Move over Honda Civic Type R, the 2023 Toyota GR Corolla is here! The GR Corolla is the Japanese automaker’s latest addition to the Gazoo Racing family and it brings a boatload of power, performance, and practicality to the hot hatch table. Here is everything you need to know about its recent debut.

The 2023 Toyota GR Corolla was born on the race track

In case you’re unaware of what Gazoo Racing means to the Toyota brand, here’s a small history lesson. Back in 2007, Toyota decided to compete in the 24 Hour Nürburgring endurance race, which was held on the famous racetrack in Germany. In order to compete, they formed an unofficial race team that consisted of employees including Akio Toyoda himself – who raced under the alias “Morizo.” That team was called GAZOO Racing.

The team was able to finish the race on a limited budget using two second-hand Altezzas. But in the end, it wasn’t about the race, it was about Toyota advancing its product development throughout the years. And that development led to the creation of the 2023 GR Corolla.

The Toyota GR Corolla will be available in two different grades

The 2023 GR Corolla will be available in two different grades: Core and Circuit Edition. The Core Grade will be available in white, red, or black. It will come with a rear lip spoiler, GR-Four rocker panels, and wide fender flares.

The Circuit Edition ups the styling ante with a forged carbon-fiber roof, vented hood, Brin Naub suede seats, and an exclusive Morizo-signed shift knob. This special edition will only be available in limited numbers and will come in white, Supersonic Red, or an exclusive Heavy Metal color. Technically, it’s silver.

The GR Corolla is powered by a turbocharged three-cylinder engine

That’s right, the 2023 GR Corolla is powered by a turbocharged 1.6-liter, three-cylinder engine that produces a whopping 300 hp and 273 lb-ft of torque. That tiny engine not only packs a massive punch but it’s also mated to an enthusiast-pleasing six-speed manual transmission that automatically rev matches downshifts.

Don’t worry, an automatic transmission is not available. So there won’t be any CVTs or launch gears found on this car. Also, the engine flows out to a three-piece muffler that arguably looks better than the one found on the Civic Type R.

There will also be an all-wheel drivetrain connected to that powerful setup. In fact, the GR-Four All-Wheel-Drive drivetrain doesn’t just spin all four wheels, it also allows the driver to choose between different power distribution configurations. According to Toyota, drivers can select between a 60:40, 50:50, or 30:70 front and rear distribution depending on their driving needs.

The GR Corolla’s exterior enhancements are real

When the teaser images for the GR Corolla appeared, we couldn’t help but wonder if the side vents would be functional or not. Good news, they are! The GR Corolla’s exterior vents and other aerodynamic features are meant to “further support steering stability,” Toyota notes. Additionally, the hot hatchback will be built on Toyota’s GA-C platform and assembled in the Motomachi plant in Japan. The same place where legends like the Lexus LF-A and A80 Supra were born.

As for the rest of the chassis, the GR Corolla’s suspension sports a MacPherson-type strut design in addition to circuit-tuned coil springs, shock absorbers, and stabilizer bars. The rear suspension uses a multi-link, double-wishbone design to compliment the car’s AWD setup and provide maximum stability.

As for braking duties, Toyota slapped on 14-inch vented and slotted rotors outfitted with four-piston calipers in the front. In the rear, the GR Corolla sports 11-inch brake rotors and two-piston calipers.

The GR Corolla has a race-inspired but practical interior

On the inside, the 2023 GR Corolla has a “race-inspired” interior that looks a lot like the one you can find in the regular Corolla Hatchback, but better. Sitting in front of the driver is a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster that displays pertinent information like a GR meter, boost pressure, and gear indicator.

The seats are made from a mix of suede and leather with red contrast stitching and red inserts for that racing feel. Unsurprisingly, you can also find red trim around the door panels, center console, and steering wheel. After all, red equals “performance.”

As far as other creature comforts, the GR Corolla will come standard with auto climate control and all of the power amenities. The Circuit Edition will also come with heated seats and a heated steering wheel. However, those features will be available as an option on the Core Edition as well.

The GR Corolla may be a streetworthy race car, but it’s not stripped of its tech by any means. Both models will come with an 8-inch touch-screen infotainment system with voice-activated commands. There will also be a cloud-based navigation system onboard and don’t worry, Apple Carplay and Android Auto are also standard.

A JBL premium audio system will be standard on the Circuit Edition, but available in the Technology package for the Core model.

How much with the 2023 Toyota GR Corolla cost?

Pricing will be announced soon. But Toyota did say that the GR Corolla Core Grade will be available later this year and the Circuit Edition should be on sale in 2023. Buyers will also receive a one-year membership to the National Auto Sport Association (NASA) so that they can fine-tune their driving skills on the track (with an instructor) – which is where this car really belongs.

We’re excited that the 2023 GR Corolla has finally been revealed and we can’t wait to get into the driver’s seat when it’s available for the press. From what we can tell so far, it’s definitely going to give cars like the Honda Civic Type R and Hyundai Veloster N a good run for their money.