Toyota just made a call nobody saw coming: the rear seats are gone, and the wildest GR Corolla yet got even wilder. The new GRMN didn’t gain a single extra horsepower — instead, it got lighter, stiffer, and built to survive hours on a race track without flinching.
The turbocharged 1.6-liter three-cylinder still makes 300 hp — Toyota apparently decided the horsepower race wasn’t the point here. Torque, though, climbs from 400 to 410 Nm in U.S. spec. The only gearbox on offer remains the six-speed “manual” with automatic rev-matching, while the GR-FOUR all-wheel-drive system gets its own dedicated electronic tuning.
The biggest change isn’t under the hood at all. Toyota ripped out the rear bench, turning the Corolla into a strict two-seat hatchback and cutting roughly 30 kg — down to 1,460 kg. The hood, front fenders, aero add-ons and adjustable rear wing are now carbon fiber.
The suspension gets monotube dampers with internal rebound springs. Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 semi-slicks in a 245/40 size wrap 18-inch forged wheels. An extra radiator, an intercooler spray system and dedicated ducting are there to keep temperatures in check when the car is pushed hard for extended stretches at speed.
In spirit, the GRMN sits close to the hardest-core versions of the Honda Civic Type R and Volkswagen Golf R. But Toyota goes further than either of them: it sacrifices rear seats and everyday usability for lower weight and track stability. Cup 2 tires, limited practicality and pricey carbon parts are a price not everyone will want to pay. This car isn’t for everyone, and Toyota knows it.
Toyota has officially confirmed the numbers: $64,360 and just 730 units worldwide. Sales are strictly limited to North America, Japan and Australia, with deliveries starting toward the end of summer.
