Everybody’s consideration is on the 2 facelifted GR scorching hatches on the Toyota Gazoo Racing Season 7 finale, occurring on the Petronas Sepang Worldwide Circuit now, however there’s one other automobile on stage, one which’s a good bit extra attainable.
The 2025 Toyota Corolla GR Sport is the sportiest variant of the native civilian Corolla vary, and it’s geared toward younger drivers, even these with a household, who need a sporty sedan for on a regular basis driving (UMW Toyota Motor’s phrases).
“Not like ‘sporty variants’ of another fashions out there, the Corolla GR Sport doesn’t merely have sportier seems but additionally genuinely improved driving efficiency, notably within the space of dealing with,” the corporate says.
The 2025 automobile replaces the Corolla GR Sport that debut in August 2023, and the sedan will get revised exterior options, improved efficiency from a brand new ’10-speed transmission’ (extra on this later), GR Sport leather-based and suede seats and an upgraded infotainment show.
We’ll begin with the gearbox, which UMWT calls a 10-speed Sport Sequential Shiftmatic. Changing the usual CVT with seven digital ratios (it’s nonetheless a CVT), the ‘field right here has extra ratios that ‘permits for smoother transitions’ and every ratio has been ‘optimised for optimum efficiency’. The guide mode has enhanced response time and there are steering paddle shifters too, in fact. UMWT has completed this ’10-speed trick’ earlier than with the 2020 Vios GR-S.
No change to the output of the 2ZR-FE 1.8-litre Twin VVT-i engine, which stays at 139 PS and 172 Nm, however UMWT says that revised ECU programming provides responsiveness. When in Sport mode, there’s ‘Auto Brake Downshifting and Cornering Gear Repair Management’ that goals to supply higher throttle management when exiting a nook.
There’s extra beneath the hood. The electrical energy steering’s ECU has been optimised for smoother steering throughout multi-turn manoeuvres, corresponding to driving alongside a twisty street. “With the ability to really feel the torque extra immediately provides the driving force a greater really feel of what the entrance wheels are doing. Along with higher straightline stability, the driving force could have extra confidence at excessive velocity,” UMWT says.
Just like the previous Vios GR-S and outgoing Corolla GR Sport, the 2025 automobile will get sharper dealing with than the 1.8 G because of retuned shock absorbers, rear coil springs and stabilisers. The result’s diminished roll, pitch and bouncing, however the firmer damping and enhancements to driving dynamics haven’t induced a lack of experience consolation, UMWT claims.
Exterior adjustments embrace a redesigned entrance bumper and decrease grille, which is rather more consistent with the look of the total bore GR vehicles. A extra sq. decrease grille, principally. The ‘mouth’ is roofed with a G-shaped mesh. The rear finish is enhanced with a boot lid spoiler and decrease spoiler, whereas the rear lights have a darkened ‘smoked’ impact. UMWT says that aerodynamic efficiency has been improved.
To garnish, the 2025 Corolla GR Sport has a brand new two-tone physique color with a black roof. The three color choices are Pink Mica Metallic, Platinum White Pearl Mica and Angle Black Mica – the latter received’t be two-tone, in fact. There must be no change to the wheels, that are 18-inch gadgets paired with 225/40 tyres.
Inside, the black-themed cabin with crimson stitching will get new GR Sport Design entrance seats upholstered with leather-based and suede. Different notable factors are a GR emblem for the sports activities steering wheel (begin button too), crimson seatbelts and smoked silver metallic trim. A non-sporty however good improve is the bigger 10-inch touchscreen infotainment with wi-fi Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
The complete Toyota Security Sense suite of lively security methods is included, together with a safety system with immobiliser, ultrasonic cabin sensor and glass breakage sensor. UMWT’s typical automobile telematics system, too. The 2025 Toyota Corolla GR Sport is priced at RM149,800 on-the-road excluding insurance coverage and the transferable manufacturing unit guarantee is 5 years with limitless mileage.
GALLERY: 2025 Toyota Corolla GR Sport
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