2025 Toyota GR Corolla 8AT now in SE Asia

Two years ago, Toyota Motor Thailand launched a special model for its 60th anniversary – it was the GR Corolla all-wheel-drive hatchback. While it did complete the Gazoo Racing performance models at the Land of Smiles, the GR Corolla was only offered in limited units – 9 to be exact.

At the 2024 Thailand International Motor Expo, however, Toyota may have signalled the official arrival of the GR Corolla to the ASEAN market as a mainstream model. And yes, it comes with the updates including the new 8-speed direct shift automatic introduced by Toyota for the 2025 model year.

Design-wise, the new GR Corolla features the redesigned front bumper with the lower intakes squared off to allow better airflow in the AWD hatchback’s vital powertrain components. It’s the similar treatment done to the refreshed GR Yaris, and to a lesser extent, the GR Sport Corolla Altis.

Like the US-spec GR Corolla, the Thai-spec version gets Brin Naub suede-trimmed seats, a full-digital instrument screen with heads-up display, dual-zone climate control, and a carbon-fiber reinforced plastic (CFRP) roof.

The G16E-GTS three-cylinder turbo produces 300 PS, with increased torque at 400 Nm. This time, the engine is solely mated to the 8-speed Direct Shift Automatic transmission for the Thai market – offering better convenience in the city with continued control in performance driving through its paddle and sequential shifters.

Toyota Motor Thailand says they are already accepting online bookings “for a limited number of units”, but wasn’t specific with the number of units they intend to bring in.

As for pricing, the GR Corolla retails for over THB 4 million, which translates to around PHP 7 million in the current exchange rates. While the price has indeed pulled a premium, Toyota Thailand says the purchase comes with additional packages like the GR Service package good for 3 years, a 5-year roadside service, and a track experience package for you to enjoy the GR Corolla.

The big question is, will Toyota Motor Philippines finally offer the GR Corolla since Thailand already has it? We’ll keep a close eye on this one.