A big facelift update for the Toyota GR Corolla was only just launched earlier this year in Japan. However, true to Toyota’s Kaizen philosophy of continuous improvement, the team isn’t stopping there, and has now introduced yet another update to the famed hot hatch in its home country.
Learning from its motorsport experience in Japan’s Super Taikyu Series, Toyota Gazoo Racing is now improving the GR Corolla’s body structure and cooling systems, helping it handle demanding track days without breaking a sweat.
As part of the latest upgrade package, the Toyota GR Corolla in Japan now has 32.7 meters of structural adhesive ― 13.9 meters more than the existing model. Applied mainly to the front body, floor, and rear wheel well areas, this upgrade is said to increase rigidity while reducing weight, helping the car withstand intense vertical and lateral g-forces typical of racing circuits.
Next, a high-engine-speed-activated cool air duct has been added to the secondary intake duct. Drawing air directly from the front grille, Toyota says this new duct lowers air intake temperatures, helping maintain stable engine performance even during continuous full-throttle driving.
Aside from performance upgrades, the JBL premium sound system in the GR Corolla has also been improved. It now features a new subwoofer in the boot for clearer and more powerful lower frequencies, alongside a new optimised Active Noise Control (ANC) system to reduce unwanted noise.
At the same time, the system also adds Active Sound Control (ASC) — a system that produces artificial engine sounds through the speakers for a sportier feel. It also produces artificial “burbles” when lifting off the accelerator. The ASC system offers three sound profiles for each drive mode and three volume levels, including the ability to turn it off completely for those who dislike artificial engine noise.
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For existing GR Corolla owners from 2023, a software-inclusive upgrade program is now being developed. This new update will raise the car’s torque figures from 370 Nm to 400 Nm — on par with the facelift GR Corolla that launched this year in Japan.
The GR-FOUR all-wheel drive (AWD) control system will also be updated with new modes. Previously, “REAR” mode sent 30% of power to the front wheels and 70% to the rear. It’s now replaced by “GRAVEL” mode, which splits power evenly at 50:50. Meanwhile, “TRACK” mode, which used to be fixed at 50:50, will now let you adjust power between the front and rear wheels anywhere from 60:40 to 30:70, respectively.
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Apart from these upgrades, performance figures for the Toyota GR Corolla in Japan remain unchanged. It continues to feature the same 1.6-litre three-cylinder turbocharged engine producing 304 hp and 400 Nm of torque, with power sent to all four wheels via either an eight-speed automatic or six-speed manual transmission.
Pricing for the updated 2025 Toyota GR Corolla also remains the same: JPY 5.68 million (approx. RM162k) for the six-speed manual and JPY 5.98 million (approx. RM170k) for the eight-speed automatic. Orders are now open in Japan, with sales set to begin on 8 November.
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