THE unassuming Corolla has not had legitimate performance credentials for quite some time. If you can only remember as far as the RunX RSi, you are missing out on the fascinating narrative of the Corolla.
You may discover various iterations of the world's best-selling passenger automobile that had the RSi title before the RunX RSi was released.
If you go further, you will find that the AE86 iteration of the Corolla has a storied racing history and that it is the spiritual heir to the Toyota GT and GR86 sports cars featured in the Japanese anime series InitialD.
The GR Corolla, however, hides no secrets about its roots as the initial basis for Toyota's on- and off-road production vehicle racing activities.
The Gazoo Racing (GR) brand in Southern Africa produces the fourth high-performance model, the GR Corolla. It completes the quartet (for the time being) together with the GR86, GR Supra, and GR Yaris.
Not to be confused with the GR Sport offerings, which feature only cosmetic and non-performance-enhancing suspension and styling changes, the GR Corolla is a turbocharged, all-wheel-drive hooligan machine capable of competing with the Volkswagen Golf R, BMW M135i xDrive, Audi S3, and Mercedes-AMG A35.
Design
The GR Corolla looks quite similar to the standard Corolla hatchback, yet it has a very different vibe. That is because the GR Corolla is much bigger than the standard model. The vehicle as a whole is 35 mm longer and 10 mm lower, but its purposeful stance is a result of its wider track and body. The track is widened by 20 millimetres up front and 60 millimeters in the back, while the wheels are pushed out further than they are on a standard Corolla by 60 millimetres up front and a hefty 90 millimetres in the back.
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The GR Matrix grille, LED headlights, and a sizable air dam in the front bumper are all part of the custom front end that has been installed. In addition to this, the undercarriage has been flattened and covered to both increase road grip and decrease power-sapping aerodynamic drag.
The two vents in the hood of a Circuit model are a telltale sign that it is designed for racing. All Gr Corolla variants come standard with a set of 18-inch lightweight Enkei alloy wheels wrapped in 235/40R18 Yokohama Advan tyres. You can see the red GR monoblock brake calipers trailing behind them.
Outside and inside
One legitimate complaint about the GR Corolla, and really any GR product, is that the quality of the cabin doesn't seem to match the price. You could have higher expectations for the car's features, trims, and design after shelling out this much cash. You may have been expecting more, but that does not mean the GR Corolla falls short on trimming.
The leather-wrapped steering wheel is a GR 3-spoke model, and the leather handbrake and gear change gaiter are a nice touch. The door inserts and dashboard have a leather-like finish, while the trim is finished in glossy black.
The GR-Four selector necessitates some minor adjustments to the center console. Finished in BRIN-NAUB suede with leather, the GR bucket seats are both supportive and comfortable.
The trunk is relatively tiny (213 liters), but the inside is roomy. Compared to the competition, this is noticeably smaller; yet, the GR Corolla is not about the frills; rather, it is all about the performance. It's primarily intended for the use of its driver.
Comfort
Even though the finishing touches are not quite as impressive as those of the competitors, there are still enough high-tech options to make sure you do not feel short-changed. A multifunction steering wheel and Android Auto/Apple CarPlay make up for the 7-inch screen's diminutive size and too-basic UI. Like the GR Yaris, this Toyota has a lightweight dual-zone climate control system to keep you comfortable in all weather.
The 12.3-inch digital screen in the driver's display system is a significant improvement. The tachometer is the focal point of the diagramme, with performance data and trip details arranged around it. In sport mode, the tachometer is replaced with a bar graph, allowing for more accurate shift timing.
Performance
In this respect, the GR Corolla excels. The 1.6-litre, 3-cylinder turbocharged engine in the GR Yaris, which produces 221 kW at 6500 RPM and 360 Nm between 3000 and 5550 RPM, powers the GR Corolla.
As a result of improvements made to the intake ports, injection spray pattern, cooling system, and piston design, this is now possible.
Through a lightweight GR-Four all-wheel-drive system and a 6-speed manual transmission, all four wheels get this power.
Although it seems to be rather resilient, it has a frail, flimsy feel about it. Toyota has not released acceleration data for the GR Corolla; however, local testing has shown a 0-100 km/h time of less than 6 seconds and a peak speed of 230 km/h.
However, it is not the point of the GR Corolla.
Turn it into a turn and enjoy the superior grip and cornering traction it provides. As you round the next turn, you forget about the car's tight suspension and fancy cabin for a while.
The GR Corolla can handle far more speed than you would expect, and an experienced pilot can lower down the ESC settings to make it spin and swerve like a housefly.
Fuel consumption
Toyota says the GR Corolla should get 8.4 l/100 km in the city, but to be quite honest, it never will. You will not be able to resist the impulse to floor it before the next turn and enjoy the adrenaline rush of full speed.
The GR Corolla's poor fuel economy is better forgotten.
Safety
Having such a high rate of acceleration is useless if you are not protected from serious harm. The GR Corolla's Toyota Safety Sense package features a wide variety of driving aids, including active cruise control, lane departure warning, and emergency steering.
In addition to anti-lock brakes (ABS), electronic stability control (ESC), parking sensors, and a rearview camera, the GR Corolla comes standard with seven airbags.
Competitors
The BMW M135i xDrive, Mercedes-AMG A35, Volkswagen Golf R, and Audi S3 are other alternatives to consider if you are in the market for a car in this price range. There are alternatives, such as the Renault Megane RS 300 Trophy and the Hyundai i30N, that don't need all-wheel drive. At this pricing range, a MINI Cooper JCW is also not an awful option.
My decision
The Toyota GR Corolla is a special edition model designed for driving fans. It is the perfect vehicle for folks who care more about the engineering than the status of the brand name. The GR Yaris is livelier and quicker than the Corolla, although the latter is more refined. It has nicer furnishings and more room, but that is irrelevant once you take it by the scruff of the neck and start wrangling it.
Specifications
Charger: turbocharger
Cylinder Layout: inline
Cylinders:3
Engine Capacity:1618 cc
Engine Position / Location: front
Engine Size: 1.6 l
Fuel Type: petrol
Gearshift: manual
Power Max rpm:6500 r/min
Power Max:221 Kw
Power Maximum Total: 221 Kw
Torque Max Total:370 Nm
Torque Max:370 Nm
Transmission type: manual
- andrew@muzamhindo.com.
