determined. Our guess is the GRMN will climb beyond the VW Golf R and Subaru WRX with a starting price near $90,000.
Under the bonnet the 1.6-litre turbocharged three-cylinder ‘G16E-GTS’ produces an unchanged 221kW (at 6500rpm) while torque increases to 408Nm (up 8Nm). An intercooler water spray system and vented bonnet help keep the hot hatch cool under pressure.
Pictures so far show the GRMN Corolla as a six-speed manual only, with no eight-speed automatic offered.
Toyota says it has retuned the GRMN Corolla’s suspension, adding new monotube dampers and tweaking the all-wheel drive logic. The electronic power steering system has been revised as well.
Providing grip are 10mm wider, 245/40ZR18 Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 semi-slick tyres.
Outside, the GRMN gets a larger rear wing with five-stage manual adjustment. That’s complimented by fender vents and front side spoiler. Toyota has not quantified aerodynamic gains.
Inside, the GRMN Corolla ditches the ‘softie’ GR’s rear seats like the Renaultsport Megane Trophy R.
The front seats are swapped to more heavily bolstered buckets finished in black and red Brin Naub suede and synthetic leather upholstery. They sit lower in the car to accommodate racing helmets, too.
The instrument panel has a rally-inspired flocked finish, while there are unique touches including the gear shifter and suede-cloth steering wheel cover.
Toyota will announce pricing, equipment and the number of GRMN Corollas coming to Australia closer to its launch — though this one will be exclusive heading only to Japan, North America and our shores.
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