With the introduction of the 2026 Toyota GRMN Corolla, Toyota has launched a lighter, more potent and track-oriented take on the GR Corolla. The result of hard lessons from endurance racing and countless hours at the Nürburgring in Germany, this GRMN Corolla will arrive in late summer with a price tag starting at $64,360.
As the flagship of the Gazoo Racing stable, the GRMN Corolla is rife with upgrades to put up better numbers on the track.
The 1.6-liter three-cylinder engine remains the source of power, but Toyota’s engineers have made it work harder. Peak torque is now 302 pound-feet. The emphasis was placed on torque in the 4,000 to 4,600 rpm band where one tends to be during a spirited run, as opposed to simply adding horsepower. An intercooler spray system and a reworked cool-air intake are also on hand to keep temperatures in check and performance steady over multiple high-speed laps.
Development for the GRMN has been extensive, involving not only the rigors of Japan’s Super Taikyu series but also thousands of miles on the punishing tarmac of the Nürburgring. This has yielded a chassis that has been overhauled for stability in fast corners and over uneven road surfaces. Exclusive monotube dampers with rebound springs and new bump stops are part of the package, in addition to recalibrated electric power steering and tweaks to the GR-FOUR all-wheel-drive for sharper responses when pushed to the limit. Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2s are standard.
What you see on the outside of the GRMN is there for function. Data from the hydrogen-powered GR Corolla race car informed the design of the large rear wing, front side spoilers, fender ducts and vented hood. The owner can set the rear wing in any of five positions to suit the conditions or the circuit.
To improve the power-to-weight ratio, Toyota has done away with the rear seats and implemented other weight-saving measures. The GRMN is 66 pounds under the standard GR Corolla. Inside, there are some exclusive touches: semi-bucket sport seats in black and red Brin Naub suede and synthetic leather, carbon-fiber trim, a flocked instrument panel to cut down on glare and a serialized production plaque. There is even a signature from Akio Toyoda, or “Morizo” as he is called, on the dash.
Only 730 units of the 2026 model will be produced at the Motomachi plant in Japan for markets in North America, Australia and Japan itself, available in either Zero Gravity or Gravel.
