Toyota confirms two-seat GR Corolla for Australia

Turbocharged, four-wheel-drive hatchback promises to snatch up territory vacated by the cancellation of Ford’s Focus RS and Subaru’s STI.

Toyota GR Corolla two-seater.

Toyota Australia has snatched up the turbocharged baton dropped by rivals such as Ford, Subaru and Renault that stopped building affordable track cars.

The best-selling manufacturer has locked in an Australian introduction of a hardcore version of the Toyota GR Corolla, one that takes an extreme approach to performance optimisation.

The new GR Corolla promises to be a trackday weapon.

Borrowing from the discontinued Renault Megane RS Trophy R, the most focused version of the Corolla has rear doors but no back seats, ditching passenger accommodation in favour of a racing harness bar and storage space for spare wheels.

Toyota’s GR Corolla two-seater is a hardcore machine.

Like the final iteration of Ford’s Focus RS, it has the sort of track-ready Michelin “Cup” tyres normally reserved for supercars.

Toyota took a page from Subaru’s dearly-missed WRX STI by ramping up performance from its turbocharged three-cylinder engine – its 224kW/400Nm maximums represent a 30Nm increase – along with a revised six-speed manual transmission with closer gear ratios.

The lack of a back seat allows drivers to easily transport racing tyres.

It has a stronger body shell, fresh suspension with less ground clearance, and lightweight BBS alloy wheels with wider tyres.

Track-day regulars will appreciate Toyota’s decision to combine huge brakes with 18-inch wheels, giving amateur racers access to a broad range of circuit-friendly tyres that do not fit large-diameter rims.

Like a track-focused Porsche or BMW, it also gets bucket seats and a steering wheel trimmed in racecar-like ultrasuede material.

Wide bodywork and triple exhaust outlets are part of the GR Corolla package.

Toyota has not confirmed local prices for the two-seat GR Corolla – or whether the local model will wear the “Morizo” badge found on Japanese versions of the car.

But we do know that is locked in for a local debut in 2023, arriving in limited numbers for committed enthusiasts.

The wild machine has four doors, but only two seats.

While Subaru, Ford and Renault shelved plans to offer track-focused versions of affordable performance cars, Toyota Australia executive Sean Hanley says his brand is ready to welcome enthusiasts.

“The introduction of GR Corolla to Australia demonstrates Toyota’s commitment to continue delivering exciting new vehicles, with racing DNA at their core,” he said.

The Corolla shares its engine with the Toyota GR Yaris Rallye.

“With its increased torque and lighter weight, the new two-seater GR Corolla, will enhance the GR brand even further by offering performance enthusiasts an even more focused version of our new hot hatch.”

Toyota’s GR Corolla will sit alongside the two-door GR Yaris in a growing performance car range that includes the new Toyota 86 coupe and a reworked Supra with a manual transmission.