Toyota’s hot hatch game is heating up. The 2025 GRMN Corolla has been spotted tearing up the Nürburgring. This isn’t your average Corolla – it’s a track-ready beast that’s set to redefine the hot hatch segment.
Spy shots show a camouflaged prototype pushing hard around the Green Hell. Despite the camo, its aggressive stance and body kit are hard to miss. This Corolla means business.
GRMN stands for “Gazoo Racing, Master of Nürburgring.” It’s Toyota’s high-performance division, tasked with turning ordinary cars into track monsters.
And they’ve clearly been hard at work on this Corolla.
Rumors suggest the GRMN Corolla will pack over 300 horsepower. That’s a lot of punch for a small car. It’s likely using a tuned version of the 1.6-liter turbocharged three-cylinder engine from the GR Yaris. Don’t scoff at the cylinder count – this tiny engine packs a serious wallop.
The spy footage shows the GRMN Corolla hugging corners like it’s on rails. Its exhaust note is described as “angry hornets in titanium dustbins.” Music to a petrolhead’s ears.
Performance is expected to be blistering. We’re talking 0-60 mph times around 4 seconds – supercar territory. But straight-line speed is only part of the story. This Corolla is designed to dominate twisty tracks.
Sadly, there’s bad news for European fans. Word is the GRMN Corolla won’t be sold in Europe. Emissions regulations are likely to blame. But never say never – Toyota has been known to change plans if demand is high enough.
In other GR Corolla news, the 2025 model year brings some big changes. For the first time, an automatic transmission will be available. It’s an eight-speed unit with paddle shifters and launch control. Purists can relax – the six-speed manual isn’t going anywhere.
The 2025 GR Corolla also gets a power bump. While horsepower stays at 300, torque jumps from 273 to 295 lb-ft. Toyota has also improved cooling and tweaked the suspension for better handling.
The GR Corolla lineup is changing too. The Circuit Edition is gone, replaced by new Premium and Premium Plus trims. The Premium Plus gets goodies like a carbon fiber roof and vented hood.
But wait, there’s more! Spy shots of another GR Corolla prototype hint at an even hotter version. This test car sports extra vents in the hood and fenders, plus a larger rear spoiler. It might be a full-blown GRMN model, following in the footsteps of the Japan-only GRMN Yaris.
If it follows the GRMN Yaris formula, expect more power, less weight, and track-focused upgrades. Think bigger brakes, stickier tires, and maybe even a rear-seat delete for maximum weight savings.
The hot hatch wars are heating up, and Toyota is bringing serious firepower. Whether it’s the updated GR Corolla or the potential GRMN version, Toyota is clearly gunning for the top spot in the segment. Competitors like the Honda Civic Type R and Volkswagen Golf R should be worried.
For hot hatch fans, these are exciting times. The once-humble Corolla has transformed into a track-devouring monster. It proves that practical doesn’t have to mean boring. With the GRMN Corolla, you might be able to drop the kids at school and set a lap record – all in the same day.
Original Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HBI_flGCeoU
