GR Corolla only for the lucky
First ballot is open, but applicants for first 50 cars already number in the thousands
The Toyota GR Corolla’s grippy Yokohama Advan Apex tyres have finally hit New Zealand roads . . . and tracks. We spotted the hot Corolla at Manfeild in January and it was rolled out again this month for a GR owners’ drive day at Hampton Downs. It will also be on display at the Toyota Gazoo Festival at Highlands Motorsport Park, Cromwell, on March 25.
The GR Corolla is an eagerly awaited model and numbers are very limited: Toyota NZ anticipates having just 150 examples to sell this year. So it’s playing very fair by holding three ballots for prospective buyers through 2023, each with “approximately” 50 cars. Buyers simply add their names online . . . and wait.
The first ballot opened on February 1 and will be active for two weeks. The lucky “winners” (well, you still have to come up with $74,990) will be lucky indeed: at the time of writing Toyota had revealed the number of applicants was past 1100.
The company has yet to announce dates for the next two ballots, but we’ll keep you posted. There will be more GR Corollas beyond that initial 150 in time, but according to Toyota NZ general manager of new vehicles Steve Prangnell: “Global demand for now has restricted our allocation.” The Corolla is the fourth GR production model, joining the Yaris, 86 and Supra. It picks up the Yaris 1.6-litre three-cylinder turbo engine, but uprated to 221kW.
The six-speed manual drives through the GR Four all-wheel drive system with Torsen differentials front and rear; the torque split is 60/40 for normal driving but switches to 30/70 in Sport mode, or 50/50 in the Track setting.
It’s still based on the standard Corolla hatch, but in addition to the GR powertrain, the hot Corolla has wider tracks and flared guards, with special suspension.
Other visual changes include a new front grille, functional vents for improved aerodynamics and cooling, and a carbon fibre roof.