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Toyota’s Corolla Is Getting a GR Upgrade That Makes the Hatch Even More Enthusiast-Ready

Ever in the pursuit of progress, the Japanese automaker is refining its JDM GR Corolla hatch for even more engaging driving.

White Toyota GR Corolla hatchback driving on a road, shown from the rear right side with motion blur on the background and wheels, featuring black accents and red brake calipers.Toyota
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By Gray Van Dyke

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Between its GR Four all-wheel drive system, its standard Torsen limited-slip differentials and its specially tuned suspension, the Toyota GR Corolla already has a lot going for it from an enthusiast’s point of view.

As the model should. In developing its high-octane hot hatches, Toyota’s Gazoo Racing squad employs an approach called “driver-first carmaking,” which is essentially motorsport speak for repeatedly breaking and fixing vehicles to find out what works and what needs improvement. 

A silver Toyota GR Corolla is driving on a winding road surrounded by dense green foliage. The car is captured from a low front angle, emphasizing its aggressive front grille and sleek headlights. The background is slightly blurred, suggesting motion.
The GR Corolla has a lot going for it from an enthusiast’s perspective.
Toyota

Never content to settle, the Japanese automaker has just announced an update for the GR Corolla that makes the hatch tougher and cooler than ever.

Motorsport-derived improvements

As Toyota has continued to campaign the GR Corolla in competition around the world, it has learned that the hot hatch has some room for improvement. Even though the car excels in the Super Taikyu Series, circuits overseas generate more intense vertical and lateral g-forces than Japan’s own. 

Car body frame with highlighted internal structural reinforcements and wiring pathways, shown in silver metal with red and purple lines, against a dark gray background. The roof panel is partially detached and lifted.
The red lines illustrate the adhesive used before the update, while the purple lines show the additional reinforcements.
Toyota

For this reason, Toyota has increased the amount of structural adhesive around the front of the body, the floor and the rear wheels (pictured in purple, above) such that it now measures 35.7 yards — over 15 yards more than before.

In practice, this results in a more durable car, bringing increased body rigidity with minimal weight penalty. From a performance standpoint, this translates to improved driver feedback and a more responsive ride.

But that’s not all. In addition to making the hatch tougher, Toyota also reworked the engine cooling. Thanks to the addition of a cool air duct to the secondary intake, the car can draw air directly from the front grille, reducing intake temperature and ensuring more reliable engine performance.

Cross-sectional diagram of a vehicle's cooling system showing airflow paths. Blue arrows indicate cool air entering and passing through the radiator and engine compartment. Orange arrows represent warm air exiting the system. A yellow outline highlights the air intake duct directing airflow into the system.
A secondary cooling duct in the intake helps to provide even cooler air at lower pressures.
Toyota

It’s a good thing, too — with 300 ponies and 295 lb-ft of torque coming from the 1.6-liter turbocharged triple, it packs plenty of punch at full power.

Silver Toyota GR Corolla hatchback driving on a curved road with its rear lights illuminated, set against a cloudy sky at dusk.
The GR Corolla was already a capable hatchback, and these updates only refined it.
Toyota

Improved audio, too

In addition to the more robust chassis construction and additional cooling provisions, Toyota is also giving its JDM GR Corolla a key cabin upgrade: better audio.

While it’s still a JBL system, there are now nine speakers thanks to the addition of a subwoofer in the trunk. 

Silver Toyota GR Corolla with a transparent roof and windows, showing the interior seating and dashboard. Blue sound wave graphics emanate from five speaker locations inside the car: two in the front doors, two near the front seats, and one in the rear. The car is positioned on a dark gradient background.
Toyota hasn’t forgotten the importance of a good audio system, even if engine noise is the best soundtrack.
Toyota

On one hand, this brings an improvement to the existing Active Noise Control (ANC) function that helps to reduce unwanted droning.

However, it also means that Toyota isn’t getting rid of its Active Sound Control (ASC) system. If you want to hear tuned pops and burbles, this is another hatch that offers a variety of faux engine noise settings.

A preview for other markets?

Even though this update is being launched in Japan, it’ll likely make its way to other GR Corolla markets before too long. Toyota tests its innovations at home before rolling them out around the rest of the world.

Moreover, given that the automaker is offering the car outside of a lottery in Japan for the first time, it’s clearly eager to grow the GR Corolla fan base. The updated model will go on sale in Japan starting November 3rd.

About the Author: Gray is an associate editor at Gear Patrol, covering cars, motorcycles and anything else with wheels. When he’s not chasing the latest industry news, he’s probably wrenching on one of many projects. For better or worse, he believes classics make perfectly practical daily drivers.

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