Toyota GR Corolla facelift in Japan – 6MT and 8AT, exclusive Circuit Mode with anti-lag, from RM163k

Toyota may be Japanese, but it’s taken a surprisingly long time to bring the facelifted GR Corolla to its home country. The refreshed über hatch only just made its debut there today, meaning that this is the first time Malaysia actually gets a Japanese performance car first, given that our launch happened last month.

Still, the Land of the Rising Sun at least gets the luxury of offering the much-vaunted eight-speed GR Direct Automatic Transmission (DAT) from launch; us Malaysians are lower down the pecking order, so we’ll only receive the in-demand gearbox later on. That car costs 5,980,000 yen (RM171,900), which is a 300,000 yen (RM8,600) premium over the good ol’ six-speed manual (5,680,000 yen or RM163,300).

Power continues to come from the G16E-GTS 1.6 litre turbocharged three-cylinder engine. It’s been uprated slightly, and while power holds station at 304 PS at 6,500 rpm, peak torque has been boosted by 30 Nm to 400 Nm, made between 3,250 and 4,600 rpm.

Those are the same figures as the also-facelifted GR Yaris, giving the two cars parity in performance for the first time. Not that fuel consumption is a serious consideration for hot hatch buyers, but just for clarity, Toyota claims 12.4 km per litre for the manual and 10.8 km per litre with the auto.

All that gets sent to all four wheels through the car’s trademark GR-Four system. Just like the on the GR Yaris, the all-wheel drive’s operation has been changed – the torque split now goes from 60:40 front-to-rear in Normal to 50:50 in Gravel (previously 30:70 in Sport), while Track has a variable torque split from 60:40 to 30:70 depending on the driving conditions (previously locked at 50:50). Front and rear Torsen limited-slip differentials continue to be standard fitment in Japan.

Unique to the Japanese market is a new Circuit Mode, enabling higher performance from the three-pot mill. The car uses GPS to detect if it’s nearing a supported racetrack and switches the 12.3-inch digital instrument display to show shift lights and an enlarged gear indicator.

That’s not all – Circuit Mode also engages a built-in anti-lag system (weak, mild and strong settings), maximises the output of the cooling fan and raises the speed limiter beyond the government-mandated 180 km/h. Speaking of which, the GR Corolla continues to have a top speed of 230 km/h.

The outgoing GR Corolla didn’t exactly want for much in terms of driving dynamics, but Toyota has still seen fit to hone the chassis further. Rebound front and rear springs suppress inner wheel lift during hard cornering to improve traction, while the rear spring and anti-roll bars have been retuned to increase ground contact response and controllability in the bends.

Meanwhile, the trailing arm mounting point has been raised to reduce rear squat under acceleration. This prevents the vehicle posture from changing too much, enhancing the accelerative force and providing greater stability when cornering.

Providing a visual indicator to the comprehensive under-the-skin reengineering is a redesigned front bumper, featuring a similar design to the GR Yaris. Larger corner air inlets and the deletion of fog lights increase cooling capacity, feeding air to that new sub-radiator. There are also new brake ducts and an air curtain that directs air around the front wheels, reducing turbulence in the wheel wells and increasing handling stability.

No changes to the rest of the exterior, which continues to feature a bulging vented bonnet, blistered fenders with front vents, a carbon fibre roof, a large tailgate spoiler and a sizeable rear diffuser with distinctive triple exhausts.

Happily for Japanese buyers, the 18-inch BBS forged alloy wheels that were previously exclusive to the two-seater Morizo model are now fitted as standard across the range, replacing the usual Enkei cast multi-spokes. No big new interior redesign here, unlike the controversial one in the GR Yaris.

One new option (again, exclusive to Japan) is a Sport Package, which gives you a posher interior for an extra 253,000 yen (RM7,300). For that you get semi-bucket seats, an Ultrasuede-trimmed steering wheel, gearknob (with red trim), shift gaiter and handbrake lever, red seat belts and black trim decor to replace the usual silver.

Unusually, Toyota is offering certain mechanical upgrades as retrofit accessories for existing owners. Two stages are offered – the first is a strengthened bolt set for the steering column and dash to improve steering feel and straight-line stability, as well as for the rear dampers to increase rear grip response.

The second stage consists of a whole bunch of suspension components, including new lower arm and ball joints for better steering response and the aforementioned dampers, rebound springs, rear springs and rear anti-roll bar. All these components are set to be offered at official dealers and Toyota Mobility Parts offices in Japan starting this summer.

The post Toyota GR Corolla facelift in Japan – 6MT and 8AT, exclusive Circuit Mode with anti-lag, from RM163k appeared first on Paul Tan's Automotive News.