2023 Toyota GR Corolla: Get to know the power-packed Japanese hot hatch better

If you somehow missed it, Toyota revealed the all-new 2023 GR Corolla a few days back. And since its arrival, the Japanese hot performance hatch has been making a lot of noise among driving enthusiasts. Why? It offers something that very few cars bring to the table these days: a turbocharged mill paired with a three-pedal manual gearbox, sending drive to all four wheels.

Continue reading, and by the end, you'll have a better understanding of this fascinating creature that has been in the making since 2018.

2023 Toyota GR Corolla: 5 things to know

More potent than the GR Yaris

Powering the new GR Corolla is the G16E-GTS 1.6-litre inline-three turbocharged engine found in the GR Yaris. However, it is now tuned to churn out enhanced power and torque outputs, i.e.300 hp and 370 Nm. That's almost a 40 hp and 10 Nm hike over the already crazy-powerful GR Yaris.

The mill is kept cool via the grill openings, which are huge compared to the stock Corolla. The vents direct the air through, and there is a thin intake for slow speed, and there's another duct that opens at higher rpm to bring more air to the powertrain.

Also Read: New Toyota GR Yaris selling out quickly in Malaysia

Features a triple-exhaust setup

One of the most attractive design aspects of the new GR Corolla is its triple-exhaust setup that Toyota says exists to reduce back pressure and noise; however, it is for more horses.

Goes from daily driving to dynamic in a twist

All the 300 hp of power pumped by the GR Corolla's turbo engine goes to the ground via the brand's GR Four all-wheel-drive system. It is designed with rallying in mind and is finely tuned by Toyota Gazoo Racing drivers and engineers. The system features a selectable power distribution, meaning with just a twist of a dial, the car can go from a 60:40 front-to-rear torque distribution (for daily driving) to a 50:50 split (for max stability) and even to a 30:70 distribution (for dynamic driving).

The GR Corolla can be upgraded with Torsen limited-slip differentials on both axles as part of the Performance Package. This will help optimise lateral torque distribution for better grip.

It is stiffer and lighter

The GR Corolla's chassis is reinforced; it gets 349 more welds, 2.7 meters more sealant, and more glue. To make room for the differential, the floor is different at the back, and the battery is also moved to the back for better weight distribution. In addition, the car's springs, dampers, and stabilizer bars are upgraded for a more circuit-turned performance.

Toyota has made the car lighter in design and stiffer by incorporating certain revisions like a carbon roof, one-piece front fender, bolt-on rear extensions, and front suspension geometry with a new connecting point. Further, the car is now 15 mm taller and 64 mm wider.

Toyota Safety Sense 3.0 driver aid tech is standard

The hot hatch comes standard with Toyota Safety Sense 3.0 driver aid tech that rolls in lane departure alerts, pre-collision alerts with pedestrian and motorcyclist detection, lane tracing steering assist, automatic high beams, etc.

What else? The GR Corolla also comes standard with radar-based adaptive cruise control, an 8-inch version of Toyota's Audio Multimedia infotainment, and a 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster (shows selected AWD mode, turbo pressure, and tachometer), Apple CarPlay & Android Auto, and multi charging ports.

Additional update 

There is an up-spec Circuit Edition

Yes. The 2023 Toyota GR Corolla will be offered in two grades - Core and Circuit Edition. The latter has a limited production run of 1,500 units only.

It comes standard with several upgrades and a more aggressive exterior than the Core trim. In addition, the automaker's Heavy Metal satin finish is exclusive to the Circuit Edition, and customers can choose it in either white or Supersonic Red shade.

So, tell us was the 2023 Toyota GR Corolla able to impress you? If not, we'd ask you to tell us why?

Also Read: Toyota Corolla Cross launched in Indonesia; will Malaysia be next?