Now’s your alternative if you’re pining for a GR Corolla however can’t drive stick. New for 2025, amongst a flurry of significant updates, is an non-compulsory 8-speed computerized transmission explicitly constructed for this rally-bred hatchback. That is Toyota’s Direct Computerized Transmission, or DAT, and it prices $2,220 on high of the Premium trim, bringing its sticker value simply shy of $60,000. That’s plenty of coin for such a small automobile however the GR Corolla is in contrast to any hatchback that has come earlier than it.
The brand new DAT makes use of completely different software program than different GR computerized merchandise just like the Supra and GR86. As a substitute of using transmission logic that senses deceleration, g-force, and pace, the DAT screens the driving force’s enter on the gasoline and brake pedals to optimize gear-shifting patterns, that means it’s going to anticipate a gear shift earlier than you want it. In a means, it’s just like the traction management of gearboxes, aiding and guiding you to attain most pace when you concentrate on steering modulation and imaginative and prescient. Toyota have tried to optimize their gear ratios and shift factors to imitate that of the guide gearbox as effectively, and are eager to notice that they’ve totally examined its sturdiness within the Japan Rally Championship and Tremendous Taikyu Sequence. Race on Sunday, repair and promote on Monday.
With the DAT comes a brand new transmission fluid cooler, dynamic cruise management, and launch management. There are additionally 4 driving modes: Sport, Regular, Eco, and Customized, however Toyota says it particularly ready its DAT gearbox for Sport Mode. You possibly can additional regulate torque distribution 3 ways, Regular, Gravel, or Monitor, through the middle knob. Regular provides 60:40 entrance:rear torque distribution, whereas Gravel is 50:50 for max traction, and Monitor varies from 60:40 to 30:70 based mostly on the driving force’s enter and grip circumstances.
All 2025 fashions obtain a slight bump in torque irrespective of the gearbox, useful for the reason that DAT provides a 30 kg penalty. The 1.6-litre turbocharged three-cylinder nonetheless produces 300 horsepower, however torque is raised by 22 lb-ft for a complete of 295 lb-ft. All GR Corollas nonetheless put on normal 18-inch tires wrapped round Michelin Pilot Sport 4 tires 235/40R18, however ours wore Bridgestone winter tires as a substitute. Different updates for 2025 embody a brand new entrance bumper with larger vents to enhance cooling, a limited-slip differential that’s normal throughout the lineup, and a reworked suspension with new rebound springs for higher stability in corners. The brake ducts have been improved and a sub-radiator is a separate choice for higher cooling, extremely really useful for these frequenting the racetrack.
We had been genuinely shocked when Toyota introduced a brand new computerized for his or her spiciest hatchback, contemplating that their primary rival, the Honda Civic Kind R, continues to be a manual-only recreation. Maybe they needed to eat into the Volkswagen Golf R’s market share. We’re robust proponents of the guide gearbox however we’re additionally conscious that we’re a choose minority. Some drivers need all of the flavour however with out all of the work that’s required. That’s who this computerized GR Corolla is aiming to appease.
And it’s profitable. The GR Corolla hasn’t adopted a brand new persona. Quite, it’s simply added a brand new instrument to its armoury. With the DAT, it instantly feels extra approachable and relaxed. The gearbox makes fast work of the shifting and helps you simply and extra constantly extract its efficiency. Grip the wheel, flooring the pedal, and let the software program determine the remaining – blistering efficiency served on a silver platter.
Downshifts are crispy and DCT-like of their pace, however upshifts might be sluggish and unreactive to extra aggressive inputs. The software program clearly prioritizes easy and mild shifts reasonably than sharp and edgy ones that rub towards the limiter. When the powertrain is chilly, the engine and gearbox are downtuned to protect their shelf life with RPMs restricted to five,000 rpm and the DAT robotically upshifting even you probably have guide mode chosen. As soon as correctly warmed up with the transmission temperature round 50C and the oil temperature round 75C, you may launch the dragon and blip the needle on the limiter for so long as you please.
Rowing the gears through the plastic paddle shifters mounted behind the steering wheel or through the gear lever is extremely really useful. The plastic paddles can really feel low-cost however are firmly lodged in place, and extra sturdy and fewer flimsy than those within the BMW M3. Keep in mind that that is an financial system automobile wrapped round a rally automobile basis. Luxurious and creature comforts are usually not the precedence, and the shift motion feels fairly participating and direct. There’s a guide selector gate for the gear lever on the left facet as effectively, and we recommend this methodology if you wish to channel your internal WRC Rally1 driver. The shift motion is within the appropriate format: push as much as downshift, pull to upshift. We might additionally seek for a taller shifter knob that comes as much as the steering wheel peak for that added rally authenticity.
Leaving the gearbox in computerized mode makes for a straightforward day by day driver. It doesn’t all the time hunt for effectivity within the high gear and is kind of intelligent at monitoring your inputs and staying balanced in the fitting gear and the fitting RPM for immediate kick the second you hit the gasoline pedal. The 2 additional gears make freeway driving much less taxing on the ears and again, with fewer vibrations seeping via and a quieter exhaust sound.
Which isn’t to say that the DAT saps all of the enjoyable out. Removed from it. The automated emits an analogous sense of event because the guide, with the powertrain nonetheless firing away like a blacksmith’s forge. We don’t keep in mind the final time we fired up a car and it shook your complete chassis because it buzzed into life, such as you’ve simply stepped on a indignant beehive. The rattles and vibrations on ignition are like having a massaging chair on a medium setting. To some, this may really feel unrefined, structurally flimsy, and downright low-cost, however to others and us, it provides to its uncooked motorsport vibe and is a sense that you just don’t get in right this moment’s sports activities automobiles.
This GR jogs my memory of the Nissan 370Z NISMO when it was first launched. Its gear lever would rumble in its socket and numb your hand on idle, the seats would shake from the energetic V6, and the exhaust was pure and unfiltered. The Corolla’s exhaust buzzes and rumbles like a mini Alfa Romeo Quadrifoglio V6 and reaches full music in third gear at 4,000 rpm, making the FL5 Civic Kind R sound tame and subdued by comparability. Fewer cylinders but extra charisma.
The GR Corolla with the brand new DAT is an exhilarating supermini different for many who don’t need the full-time dedication and added effort of a three-pedal drive, or just want a one-car resolution that requires sharing with the household. You lose palpable engagement and reward with out the guide however not on the expense of a diluted rally automobile. In some methods, working a sequential lever places you nearer to the genuine rally expertise, and the GR is actually not missing in efficiency or charisma. Quite the opposite, it’s some of the charismatic automobiles we’ve pushed all 12 months.
Specs:
Mannequin: 2025 Toyota GR Corolla Premium DAT
Paint Kind: Supersonic Crimson
Base Worth: $58,737
Worth as Examined: $58,992
Wheelbase(mm): 2,642
Size/Width/Peak (mm): 4,405 / 1,851 / 1,479
Curb weight (kg): 1,515
Engine: 1.6-litre turbocharged three-cylinder (G16E-GTS)
Horsepower: 300 hp @ 6,500 rpm
Torque: 295 lb-ft @ 3,250 rpm
Transmission: 8-speed computerized
Engine & Drive Configuration: Entrance engine, AWD
Noticed Gasoline Consumption (L/100km): 11.6
Tires: 235/40R18; Bridgestone winter tires
