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Auto Blog
a day ago
- Automotive
- Auto Blog
Is a GRMN Corolla on the Horizon? Toyota Teases a More Powerful, Track-Focused Hot Hatch
Toyota's motorsport division, Gazoo Racing, turned the otherwise basic Corolla into the fiercest five-door you can buy. And the best may still be yet to come. A recent interview suggests Toyota's hottest hatch might get hotter The GR Corolla has had a pretty warm reception since debuting back in 2023, but the automaker hasn't rested on its laurels. Continuous improvements for the 2024 model year include new exterior paints and lightweight wheels for the Circuit Edition, as well as the addition of a quick-shifting eight-speed automatic transmission and increased torque for the 2025 model year. According to the car's Chief Engineer, Naoyuki Sakamoto, more power may be coming to the car soon. That is, if they can prevent the test vehicles from breaking for long enough to put the power down. Previous Pause Next Unmute 0:00 / 0:09 Audi A5 replaces A4: So, what's changed? Watch More 2025 Toyota GR Corolla 2025 Toyota GR Corolla 2025 Toyota GR Corolla Finding power hasn't been easy with the GR Corolla, but Toyota seems determined In an interview with Motor1, Naoyuki Sakamoto talks about the trials and tribulations of optimizing the GR Corolla's turbocharged three-cylinder engine. 'We tried to increase engine power with the TCR Corolla,' he starts, referring to the race version of the GR Corolla, 'then we broke [the car].' Testing the car extensively at California's Sonoma Raceway, so far, hasn't yielded results that the automaker is happy with. 'Hopefully, we can come to a measure to increase power, and eventually, with that planning, it can come to the production Corolla,' Sakamoto told the publication. It's an interesting policy shift for the automaker that has generally avoided adding power to even its sportiest offerings. The GR Supra saw a power bump after the first year of production, from 335 to 382 horsepower, but that was over five years ago. The GR86's engine continues to make 228 horsepower, as it has since the current generation debuted back in 2022. One potential reason for this is that the GR Corolla (and elsewhere in the world, GR Yaris) is, interestingly, the only GR offering that actually uses a Toyota-built powertrain. The former borrows an inline-six from BMW, while the latter uses a Subaru boxer. Toyota GR Corolla Development Vehicle Toyota GR Corolla Development Vehicle The GR Corolla is quick, but it's all relative, as the car makes less power than its rivals Although the 300-horsepower GR Corolla is certainly no slouch, competitors bring the heat, too. The Civic Type R, arguably the GR Corolla's closest rival, makes 315 horsepower and 310 pound-feet of torque. The Type R's platform-mate, the Acura Integra Type S, makes 320 horsepower. The Golf R makes 328 horsepower and 310 pound-feet of torque. Notice a trend? There are also rumors of an even toastier version of the GR Corolla, the GRMN Corolla, but rumors of a similar GRMN Supra have persisted nearly as long as the car's current generation with no follow-through. That said, that car didn't use a Toyota engine. Autoblog Newsletter Autoblog brings you car news; expert reviews and exciting pictures and video. Research and compare vehicles, too. Sign up or sign in with Google Facebook Microsoft Apple By signing up I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy . You may unsubscribe from email communication at anytime. Final thoughts Whether Toyota is cooking up a spicy GRMN Corolla or just looking to dial things up a bit on the regular GR Corolla we know and love, it's a win for enthusiasts. Don't forget, back in February, we learned that Toyota is sticking with ICE and manuals indefinitely, which means R&D spent on the GR Corolla's three-cylinder is, potentially, a long-term investment. It's all good news here — and we can't wait to see what's next for Toyota's rowdy little hatchback. About the Author Steven Paul View Profile
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Yahoo
1 dead, 3 hospitalized in head-on car crash in Napa
(KRON) – A head-on car crash killed one man and left three people hospitalized, according to the California Highway Patrol in Napa. Around 4:38 p.m. on Friday, CHP was alerted to a two-vehicle collision involving a 2024 Toyota Venza and a 2011 Lexus RX450 on California Highway 121, north of CA Highway 37 near the Sonoma Raceway. According to CHP, multiple witnesses observed a solo male driver of the Toyota traveling southbound on Highway 121, and a female driver of the Lexus with two minor passengers driving northbound. The Toyota crossed over the double-yellow lines and crashed into the Lexus in a head-on collision, CHP said. Driver in stolen car crashes into 4 vehicles evading CHP, gun recovered The Toyota caught fire after the collision. The driver of the Toyota was a man who was pronounced dead at a Napa hospital at 5:36 p.m. on Friday. The driver of the Lexus was a mother with her two children, a 15-year-old son and an 11-year-old daughter. According to CHP, only one child was wearing a seatbelt. The mother was transported to a Napa hospital for major injuries. The children were transported by helicopters to the Oakland Children's Hospital for major injuries. CHP said it is unclear if drugs or alcohol were involved in this collision. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
