Toyota has announced updates for the raucous GR Corolla sport compact, aimed at making it even better to drive.
Lessons learned from racing in the Japanese Super Taikyu Series, along with days spent pounding the Nurburging Nordschleife circuit in Germany, have all contributed to the revised 2026 GR Corolla.
Toyota has also rationalized the GR Corolla model range, leaving just the base trim level and Premium Plus version.
Sales of the revised 2026 GR Corolla will start soon, with the first deliveries expected to take place this fall.
Racing improves the breed
Demonstrating the level of detail Toyota Gazoo Racing engineers went to, the 2026 GR Corolla has gained 45.6 feet of new structural adhesive in the front and rear sections of its body.
This is said to increase rigidity for sharper handling, along with improving grip at the rear of the hot hatchback.
Toyota says the extra strengthening has a minimal impact on curb weight, but brings more consistent steering feel and stable cornering.
Another important technical change is the installation of a high-rev-activated air duct for the secondary air intake. Drawing cold air directly from the front grille, it should reduce engine temperatures on extended track drives.
The rest of the turbocharged 2.0-liter three-cylinder engine remains unchanged, with outputs of 300 horsepower and 295 lb-ft of torque.
GR Corolla buyers can choose between a six-speed manual transmission or an eight-speed automatic. All versions come with the rally-developed GR-Four all-wheel-drive system, combined with front and rear Torsen limited-slip differentials.
In dealerships this fall
A further change for the 2026 model year is the addition of a subwoofer for the JBL Premium sound system.
Standard on the GR Corolla Premium Plus model, the nine-speaker setup also comes with Active Sound Control. This produces “sporty sounds”, depending on the level of acceleration.
Prices for the base 2026 GR Corolla start at $39,920 for the six-speed manual, with the automatic version commanding an extra $2,000.
The top-level GR Corolla Premium Plus costs $45,965 in manual guise, or $47,965 with an automatic transmission.
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