SEMA 2022: Toyota GR Corolla rally car uncovered
WRC-ready Toyota GR Corolla hatch hits SEMA next to crazy-fast 462kW Supra and GR 86 Daily DrifterToyota has uncovered a rally version of its 2023 Toyota GR Corolla at the SEMA show in Las Vegas ahead of the high-performance hatchback’s launch next year.
Developed under the brief of creating the “ultimate rally machine”, the Toyota GR Corolla Rally Concept sports a wide body kit that incorporates 76mm-wider fender flares.
Other radical changes over the road-going hot hatch include vented front and rear fenders that help the GR Corolla generate maximum downforce at high speed.
Up front, there’s also a 114mm-long carbon-composite splitter, while the rear-end carries a huge carbon-fibre wing.
Keeping it cool during flat-out rallying, Gazoo Racing engineers have also added additional oil and transmission coolers that are mounted within the cabin and fed fresh air from extra air intakes sited where the rear doors quarter windows once lived.
Other changes include 17-inch OZ Racing rally wheels, competition gravel tyres, adjustable coil-over suspension and uprated brakes.
Under the bonnet, the tiny turbocharged 1.6-litre three-cylinder engine carries over, producing the same 221kW and 370Nm as the road car and combining with the same six-speed manual transmission.
The only mechanical modifications include a sports exhaust and a high-flow air intake.
Inside, there’s a pair of race seats, a full roll cage, fire suppression system, an intercom and full-size spare wheel.
It’s thought the GR Corolla could be used in rally events in North America, but is unlikely to ever fight for victory in the WRC.
Meanwhile, a couple of Toyota GR Supra sports cars at SEMA demonstrate what’s possible in the US when you stump up $US10,000 ($A15,500) for aftermarket mods.
The answer is huge power.
With uprated turbos, cat-less sports exhaust and revised ECU tune, the Supra show cars – dubbed the ’10-Second Twins’ – pump out 462kW and 799Nm of torque, up from 250kW/494Nm.
Throw in upgraded rear axles, racing wheels (with stickier drag-strip-ready tyres), a heat exchanger and transmission cooler, and Toyota claims its $10K builds are capable of a 10:984sec quarter mile (hence the name).
The other model on display at SEMA also involves a budget build, this time focusing on a Toyota GR 86 you can drift on the weekend but use every day.
The Toyota GR 86 Daily Drifter features a supercharger and cat-back sports exhaust that boosts power from 170kW to 221kW.
Other upgrades include bigger brakes, coil-over suspension, adjustable anti-roll bars, a steering angle kit (to add more turns lock-to-lock), a four-point roll cage, race steering wheel and Sparco seats.
Externally, the GR 86 Daily Drift gets a carbon-fibre front splitter, rear wing, bonnet and side skirts, plus race wheels.
It’s unlikely any of the SEMA show car concepts will ever be available via your local Toyota dealer, but all of them showcase what a decent platform they’re built on, which can in turn be used for modifications using aftermarket suppliers.
Related: Just 500 Toyota Corolla GR cars coming to Oz initially
Related: Toyota GR Corolla 2022 Review – International
Related: Two-seater Toyota GR Corolla track weapon revealed
For everything you auto know about EVs, listen to carsales' Watts Under the Bonnet: the electric car podcast
Join the conversation at
Or email us at
Or email us at
Tags
Please see our Editorial Guidelines & Code of Ethics (including for more information about sponsored content and paid events). The information published on this website is of a general nature only and doesn’t consider your particular circumstances or needs.
