The Toyota GR Corolla officially launched on our shores in December last year, and since then we got to test it out on track for a quick lap around the Clark International Speedway—which you can read about here—and got a chance to live with it for a couple of days for a full review. And man, is it special.
The rally-derived hot hatch has a 1.6-liter turbocharged three-cylinder engine mated to a six-speed manual or an eight-speed automatic. It’s rated at 296hp and 400Nm of torque and sends power to all four wheels. But where the car really impresses is in its handling. The hatchback is incredibly stable at speed and so easy to corner thanks to its GR-Four system and limited-slip differential.
Out of the box, the GR Corolla is already a capable and aggressive-looking machine, but did you know it has a lot of aftermarket support, too? A look through this year’s Tokyo Auto Salon will have you thinking of increasing that budget if you’re already in the market for this particular hot hatch. Here are some examples from various Japanese aftermarket companies that showed up at the event.
OTHER STORIES YOU MIGHT HAVE MISSED:
Auction finds: Would you bid on a flooded 1991 Honda NSX?
This Mazda RX-7 raffle has a lifesaving cause behind it
1) SARD GR Corolla
This GR Corolla by SARD features a generation-two GT1 Performance Aero kit with various carbon fiber bits, including a GT spoiler. The car uses SARD prototype suspension and sits on 18-inch Enkei NVR5 wheels wrapped in 265/35R18 Bridgestone Potenza tires.
2) WorksBell SRD GR COROLLA
The WorksBell SRD GR Corolla main highlight is inside the cabin. WorksBell developed a kit to replace the stock steering wheel with a racing wheel while still providing access to the original switches for daily use. If you’re curious about the wheels, they’re 18-inch Advan Racing RG-4s with 265/35R18 Yokohama A052 tires.
3) Autoway GR Corolla
Autoway is a tire distributor, and for its GR Corolla, it has fitted semi-slick Nankang CR-S tires on bronze-painted Mid Racing R06 wheels. The rest of the car is fitted with a Result Japan 3P aero set.
4) A’pexi GR Corolla
Performance parts manufacturer A’pexi takes the philosophy of enjoying speed and fun from the streets to the circuit. Its GR Corolla uses an A’pexi N1 Evolution exhaust system and A’pexi N1 Evolution shock absorbers. The wheels are 18-inch BBS R-IA with 265/35R18 Bridgestone Potenza tires.
5) EX KeePer-coated GR Corolla
KeePer Giken is a car-care specialist and used the GR Corolla to showcase its EX KeePer coating. If bodykits aren’t your thing, this build gives you an idea of how clean and carshow-worthy your hatchback can look with a good paint coating.
6) GR Corolla Kouki Arising-1 by Varis
Now, here’s a pretty familiar brand. Varis has reached global recognition for its motorsport-inspired aero parts and bodykits. Its GR Corolla features the company’s Kouki Arising-1 bodykit fitted with Varis x iMLA wheels on Bridgestone Potenza tires.
7) Project Mu GR Corolla
Project Mu is a performance brake manufacturer and showcased its caliper kit behind aftermarket 18-inch wheels. The front uses Project Mu’s FSA6 calipers while the rear uses FSA2. The wheels are Rays CE28N-Plus wrapped in 265/35R18 Bridgestone Potenza tires.
8) Lexon Exclusive GR Corolla
Last on this list is the Lexon Exclusive GR Corolla. Lexon is a parts manufacturing company that specializes in Lexus and Toyota vehicles. Its entry at the Tokyo Auto Salon showcases its ‘Lexon Exclusive’ bodykit featuring a front lip, side splitters, rear-side splitters, and a rear wing, all made with forged carbon.
If you made it this far, which build did you like the most? Let us know in the comments section.
