New two-seat GRMN is 'ultimate' GR Corolla
Latest limited edition flagship gets carbon panels, extra torque, bespoke dampers and more...
You’re right, we’ve been here before - exactly four years (and a day) ago, Toyota revealed a two-seat GR Corolla, the Morizo Edition. This GRMN is also a two-seat GR Corolla, but way, way more extreme. Yes, it’s another limited-run, lottery-allocated special edition that we’ll probably never see in little old Britain (unless they make some here), but it’s also a production Toyota that looks like an incredible aftermarket one-off and benefits from motorsport experience. In these lean times for enthusiasts, it’s hard not to be keen. Especially with a five-seater concept also in the works…
While the 1.6-litre three-cylinder turbo produces the same 300hp as the stock GR, there is a smidge more torque (306lb ft against 295) to ‘unleash greater untamed energy.’ Sounds good to us. And as often with GR, the devil is in the detail: racing in Super Taikyu has demonstrated that the 3,600-4,800rpm range is ‘crucial for accelerating out of corners’, so that’s where the extra muscle can be felt most keenly. A new intercooler spray, just like Impreazas of yore, should keep temperatures cool - and power consistent - in even the hardest tracking driving. It works alongside the cool air duct introduced for all 2026 GR Corollas.
Also underneath (we’ll get to the incredible exterior in a sec) are changes to the GR-Four all-wheel drive for even greater stability, plus revisions to the electric power steering which will better suit the GRMN when it comes to ‘cornering under high g-forces.’ It will be even more capable of that than a regular Corolla, thanks to wider Cup 2s and Nurburgring-honed suspension. So there are dampers unique to this model, which come with helper springs; the drastic vertical suspension test presented by the Nordschleife suggested the car would benefit from them.
Knowing GR customers, that’s exactly the kind of modification that will make the GRMN appeal. But this is also the wildest Corolla yet to look at, and it would be easy to understand plenty wanting one just to gawp at (and show off). Alongside the removal of the rear seats, the 30kg weight saving over standard comes from the introduction of a carbon bonnet, carbon front wings and carbon spoilers. On a Corolla! Taking some weight off the front end might benefit steering yet further; the ducts, scoops and slats are all said to be functional, again thanks to Super Taikyu competition. The bronze wheels are standard.
And check out the interior. It wasn’t enough for this car just to be a two-seat GR, so there’s a driver’s bucket seat that ‘enhances car-driver unity while considering everyday ease of ingress and egress.’ Perfect. Testing went as far as sticking the chair in the actual race car, so there have been plenty of laps with helmets on, and the length of the base was actually adjusted to make using the clutch simpler. A few extra grams will be saved by the GFRP construction.
As befits its status as a track-honed two-seat hot hatch, there’s Alcantara everywhere inside a GRMN, with Alumite red accents, even more carbon, a strut brace and a serial number plate. Don’t forget, too, that if all that sounds a bit extreme, a five-seat, eight-speed Morizo RR Corolla is also in development. Which, well, looks just as brilliant (it's the grey one), and there’d surely be demand for such a thing from those with people little and large to ferry around. Both the production GRMN and Morizo RR concept are on display at the Fuji Motorsports Forest Welcome Centre (if you’re passing through) until the end of June. Expect to hear news about how much the lucky few will pay later in the year. Best start getting friendly with your local importer…
But still, Toyota please keep doing what you’re doing.
But still, Toyota please keep doing what you re doing.
- Pedant - 3 cylinder engine so guess the exhausts give a whole number....of 1!
- Pedant - 3 cylinder engine so guess the exhausts give a whole number....of 1!
I also agree on the special vehicles but even some very lightweight seats would be useful, a bit like they’ve now included on the GT3 touring by popular request.
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