Overview
NEVER has there been a Toyota Corolla fairly like the brand new 2023 Toyota GR Corolla scorching hatch.
This all-wheel-drive, three-cylinder turbocharged, manual-only hatch has been within the works a very long time, and in line with Toyota Australia, it “completes the Corolla vary”.
There are two distinct takes on the GR Corolla theme at launch: the five-seat GTS grade, which lists at $62,300 (MSRP), and the two-seat particular mannequin generally known as the GR Corolla Morizo Version, which is priced at a staggering $77,800 (MSRP).
The latter is known as after the persona that grasp driver and former Toyota chief, Akio Toyoda, adopts when he’s behind the wheel of a automotive. Apparently.
Simply 700 examples of the GR Corolla GTS will arrive within the first 12 months on sale, whereas Morizo variations are, in line with Toyota Australia, not a “restricted version”, however the model has solely been in a position to safe 25 examples for the primary yr of allocation.
If you happen to’re pondering that the GR Corolla appears to observe the same system to the GR Yaris, you’re proper. It’s a copy-and-paste train, to a level, in that they share the identical 1.6-litre three-cylinder turbo-petrol engine, although within the case of the GR Corolla there may be extra energy on supply – 221kW (21kW greater than Yaris) and 370Nm.
The torque determine jumps to 400Nm for Morizo fashions.
The 0-100km/h time is 5.29 seconds for the Corolla GR GTS, and 5.21sec for the Morizo, which has a 45kg weight benefit by the use of a slew of things being eliminated to assist maintain kerb weight low. The GTS weighs 1485kg; Morizo is 1440kg. That’s spectacular given the GR fashions pack in all-wheel drive with Torsen restricted slip differentials.
Driving impressions
My time within the GR Corolla was break up between on-road, a moist short-circuit observe drive, and a skid pan session, and it’s protected to say I had essentially the most enjoyable driving the latter. That’s as a result of the GR Corolla has a couple of neat methods up its sleeve.
The selectable drive ratio settings imply you may regulate the driving character of the automotive on the flip of a dial, which means it will possibly go between a 60:40 entrance to rear drive setting to a 30:70 setup that’s, understandably, extra of a drift-style drive. In Monitor mode, there’s a 50:50 break up, designed to make the automotive deal with with extra evenness.
Additional to that, there’s a guide handbrake which, when operated, disconnects drive to the rear wheels, which means you gained’t want to fret in regards to the clutch for essentially the most half when pulling a handbrake flip. That in flip means you may plant your left foot (conserving you extra steady), raise the handbrake to let the rear fling out, then energy out on the throttle. For me, 30:70 drive mode was a bit too taily, however in 60:40 it had a correct slingshot-style acceleration out of the slide.
That mentioned, it nonetheless feels extra surefooted and confidence-inspiring to a wannabe driver like me. I’m not the type of one that spends their financial savings on observe days, however I can see the enchantment after driving the GR Corolla in that state of affairs. The steering is fairly good, too, with a pleasant weight to it and predictable response, however being an electrical energy steering setup, it isn’t the final phrase when it comes to really feel to the driving force’s palms.
Not all GR fashions are the identical. The place the Toyota GR Yaris tended to really feel prefer it needed to chew you up and spit you out, the GR Corolla is extra like a agency hug from an previous buddy.
It’s significantly extra securely planted and managed, to not point out controllable, in almost all conditions, with a degree of confidence-inspiring assuredness that’s uncommon to search out in a guide scorching hatch.
It doesn’t squirm or squirrel on the floor almost as a lot as a GR Yaris does due to the Corolla’s longer wheelbase, and the drive is significantly extra planted and with extra high-speed stability, too.
The physique management within the bends is a spotlight. The Corolla’s suspension (Macpherson entrance, multi-link rear) affords a agency really feel on the street, however nonetheless a degree of consolation as properly. It holds a line properly, and there may be little or no physique roll to cope with.
For the each day driver, the agency suspension could also be a little bit of a trade-off. That’s as a result of the Corolla GR isn’t as plush using or cosseting as a Volkswagen Golf R, for example. Not like the German scorching hatch, the Japanese participant doesn’t supply the driving force adaptive chassis management to enhance the consolation ranges. Certainly, it may be a tad jarring over sharp edges, and you’ll agency the chassis’ rigidity over repetitive low-speed bumps.
As for the powertrain? It’s a raspy little character that just about appears to egg you on, with loads of pulling energy unfold via the rev vary past a barely laggy spot down low within the vary. The trademark burble is clear from the three-cylinder turbo engine, nevertheless, it might not be loud sufficient for some. Although there’s a revised three-output exhaust system that’s designed to indicate what the automotive is able to, it’s nonetheless a Toyota, so it isn’t as flashy or flamboyant because it may very well be. For individuals who want the snap, crackle and pop of their lives, the Hyundai i30 N can be a greater match.
I’d not say the GR Corolla’s six-speed guide gearbox affords any new requirements in shift motion or really feel. Certainly, I reckon a Honda Civic Sort R has a greater slink to its motion. However the Toyota’s ‘field affords a brief throw and shut gates, whereas the weighty clutch is nice on the open street, however in stop-start visitors it might grow to be tedious.
The six-speeder additionally has Toyota’s “clever guide transmission” system, which can throttle blip to rev match for you on the down-shift. Nice for individuals who haven’t perfected their heel-and-toe motion however wish to give the impression that they’ve.
A couple of last ideas… There may be some noticeable tyre noise to cope with, although for a hot-hatch purchaser that mightn’t be a dealbreaker. And whereas the GR Corolla is definitely extra in regards to the particular person within the driver’s seat than some other place within the cabin, it stays a good again seat for taller occupants, and on this spec the otherwise-standard rear-seat air-vents have been eliminated (the entrance lined console bin has been axed to assist with arm area when driving).
If you happen to actually are the type of purchaser who doesn’t care about back-seat area, although, the Morizo Version removes that row altogether, with a set of braces that permit you to join a racing harness and safe a set of spare wheels for observe days.
And sure, it nonetheless has one of many smallest boots in the marketplace, at 213 litres for the GTS. The automotive’s battery is beneath the ground within the rear cargo zone now, too, and there’s no spare wheel (restore package).
It could have taken some time, but it surely was definitely worth the wait. The Toyota GR Corolla is a particular automotive.
