Not everybody can declare to be the champion of the fanatic driver, however Toyota is actually in with a shout. The picture of unfailingly beige Camrys are properly and really behind us – Toyotas are actually (principally) cool and enjoyable to drive, and even the Prius has been touched by the hand of Akio Toyoda. However the former CEO’s best legacy is undoubtedly the success of the Toyota Gazoo Racing banner.

The as soon as underperformer of endurance racing (anybody bear in mind Le Mans 2016?) is now a a number of champion and Le Mans winner, and its success extends to the World Rally Championship too, the place it has received 5 drivers’ titles on the bounce.

Distilling all that racing pedigree right into a business product was not the work of a second, however the GR street automobile lineup is now four-strong and contains rally-bred sizzling hatches and purpose-built sports activities automobiles. Right here, the brand new GR Corolla joins two of its formidable siblings, the GR Supra and GR86, though sadly the GR Yaris couldn’t make it to the household reunion.

However irrespective of, as a result of the GR Corolla takes all the very best bits from the smaller three-door. Besides right here, its beating coronary heart been dialled as much as 11 – the 1.6 litre G16E-GTS turbocharged three-cylinder engine has been strengthened and fettled with a freer-breathing exhaust, so it now makes 300 PS and 370 Nm of torque.

Additionally shared with the GR Yaris is the GR-4 all-wheel-drive system, the torque cut up of which could be set both to 40:60, 50:50 or 30:70 entrance to rear at a twist of a dial on the centre console. Malaysians are lucky sufficient to obtain the Circuit Version as customary, which provides Torsen entrance and rear limited-slip differentials and a bulging bonnet with useful air vents.

All this implies the GR Corolla shares little along with your uncle’s Corolla sedan. It sits on the identical Toyota New International Structure (TNGA), sure, however makes use of the five-door Corolla hatch – unavailable in Malaysia – as a base. Toyota then added extra welding factors, structural adhesives and bracing to make the GR model tremendous stiff. It additionally swapped the digital parking brake with a mechanical handbrake; the automobile will even disconnect the rear axle so you’ll be able to pull these candy rally-style slides.

The GR86 might have been launched concurrently the GR Corolla, however its lineage stretches again to 2012 with the authentic 86 (a lot farther nonetheless in the event you embody the AE86 Corolla Levin/Sprinter Trueno of Preliminary D fame). Like its forebear, the GR86 was developed by Subaru alongside the BRZ and is a back-to-basics sports activities coupé with an engine on the entrance, drive on the rear and 4 seats within the center.

Whereas the fundamental system has been left properly alone, the 2 corporations have labored to revamp the anaemic 2.0 litre naturally-aspirated flat-four, now punched out to 2.4 litres in FA24D type and producing a wholesome 237 PS (up 29 PS) and 250 Nm (up 38 Nm). The physique shell has additionally been stiffened and lightened utilizing high-strength metal and aluminium physique panels, serving to to make this an much more participating steer.

The GR Supra is the least modified right here, primarily the identical automobile that was revealed again in 2019. As such, it’s a identified amount by now – constructed by BMW, based mostly on the present Z4 and powered by Munich’s venerable 3.0 litre B58 turbo straight-six, producing 387 PS and 500 Nm. However this swoopy two-seater has just lately been refreshed with some eye-catching upgrades.

Firstly, the adaptive suspension has been retuned for a extra snug journey, whereas the electrical energy steering and anti-roll bar bushings have been tweaked to offer you extra suggestions via the rim. However after all, the most important distinction is the addition of a six-speed handbook gearbox for the primary time, Toyota (and BMW) lastly capitulating to the horde of fanatics clamouring for a row-your-own transmission.

Sadly, this explicit Supra doesn’t get that – it nonetheless has the (admittedly sensible) ZF eight-speed automated. Moderately extra heinously, this GR86 can be an auto, this time Aisin’s anodyne six-speed ‘field. No such points with the GR Corolla, which comes solely with a six-speed handbook. It’s that or strolling.

Regardless of being 5 years previous, the Supra nonetheless seems to be contemporary, albeit much less purposeful than the opposite two with its showy curves and numerous faux vents. In contrast, the GR86’s design is pure businesslike sports activities automobile, although it’s been beefed up and modernised fairly a bit over its predecessor, with a extra aggressive entrance finish, muscly rear haunches and a svelte boot lid spoiler.

The GR Corolla, however, is pure rally automobile theatre with its gaping air inlets, angular fender flares, solid carbon fibre roof (right here unencumbered by a foolish fake carbon wrap, not like the GR Yaris) and large rear diffuser with distinctive triple exhausts. The one design cue that ties all three of those automobiles collectively is the darkish gray multi-spoke alloy wheels that measure 19 inches in diameter on the Suptra and 18 inches on the GR Corolla and GR86.

Inside, these three couldn’t be any extra completely different. Cobbled collectively from BMW components that are actually a minimum of two generations previous, the Supra seems to be and feels the least particular inside, although it most likely has the very best quality out of all of them. The GR86 continues its no-nonsense aesthetic on the within, punctuated by daring pink trim, some recognisable Subaru switchgear and a brand-new seven-inch digital instrument cluster that mimics the form of the attribute boxer engine.

Being based mostly on a Corolla, the GR model is unmistakably Toyota on the within. However whereas the dashboard can be acquainted to those that have sat in a Corolla sedan or Corolla Cross, the recent hatch has some notable distinctive options, comparable to a drive mode selector and a knob to decide on the GR-4 torque cut up. After all, there’s additionally no lacking the chunky bucket seats, handbook shifter, three pedals and, proper between the seats, a sizeable…handbrake lever (don’t chuckle).

By advantage of it having 5 doorways and 5 seats, the GR Corolla is by far essentially the most sensible automobile right here, although its 213 litre boot is hardly commodious. The GR86 might seat 4, however the rear seats are tiny and its boot is severely compromised by having a spare tyre actually sitting within the center. The GR Supra is a strict two-seater, however and not using a spare tyre (typical BMW), its boot measures an inexpensive 290 litres.

As anticipated, none of those automobiles come low-cost, however the GR86 comes closest to being inexpensive, although costs have crept up over time and now begin at RM295,000. The GR Corolla is up subsequent at RM355,000, whereas the GR Supra is significantly dearer, costing a heady RM645,000. All costs are for the handbook variations (as it’s best to), however which might you purchase? Hold forth within the feedback after the soar.

GALLERY: Toyota GR Corolla in Malaysia

GALLERY: Toyota GR86 in Malaysia

GALLERY: Toyota GR Supra in Malaysia

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