The GR Corolla is a rally automobile with quantity plates, and it’s one of the uncooked, targeted, and fascinating autos that Toyota has ever constructed. You possibly can neglect about Corolla stereotypes and low-cost jabs at boring beige paint colors as a result of GR has modified the sport. It stands for Gazoo Racing and is the efficiency arm of Toyota. Consider it like what M is to BMW, or AMG to Mercedes.
The GR Supra was the vanguard in North America, resurrecting the legendary moniker to convey Toyota again into the efficiency fold. The GR86 was subsequent, an up to date model of the 86 that instilled pure driving efficiency and engagement into a light-weight, inexpensive, rear-wheel drive bundle. The GR Yaris adopted shortly after, launching with a lot fanfare abroad however stays forbidden fruit right here in Canada.
Enter the GR Corolla. Solely its naked construction and sure inside bits are shared with the commuter automobile that fills the streets as a result of underneath that smurf blue paint is a rally-car derived, highly-strung, 1.6-litre turbocharged three-cylinder engine that places out 300 hp and 273 lb-ft of torque. Hand-built in Japan, the GR Corolla is additional transplanted with 18-inch wheels, a limited-slip differential, and a rally-inspired AWD system, A six-speed guide runs the present (no computerized obtainable), and you may even shift the torque distribution between the axles with a easy dial like within the Subaru WRX STI, from 60:40 to 50:50, or 30:70 to the rear.
Those that had misplaced persistence ready for a guide GR Supra, these infuriated by the Golf R’s infotainment system, or those that are 999th in line for a Civic Sort R, will discover that the GR Corolla ticks all the precise containers. Extra enjoyable and refined than a Veloster N or Elantra N, and rowdier and extra entertaining than a Golf R, the GR Corolla merely doesn’t get distracted by providing luxurious facilities or the entire gamut of creature comforts. As an alternative, it has put all its marbles into the powertrain.
Three-cylinders are uncommon within the Canadian market, and there’s a cause. The odd variety of cylinders means the engine isn’t as clean as a four-cylinder, and is rougher across the edges, transmitting tough vibrations throughout idle and at low revs, and rattling all of the gadgets you haven’t secured down within the cabin. It reminds us of different odd-cylinder engines just like the Audi five-cylinder RS models. It’s a extra uncooked and virtually sentient being due to it. The powerband is rather more restricted, so you could maintain the needle swinging within the meaty 4,000 – 5,000 rpm vary, however when you get in that candy spot, oh boy. It’s a extremely caffeinated, triple-shot espresso of an engine.
The GR accelerates with gusto and by no means feels torpid or underwhelming underneath wide-open throttle. Nonetheless, the journey loses in fluency the slower you go, rippling and crashing on the tiniest of bumps and street cracks. Protected to say, it’s a automobile that rewards quick and aggressive driving and despises being wrangled at a relaxed and informal tempo. It reminds us of the WRX STI on this means, particularly with its equally rumbling exhaust, plastic-laden inside, 300-hp output, and adjustable AWD system. And with no new STI in the marketplace, Toyota has stuffed that hole fairly properly with the Corolla. It’s even obtained a greater sound system, not that you just want it. The vocals within the GR are exhilarating, to say the least. It won’t solely get up the neighbours however elicit grins from ear to ear.
It’s not precisely gas environment friendly although. We averaged 11.3 L/100km over a mixture of metropolis and freeway driving, not nice for such a small hatchback however then once more it’s guide and all-wheel drive, and we weren’t precisely piloting it like an arthritic senior. We drove it prefer it was meant to be pushed. In all, you possibly can anticipate about 400 km on a full tank.
It is a three-pedal-only sport, and the stipulations to function them are in full impact. However the shifter and clutch chew level are fairly lenient. Newbie-friendly? We’d say so, as there’s even auto downshifting which blips the throttle for you for good rev-matching, giving your limbs a little bit of a break in heavy site visitors. Heel and toe shifts aren’t obligatory right here. However we want the button was in a extra handy location – it’s hidden behind the steering column out of view, making it tough to entry in a pinch. Annoyingly, it defaults again to OFF each time you restart the automobile.
