We drive the most hardcore Toyota Corolla ever: The GR Morizo Edition

After decades as a brand known for smart, non-aggressive cars, with models like the Camry and Prius spearheading it, Toyota has been doing a bit of a reinvention lately. The brand’s roots in motorsport go back to its commitment to rallying in the early 1970s. Recently, the company has been keen to recapture some of its racing spirit.

The first evidence is a joint partnership with Subaru to develop the Scion FR-S (later known as the Toyota 86, now the second-generation GR86) and a recent collaboration with BMW for the Supra and its Bavarian version, Z4. After building his Yaris, the sensational GR, the gear head of Toyota’s performance-focused Gazoo Racing division turned to the Corolla, a far cry from the stable machine we’ve come to associate with its name. became.

Lowered, wider and boosted, with a sophisticated all-wheel drive system and many other performance features, the GR Corolla pays homage to Toyota’s glory days in the World Rally Championship. I’m aiming straight for the hot hatch. Such as Honda Civic Type R and Volkswagen Golf R. To mark its introduction, Toyota also unveiled his two special edition models. The Circuit Edition includes optional performance hardware on the Core base model, as well as a forged carbon roof and heat extractor. A hood and some aesthetic upgrades, and this is the Morizo ​​Edition.

Limited to just 200 units worldwide in 2023 (and probably ever) and named after former Toyota CEO Akio Toyoda’s racing pseudonym, the Morizo ​​Edition is the most hardcore and track-tuned. This is the GR Corolla. It may not be the ideal choice for everyone looking to buy a GR Corolla, but it’s definitely great that you’re on the right track.

Morizou

Since the Morizo ​​Edition is derived from the GR Corolla Core, it would be necessary to first explain how the core differs from the conventional Corolla.

The engineering difference is pretty dramatic, as the aggressive bodywork suggests. At the front, there’s a unique grille with a huge intake for fueling and cooling the turbocharged engine, while bulging fenders increase the car’s width by 2.4 inches (61 mm) to reduce the width. It creates the space you need to install wide wheels and tires. A front splitter and rear spoiler are also on hand to improve the car’s aerodynamic stability, while the hood and front door panels are made of aluminum to save weight. The Corolla’s platform has also been strengthened thanks to additional weld points and structural adhesives.

Most of these upgrades were necessitated by a turbocharged 1.6 L 3-cylinder powerplant located in the GR Corolla’s engine bay. The spirited Mill puts out an impressive 300 hp (224 kW) and 273 lb-ft (370 Nm) of torque in core and circuit trim, while the Morizo ​​Edition makes his 295 lb-ft (400 Nm) increases torque. For some software tweaks. Every GR Corolla uses a 6-speed manual transmission with automatic rev matching, and his 4 wheels through a new all-wheel drive system that can achieve 60:40, 30:70 or 50:50 front braking. Send torque to all. Torque split to the rear, depending on the mode selected.

To allow the GR Corolla’s reflexes to keep up with its newfound power, the suspension has been performance-tuned, consisting of MacPherson struts in the nose of the car and double wishbones in the rear. It consists of springs, dampers and stabilizer bars. In addition, a 4-piston caliper with 14-inch (356 mm) ventilated discs is fitted at the front and a 2-piston unit with 11.7-inch (297 mm) ventilated discs.