Experienced by Kimatni D. Rawlins
Competition heats up with the return of the 2024 Toyota GR Corolla Circuit Edition, offering perpetual performance for racing enthusiasts. Along with Ice Cape, the pocket rocket adds a Blue Flame color scheme to imitate the speed and power of crashing waves while making this the perfect ride for Aqua Man! Forged aluminum 18” BBS rims in black come standard and receive traction from 235/40 ZR18 Michelin Pilot Sport 4 rubber.
During a preview of the hot hatch from the Land of the Rising Sun, we met up with the Circuit Edition in one of the garages of Toyota’s Tech Center to define its intimate details and understand its mechanical aura. The Japanese tuner, which will debut in Gran Turismo, sits low with an aggressive physique chiseled from every angle as if it stays in 24-hour Fitness 24-7. The package receives a forged carbon fiber roof, a menacing GR sport mesh grille in Gloss Black, a vented and bulged hood, triple exhaust tips with a wide central outlet, a rear lower diffuser and massive spoiler in Gloss Black, and black side rocker graphics that run up to the stamped GR-Four logo. Totoya painted the front 4-piston and rear 2-piston aluminum brake calipers red for some contrast.
Offered exclusively with a 6-speed intelligent manual transmission featuring rev matching, the motorsports-focused GR Corolla Circuit Edition is authorized by a turbocharged G16E-GTS 1.6-liter 3-cylinder engine pushing out 300-horsepower and 273 lb.-ft of torque between 3,000 and 5,000 rpm. Grip is maintained by rally racing-developed GR-FOUR All-Wheel-Drive and additional stability is achieved through chassis and duct enhancements. TOYOTA GAZOO Racing chronically evaluated the Circuit Edition’s high-speed mannerisms on some of Japan’s top racetracks from Fuji Speedway to Suzuka Circuit.
Step inside the blacked-out cockpit to discover Brin Naub Suede and synthetic leather-trimmed sport seats with blue accents, a unique blue striped GR shift knob, metal pedals, and standard 8-speaker JBL Premium Audio. An 8″ Toyota Audio Multimedia touchscreen handles your infotainment needs including “Hey Toyota” voice-activated commands. Both wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are supported in addition to Over-the-Air updates for navigation. Toyota Safety Sense 3.0 is standard as usual.
On sale this winter, TOYOTA GAZOO Racing will produce 1,600 GR Corolla Circuit Editions while splitting the two color choices at 800 each. The prior model retailed for $42,900, so expect pricing to come within proximity. Lastly, your GR Corolla purchase includes a free 1-year membership to the National Auto Sport Association and one free High-Performance Driving Event. Let’s ride!
