2023 Toyota GR Corolla: 300 HP AWD Hot Hatch

It’s official, the powerful, stylish, and agile hot hatch Canadian drivers are looking for is on its way, the first ever 2023 GR Corolla. With the detail-obsessed TOYOTA GAZOO Racing team at the helm, and master driver Akio Toyoda, a.k.a. MORIZO, signing off on approval, this all-new addition to Toyota’s growing lineup of sports cars brings the performance, handling, and functionality that hot hatch fans love.

Powered by the lightweight, compact-yet-powerful G16E-GTS turbo charged, direct/port injected three-cylinder engine, GR Corolla delivers 300 hp and 273 lb.-ft. of torque. Engineered for snappy acceleration out of the corners, output hits peak torque at 3000-5500 rpm, with max horsepower coming at 6500 rpm. Its thrill inducing power is piped through a unique triple exhaust that’s designed to reduce back-pressure for maximum power delivery.

The G16-E engine is paired with Toyota’s rally developed GR Four All-Wheel-Drive (AWD) powertrain. This system gives drivers a choice of 60-40, 50-50, or 30-70 power distribution to the front and rear wheels. GR Corolla will be offered exclusively in a manual transmission, staying true to its hands-on rally racing roots.

Its broad hatch profile and low centre of gravity are built on Toyota’s GA-C platform, with enhanced frame reinforcements developed specifically for GR Corolla at GR Factory at Toyota Motomachi plant. Functional exterior air vents and aerodynamic features further support steering stability.

GR Corolla will come in two grades, Core and Circuit Edition.

The Core Grade will be available later this year in white, black, and Supersonic Red. It will have a colour keyed roof with rear lip spoiler, GR Four stamped side rockers, and wide-fender flares. On the inside, seating for five will come with GR logoed fabric sport seats.

The Circuit Edition will be a limited-run model available in 2023. Standard colours are white, Supersonic Red and Heavy Metal with the same GR Four stamped side rockers and wide fenders as the Core. It adds a forged carbon fibre roof, vented bulge hood, and a sporty rear spoiler. Brin Naub suede-trimmed sport seats with red accents, and a launch-year-exclusive Morizo signed shift knob.

Both grades will come equipped with an all-new Toyota Multimedia System with touchscreen. Toyota’s Safety Sense 3.0 (TSS 3.0) system will also come standard.

Pricing will be announced later this year.