2024 Toyota

Unfortunately, few of us know what this car is capable of, because it never officially came to market in the UK. Until now, thanks to Duke’s Quality Motors.

So, what is it?

Unveiled in 2023 as Toyota Gazoo Racing’s big brother to the GR Yaris, the GR Corolla announces itself as the hot hatch that’s fun for you, plus passengers with back legs. While legroom is a much appreciated inclusion, that is – obviously – not the GR Corolla’s centrepiece.

Instead, let’s focus on what makes it a formidable backroad blaster. It features a highly-praised 1.6-litre three-cylinder turbocharged engine that produces 300 bph and 273 lb-ft. of torque, pushing this to all four wheels via front and rear Torsen limited-slip differentials and a six-speed manual transmission for pure, unadulterated driving pleasure.

Further enhancing the car’s capabilities includes race-bred suspension tuning and the ability to send power to the right wheels depending on your circumstances. Yes, that means Track Mode. Yes, that means less traction (and much more action).

The mechanics are coupled with styling that turns this car from the parent’s get-a-bout, and into the naughty school kid that’s been plied with one too many skittles: a forged carbon fibre roof, a vented bonnet with functional cooling ducts, gloss-black high-mount rear spoiler and GR-Four stamped side rockers, ten-spoke 18-inch forged alloy BBS wheels with 14-inch ventilated/slotted front rotors with four-piston red-painted callipers and 11.7-inch ventilated rear rotors with two-piston red-painted callipers tucked behind them, and more.

Inside the cabin you’ll find your modern conveniences such as heated front seats, a heated steering wheel, and a wireless smartphone charger, alongside GR Corolla-specific toys like the aforementioned drive mode selector and LSD program, and swathes of ultra-grippy Brin Naub® suede strategically designed to keep you secure when playing around with the drive modes.

Gazoo Racing DevelopmentThe Gazoo Racing department is much more than a badge. Its work on the GR Corolla commenced during Japan’s Super Taikyu endurance racing series, putting race cars through their paces before deciding how to dial this down for everyday road-going use.Racing the chassis exposed weak points under high cornering forces, resulting in GR engineers increasing the road car’s rigidity for planted and confident cornering, and a greater ability to put that 300 bhp onto the tarmac effectively.

All this fettling resulted in a car that’s just as good on the winding mountain roads of Japan as it is for blasting down the M4, tackling a track day at full chat, or pootling around town in to show off your rather special hot hatch.

We say special because, in addition to the above, the GR Corolla is complete with a triptych exhaust set-up that opens and closes across the rev range to give the high-revving three-cylinder the best acoustic composition possible, as well as an overarchingly mechanical and visceral driving experience driven by a reduced amount of acoustic insulation, meaning you can hear the engine, turbo, and AWD system kicking in before kicking you out of hairpin bends.Our ExampleDuke Quality Motor’s presents this 2025 Toyota GR Corolla Circuit Edition with just 4,000 km. Originally purchased in Japan, it was soon sent to Ireland before joining us in West London, and is UK registered as a result.

If you’re looking to spice up your life with a hot hatch, the Toyota GR Corolla Circuit Edition should certainly be on your radar. Get in touch with Duke’s Quality Motors at Duke of London to enquire about it the car and to see it in the metal.