More than 25 years after its last appearance, Corolla and its popular GR model are making a comeback.
There’s no denying that the Corolla is affordable transportation because it’s a cheap and reliable no-frills solution, but it’s not the type of car that gets buyers’ hearts racing.
Now, that’s not to say that the model’s performance and looks have been dull. Quite to the contrary, past Corollas like the FX16, AE86, GT-S and XRS have proven that the nameplate means more than just wallet-conscious commuting.
Toyota’s GR Corolla RC2 will be unveiled at ARA next year. – Image source: Toyota
Plus, with the launch of 2022 variants of the popular GR Corolla, Toyota has made a strong case for why it has reason to take the car seriously again. However, it’s the automaker’s latest announcement that really shows its commitment to making the Corolla even cooler.
Corolla is in trouble again
Toyota will compete in the American Rally Association (ARA) national championship for the first time with a car based on the GR Corolla as part of Gazoo Racing’s 2026 racing program.
Before the program was scrapped, Toyota’s Corolla reached significant pulling heights (literally). – Image source: Toyota
According to the automaker, the decision was made to “build better motorsport vehicles on American roads.” Still, as important as racing is to future performance developments, it’s the model’s past that makes this moment so important.
That’s because it’s been more than 25 years since Toyota fielded a Corolla in rallying. In addition, the car has a rich racing history, from Hannu Mikkola’s victory in the 1975 1000 Lakes Rally to the 1999 WRC Constructors’ Championship.
Seth Quintero and Topi Luhtinen will suit up for Toyota as part of the program. – Image source: Toyota
So it’s a pretty good comeback story. After Toyota withdrew from rallying, the brand eventually returned with the GR Yaris, while the Corolla was relegated to the bench.
Fortunately, Toyota Gazoo Racing World Rally Team (TGR-WRT) has been busy during that time, amassing six manufacturers’ titles since 2018. It was their expertise that modified the road-going GR Corolla so that it could take on lateral pulling duties as part of the RC2 class.
The Toyota GR World Rally Team has no shortage of success, having won six championships since 2018. – Image source: Toyota
The showroom is also very lively
When Toyota went up against Mitsubishi and Subaru in rallying that year, success on the track translated into showroom sales.
We finally see this strategy again in the twelfth-generation Corolla. In addition to the approachable SE and XSE trims, which bring an entry-level sporty feel with a tuned suspension and upgraded seats, Toyota also offers the popular GR Corolla for those looking for uncompromising performance.
Toyota’s retro-style FX interior is reminiscent of the FX16. They’re subtle changes, but impactful nonetheless. – Image source: Toyota
Now that the car has entered competition, it will bring true racing pedigree. Toyota says it hopes this will “support the growth of North American rally racing with the GR Corolla, a road-going performance car bred in rally racing.”
To that end, Toyota has clearly been listening and giving the Corolla a more exciting look.
For example, the retro-style FX suite shows how you can successfully evoke Corolla’s heritage with a few simple changes. Although the twelfth generation is simple compared to some competitors, it still brings significant upgrades.
If Toyota’s latest concept is anything to go by, the Corolla’s future could feature some completely different styling. – Image source: Toyota
What’s more, Toyota’s vision for the Corolla’s future design is anything but ordinary. Between the eye-catching light bar and wheel arches that are somewhat reminiscent of the bZ, its looks promise to be as radical as its potential multi-energy powertrain options.
Whether you’re invested in a rally car or too invested in a concept car, Toyota is keen to make the Corolla as cool as ever, which means there’s a lot of exciting things to come.
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