A Toyota Corolla without rear seats sounds like somebody has misunderstood what a Corolla is supposed to be. Yet that’s exactly what Toyota has built with the new GRMN version.
And this isn’t simply a GR Corolla with a few expensive accessories.
Toyota has taken lessons from Nürburgring testing and Japan’s Super Taikyu racing series, then applied them to a car that already had a reputation for being rather entertaining.
The result is a Corolla that weighs 30 kg less than the regular GR model.
Removing the rear bench certainly helps. It also means the GRMN is now strictly a two-seater, which makes the Corolla badge seem slightly amusing.
But Toyota hasn’t spent all its development time removing things.
The turbocharged 1.6-litre three-cylinder engine still produces 224 kW, although torque has increased from 400 to 415 Nm. More importantly, the additional pulling power is concentrated between 3,600 and 4,800 rpm.
That’s the sort of improvement a driver might actually notice when leaving a slow corner.
Toyota has also fitted an intercooler spray system to help control temperatures during demanding driving. The gearbox receives closer ratios, while the GR-FOUR all-wheel-drive system has been recalibrated.
The chassis work is arguably more interesting.
Special monotube dampers use internal rebound springs, and Toyota says engineers adjusted suspension travel in millimetre increments during testing at the Nürburgring.
That sounds rather obsessive for a Corolla. Then again, the regular GR version was never intended to be an ordinary shopping car either.
The GRMN runs on Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tyres, measuring 245 mm wide. That’s 10 mm wider than those fitted to the standard GR Corolla.
Carbon-fibre body panels help reduce weight, while the adjustable rear wing has five positions.
Inside, there’s a dedicated bucket seat, a flocked dashboard and an identification plate showing the car’s production number.
Toyota is also working on a five-seat MORIZO RR with an automatic transmission. That should offer an alternative for buyers who like the performance upgrades but occasionally need to carry more than one passenger.
The GRMN is expected to arrive in selected markets during 2027, including Japan, North America and Australia. Pricing hasn’t been announced.
It will almost certainly cost considerably more than a normal Corolla.
Whether the extra expense makes sense depends on what buyers expect from the car. Anyone wanting everyday practicality can already find that elsewhere in Toyota’s range.
The GRMN exists for people who think the regular GR Corolla still leaves room for improvement. And apparently, two rear seats were standing in the way.
