Together with another two GR Toyota cars and two ‘GR Sport’ cars, the 2023 Toyota GR Corolla has finally been launched in Malaysia, with a price tag of RM355,000. Made for the hardcore Toyota enthusiast, the GR Corolla is available with a six-speed manual only. Launched together with the GR Corolla today are the all-new GR86, the manual GR Supra, the Hilux GR Sport, and Corolla Cross GR Sport.
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The closest thing we’ve ever had to the GR Corolla in Malaysia before this is the Corolla Altis sedan. You may have seen the non-GR hatchback version of the Corolla in Malaysia as there are some grey market units here. In terms of dimensions, the hatchback GR Corolla measures 4,410 mm in length, 1,850 mm in width, and 1,455 mm in height (excluding the antenna). The hatchback has a 2,640 mm wheelbase, which is 40 mm shorter than the regular sedan version.
Compared to the regular hatchback version of the Corolla, the GR Corolla is 30 mm wider at the front and rear fenders, producing an overall broader stance. The front end looks very familiar, but a lot more aggressive thanks to the GR front bumper, a different hood with air vents, and a sportier headlight cluster. For lighter weight, the roof is made of forged carbon fibre.
Wheels are 18-inch cast alloys all around and they get the 15-spoke design with a gloss black finish. Pre-equipped on the GR Corolla are a set of 235/40R18 Yokohama ADVAN Apex tyres. Behind the wheels are 4-pot callipers in front and 2-pot callipers in the rear. As for suspension, it’s a MacPherson strut setup at the front and a double wishbone setup in the rear.
RELATED: 2023 Toyota GR86 launched in Malaysia – 6MT and 6AT options, from RM295k
Powering the car is a G16E-GTS 1.6-litre inline-3 turbocharged engine that makes 304 hp (metric) at 6,500 rpm and 370 Nm at 3,000-5,550 rpm. Essentially evolved from the GR Yaris’ 1.6-litre engine, the GR Corolla’s mill has been improved in terms of engine exhaust efficiency to achieve a higher output.
The engine is paired with a 6-speed manual transmission and power is sent to all wheels via the GR-FOUR 4WD system. The driveline features an electronic multi-plate clutch that offers 3 selectable modes. There’s a limited-slip differential (LSD) for the front wheels and another one for the rear wheels.
RELATED: Toyota GR Supra now with 6-speed manual in Malaysia, from RM645k
Inside, the GR Corolla has a very familiar layout, albeit given the GR treatment. There’s a GR steering wheel, a full TFT meter that has been developed exclusively for GR models, GR bucket seats, a short-stroke shift lever, and the good old hand-operated parking brake.
Despite the craziness of it all, safety is still a top priority in the GR Corolla. The car comes equipped with Toyota Safety Sense advanced driver assistance systems. It’s an amazing start to the year for Toyota in Malaysia with the launch of the GR Corolla, all-new GR86, manual GR Supra, Hilux GR Sport, and Corolla Cross GR Sport.
RELATED: 2023 Toyota Corolla Cross GR Sport launched – sports suspension, 18-inch GR wheels, from RM142k
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