Global motorsport and the civilian automotive industry have once again converged at a single point. Toyota has unveiled a new, even more radical modification of its cult hot hatch — the GRMN version. This car is the result of the work of the Gazoo Racing division, whose main goal in its creation was to achieve maximum efficiency on the legendary Nürburgring racing track.

Aggressive Look and Carbon Exterior

Visually, the novelty immediately declares its serious intentions. The car received an aggressive aerodynamic body kit made of carbon fiber, which not only adorns the body but also performs important functional tasks. Engineers equipped the GRMN with a ventilated hood with an additional air intake and front fenders with ventilation holes above the wheel arches. A large adjustable rear wing is installed on the trunk lid.

All these changes are designed to increase downforce at high speeds and ensure effective cooling of the engine and braking system, which is critical for dynamic track driving.

Interior: Compromise for Weight

To reduce the overall weight of the car, engineers took a radical step — they removed the rear row of seats. This turns the GRMN into a two-seater race car. New sport seats are installed in the front. In particular, the Japanese version of the model received real racing seats with pronounced side support.

Special attention was paid to interior details. The dashboard is trimmed with suede and decorated with an embroidered "Morizo" signature — this is the racing pseudonym of Akio Toyoda, Chairman of the Board of Toyota, who personally oversees the Gazoo Racing project.

Technical Specifications and Chassis

Under the hood of the GRMN Corolla remains the familiar 1.6-liter three-cylinder turbocharged G16E-GTS engine. However, its specifications have been revised: power is 304 hp, and maximum torque has increased from 400 to 415 Nm. To ensure stable engine operation on the track, a liquid spray system on the intercooler was introduced. The only available transmission is a 6-speed manual gearbox.

The chassis has also undergone serious modifications. The car is equipped with specially tuned adjustable monotube shock absorbers, an upgraded all-wheel-drive system, and retuned steering. For better grip, wider Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tires sized 245/40 ZR18 are used.

Weight Reduction and Sales Plans

Thanks to a complex of modifications and the removal of unnecessary elements, the car's weight was reduced by 30 kg — to 1,450 kg. Despite ambitious goals, Toyota has not yet revealed the exact Nürburgring lap time for this model.

Orders for the Toyota GRMN Corolla will start in autumn 2026, with the first deliveries to customers planned for 2027. The production run of the model will be limited, although the manufacturer has not yet named the exact number of units.

Morizo RR Prototype

Along with the production version, the company demonstrated the GR Corolla Morizo RR prototype. It is built on the same platform but features unique design elements and is equipped with an 8-speed automatic Gazoo Racing Direct transmission, making it a unique experiment within the lineup.