The shifter presents glorious engagement and optimistic suggestions, rowing by the gears with out ambiguity, and slots into place with none wiggle room or guesswork concerned. Although, it’s straightforward to mistake third gear for fifth – the tolerance between gates is slender, and the angle at which the shifter is positioned isn’t probably the most ideally suited.
However it’s the peachy dealing with that impresses us extra. The GR Corolla is a remarkably three-dimensional sports activities automobile with a tenacious entrance finish and playful rear. You possibly can take a number of liberties with nook entry velocity because of the sticky tires (ours was on winters nevertheless it nonetheless supplied loads of grip) and AWD system. We might really detect variations between the 60:40 and 30:70 cut up modes. The rear has extra slip within the latter and permits for extra followthrough and rotation underneath throttle or trail-braking. With a heavy entrance finish, the turn-in won’t ever be as sharp because the GR86, however it can swing its hip properly should you ask it to, and we merely adore the way it enjoys taking part in on the fringes of grip and tire limits while you egg it on.
Expectedly, the journey within the GR is stiff, bouncing up and down when negotiating sharp oscillations, and it doesn’t deal with these motions with the identical grace as a Golf R. It’s barely rougher than a Civic Sort R too. However neither of them flies underneath the radar in addition to the Corolla, particularly on this easy and unremarkable shade of white paint. It doesn’t also have a fancy paint identify. It’s simply, White. To the untrained eye, it seems to be like another civilian Corolla. However spot the central exhaust suggestions, barely extra imposing physique equipment, and rear spoiler, and you’ll understand it’s hiding a three-cylinder reactor. But, it doesn’t even really feel particular while you climb into the closely bolstered seats, till you fireplace up the engine and notice that there’s an actual sense of event to this hatch.
There’s really nothing particular or noteworthy in regards to the inside. When you lined up the GR badges, you wouldn’t guess it prices almost double a base Corolla. Extra No Frills than Erewhon. There’s a litany of unashamed plastic littered all through, and it genuinely feels low-cost subsequent to the competitors. For $50,000, you’d anticipate slightly extra garnish. Moderately, it’s naked bones in right here, and never a visually or ergonomically nice place to spend time in. It’s an off-the-rack swimsuit that hardly matches. But, all is forgiven each time we fireplace up that three-cylinder and take this rally hatch for a spirited spin.
The GR Corolla is a riot to drive, and the very best half is you don’t must promote a kidney to afford one. It rings up underneath $50,000 and delivers a six-figure efficiency. It’s not as inexpensive as a GR86, it doesn’t have the refinement of a Sort R, and it lacks the cabin consolation of a Golf R, however as an total bundle, the Toyota is extra enthralling. It’s simpler to search out concord with the street and really feel at one with each acceleration and steering inputs. Each stab of the throttle and equipment change strikes the emotional chord like a slam dunk, and tugs on the heartstrings greater than another scorching hatch in the marketplace. Higher but, it flies underneath the radar higher than a B2. Sleeper automobile of the 12 months, for positive.
Specs:
Mannequin: 2024 Toyota GR Corolla Circuit Version
Paint Sort: Blue Flame
Base Value: $46,850
Value as Examined: $56,950
Wheelbase(mm): 2,642
Size/Width/Peak (mm): 4,405 / 1,851 / 1,479
Curb weight (kg): 1,479
Engine: 1.6-litre turbocharged three-cylinder
Horsepower: 300 hp
Torque: 273 lb-ft
Transmission: 6-speed guide
Engine & Drive Configuration: Entrance engine, AWD
Noticed Gasoline Consumption (L/100km): 10.7
Tires: 235/40R18
