The Diabolical GR Corolla Banned in Europe
This page is translated from the original post "La diabolique GR Corolla interdite d’Europe" in French.
- 10/02/2025 9:45
This Toyota is hardly an Hypercar or a dangerous prototype. It’s simply a fantastic sports sedan.
Since its launch in 1966, the Toyota Corolla has marked automotive history, becoming the best-selling car worldwide. Synonymous with reliability and affordability, it has won over millions of drivers across generations. However, Toyota has also harnessed the sporty potential of this model with the launch of the GR Corolla, developed by TOYOTA GAZOO Racing (TGR). This variant, inspired by racing performance, combines robustness, dynamism, and driving pleasure.
First launched in 2022, the GR Corolla continues to evolve, benefiting from lessons learned in racing where it consistently secures top positions in Touring category. These experiences help improve key aspects like high-speed cornering grip, acceleration, and engine cooling. Now equipped with the new 8-speed automatic GR-DAT transmission, previously seen on the GR Yaris, this version aims to be even more versatile, both on track and in daily use.
According to Akio Toyoda, aka Master Driver Morizo, this evolution reflects a simple philosophy: to make driving exciting, whether on a racetrack or during a daily commute.
Exclusive to the Japanese Market
If this version promises exhilarating performance, it will not cross European borders. The reason: increasingly strict environmental standards in Europe. In France, for example, an eco-tax exceeding 70,000 euros would heavily penalize this model, making it economically unviable. This policy leads Toyota to restrict the GR Corolla to the Japanese market, where regulations are more lenient and the audience of sports car enthusiasts is larger.
The model features the SPORT Package, an option focused on a more refined and sporty interior. Additionally, the Circuit Mode functionality, activated via an app and GPS, optimizes performance by adjusting parameters such as turbo anti-lag and speed limiter. For current owners of the GR Corolla, Toyota offers upgrade kits to benefit from the innovations of this version.
This upgraded version of the GR Corolla reaffirms Toyota’s mission: to offer vehicles where passion and performance meet, even if that passion is now confined to certain markets.
Technical Sheet Toyota GR Corolla
| Model | GR-DAT (8AT / 4WD) | 6MT (4WD) |
|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | ||
| Length [mm] | 4,410 | 4,410 |
| Width [mm] | 1,850 | 1,850 |
| Height [mm] | 1,480 | 1,480 |
| Wheelbase [mm] | 2,640 | 2,640 |
| Track (front/rear) [mm] | 1,590 / 1,620 | 1,590 / 1,620 |
| Seating capacity | 5 | 5 |
| Weight [kg] | 1,500*4 | 1,480*4 |
| Engine | Type | Inline 3-cylinder turbo with intercooler | Same |
| Name | G16E-GTS | Same | Bore x stroke [mm] | 87.5 x 89.7 | Same | Displacement [liters] | 1.618 | Same |
| Max power [kW (hp)/rpm] | 224 (304) / 6,500 | Same |
| Max torque [Nm (kgf·m)/rpm] | 400 (40.8) / 3,250-4,600 | Same |
| WLTC Fuel consumption [km/L] | 10.8 | 12.4 |
| Transmission | Type | 8-speed automatic (GAZOO Racing) | 6-speed manual (iMT) |
| Gearbox ratio | See details in the document tables | Same for manual transmission |
| Final drive ratio (front/rear) | 3.329 / 2.277 | See specific table |
| All-wheel drive | GR-FOUR, with 3 selectable modes | Same |
| Differentials | Front | Torsen® LSD | Same | Rear | Torsen® LSD | Same |
| Suspension | Front | MacPherson strut | Same |
| Rear | Double triangulation | Same |
| Brakes | Front | Ventilated 18-inch discs with 4-piston opposed calipers | Same | Rear | Ventilated 16-inch discs with 2-piston opposed calipers | Same |
| Wheels | Forged BBS 8.5J (Black Metal Start Titan finish) | Same |
| Pneus (front/rear) | 235/40R18 (YOKOHAMA ADVAN APEX V601) | Same | Fuel tank capacity [liters] | 50 | 50 |
ALSO READ: Guilt-free fun with the Toyota GR Yaris hydrogen!
We also suggestthese articles:
Also read
