Toyota's GRMN Corolla is the most extreme hot hatch coming to Australia

Key takeaways

• Toyota GRMN Corolla arrives in Australia in 2027
• Two-seater layout, 221kW and 408Nm, Nürburgring-tested
• Exclusive khaki colour available in Australia and North America only

Toyota has taken the wraps off the GRMN Corolla, the most hardcore version of its GR hatchback yet, and Australia is confirmed to get it in 2027. Pricing and full specifications will be announced closer to the on-sale date.

If the GR Corolla is the road car, the GRMN Corolla is what happens when Toyota lets its motorsport division have the final say. It was developed through the brand's hydrogen-powered Super Taikyu race program in Japan and then put through its paces at the Nürburgring in Germany - two very different tracks that together shaped the hardware going into this car.

What makes the Toyota GRMN Corolla different

The changes over the standard GR Corolla are substantial. Toyota has ditched the rear seats in favour of a strut brace, trimming 40kg from the kerb weight and making this a strict two-seater. Power stays at 221kW but torque climbs by 8Nm to 408Nm, delivered through a close-ratio six-speed manual.

Inside, the bucket seats are designed to accommodate helmet use and are positioned lower than in the standard car. Akio Toyoda's Morizo signature appears in the cabin, with Alumite Red trim on the gear knob and door panels.

The suspension is completely retuned with monotube shock absorbers front and rear, replacing the twin-tube units in the standard car. Steering calibration has been revised for high-G cornering, and the AWD torque split has been optimised to push drive to the rear when it counts on track. An intercooler spray system helps sustain peak power during extended hard driving.

On the outside, the GRMN Corolla wears carbon fibre panels across the bonnet, guards, and front splitters. A five-step adjustable rear wing lets drivers dial in downforce to suit the conditions.

GRMN Corolla specs

Australian colours and availability

Two exterior finishes are offered globally. Australia - alongside North America - gets access to an exclusive new khaki colour, with the other option being a matte black finish called Black Gravite.

Toyota Australia Vice President John Pappas said the GRMN Corolla represents the GR brand's motorsport philosophy applied to a production car. "This is truly our GR philosophy in action, and has produced an astonishing high-performance driver's car that is as at home on the racetrack as it is on the road," he said.

With pricing still to come, buyers keen on a stripped-out, track-ready hot hatch have a date to put in the calendar - 2027.

Frequently asked questions

What is the Toyota GRMN Corolla?

The GRMN Corolla is a two-seater, track-focused version of the GR Corolla, developed using Toyota's motorsport program and tested at the Nürburgring. It produces 221kW and 408Nm through a close-ratio six-speed manual.

When does the Toyota GRMN Corolla go on sale in Australia?

Toyota has confirmed Australian availability in 2027. Pricing and full specifications will be released closer to the on-sale date.

How is the GRMN Corolla different from the GR Corolla?

The GRMN Corolla removes the rear seats to save 40kg, adds monotube suspension, wider Michelin Cup 2 tyres, a revised AWD system, a close-ratio gearbox, and an intercooler spray system for sustained track performance.