2023 GR Corolla GTS-Breakdown, Brilliant Comeback PT 2-The REVIEW

Several months after the false start, the GR Corolla GTS was returned to us all sparkly and new. See our Breakdown story HERE.

I could tell you about extended, over-butched mudguards, the sexy AWD system, and exotic materials from which the engine is fashioned, but why? You can read the technical specifications on the website and brochure (copies attached), so there is no point banging on about pistons made of little bits of George Russell’s nipples, and tyres made of Nico Rosberg’s old shoes.

Instead we’ll do the looky-touchy-feely thing.

Firstly, over the last decade, many LGBTI readers have reported reading the fast car stories and loving them. A surprising number of those same LGBTI readers have actually bought a fast car, be it a hot hatch or something tasty and expensive.

The Specifications HERE:. GR COROLLA SPECIFICATIONS_CORRECTED

The full list is in the BROCHURE HERE: 20230607 GR Corolla with Morizo Edition Brochure

Looks –

Mmmmmm, tasty. The regular Corolla is, nice. The inoffensive family hatch is far less humble once it is given body and bonnet vents, flared skirts and guards, and a grille that could eat Tasmania. It is strewn with GR badges and GR-FOUR insignias, has a 221kw turbo-3 under the bonnet, and just looks and sounds plain mean.

It sits widely on its extended track, and black highlights give the black, red, or grey body, a touch of class. We can’t speak to the other colours, but stay tuned for more tests.

Video Review: 2023 2023 GR Corolla GTS Back from the DEAD!!! Full Review – GayCarBoys review – Alan Zurvas 

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ABOVE: 2023 Toyota GR Corolla, George Russells shirtless- Nipples on show! (don’t blame us, you kept asking for them)

Inside  

GR Corolla GTS is one of 700 of an initial allocation that came into the country on the arm of a Morizo Special Edition. GTS is better, and cheaper. GR Corolla GTS has rear seats for a start, something Morizo lacks.

GR Corolla GTS has GR Sports seats that are comfy yet supportive. The bolsters grip your love handles, and the Alcantara-like “Brin Naub” fabric helps prevent passengers sliding about like a rag dolls.

The JBL sound system is very good, and the driver gets a digital dash and HUD. Not only that, but there is a near-complete set of driver aids including active Cruise control, Blind Spot Monitor and Lane Control (departure and centering).

There are a plethora of USBs and cup holders and other goodies, with a Qi charger toping off a long list of convenience and safety gizmos.

The Specifications HERE:. GR COROLLA SPECIFICATIONS_CORRECTED

The full list is in the BROCHURE HERE: 20230607 GR Corolla with Morizo Edition Brochure

The drive:

GR Corolla GTS is a peach. Don’t be fooled by the slightly conservative visage, the Toyota packs an iron wallop in a velvet glove. The modest 1.6L 3-cylinder has 221kw/370Nm (400Nm in Morizo) of turbo’d delight, and a throaty rasp from deep within its inner sanctum. There are drive modes, and AWD that can be manually dialled to 60:40, 30:70 and 50:50, a rare find in the world of 4-paw grip. In most AWD vehicles, shunting of power is left to the machine’s own devices, but Toyota credits its drivers with enough nous to choose their own level of pleasure.

Once settled into a glove-like driver’s seat, the glorious little hatch becomes part of the driver’s extended level of talent an enthusiasm. That probably accounts for the ham-fisted flogging at the hands of drivers who credit themselves with the skill of Jackie Stewart, but have the talent of Homer Simpson. A 5.29 second 0-100 is enough to be going on with, and the IMT button on the dash (right hand of the steering wheel), turns on the Rev Match feature. It blips the engine so that gear changes, up and down, are as smooth as a Bailey’s and ice.

We spent most of the week within Sydney’s confines doing the dreary daily drives in the rain, or heat, or cold, depending on the day. However, sprints in mountain passes beckoned, and it was there in the sandstone canyons where GR Corolla GTS woke from its worker-day slumber. Leaving the Track Mode aside, we slipped into sport, and shuffled a little more of that raspy loveliness to the rear wheels. The steering stood to attention, making the little hatch an extension of the driver’s consciousness.

Corners were stalked like hunters after prey, and when found, were dispatched with the alacrity of an assassin. There is ferocious grip, allowing the spritely GR to exit the corner like a scud on fire.

GR Corolla GTS is a performer, but suspension feels supple enough to prevent organs being turned into soup on our rubbish roads. Few track cars match this kind of flexibility. The driver and safety aids don’t intrude, and the gearbox and clutch are delightful. Rev-matching up and down smooths out rough edges, making the experience feel sophisticated and gentil. David claimed a roughness was felt during spirited examination of the GR Corolla’s limits, but he is not a person who should be talking about frightening children, if you get what I mean.

Pricing was as we found for GR Yaris. The $62,300 RRP is a mere indication, so why are there GR Corolla GTS examples with near $80,000 asking prices? Some have mere 10’s of kilometres on them, meaning the dealer has registered to sell the car as a 2^nd-hand one. It is a shambolic situation and a sad reflection on dealers everywhere, but all brands are at it, unless they’re on, the Mercedes and Honda sales model

In short, GR Corolla GTS feels calm or wild, depending on your mood. The manual transmission is a deliscious work of art, and its tasty little power plant is genius. I’m not a fan of 3-cylinder engines normally, but this is imply gorgeous. The engine is shared with GR Yaris, and I’m really quite cross that Yaris has less power.

Price: $62,300

• Engine: 1.6L 3Cyl, Euro 5c
• Power: 221kw/370Nm (400Nm Morizo)
• Trans: 6sp Man (with i-MT rev matching)
• Econ: 8.4L/100k