2023 GR Toyota Corolla races onto the scene later this year

The first-ever 2023 GR Toyota Corolla rolls out later in 2022, and car enthusiasts can’t wait. It will be available later this year at Earnhardt Toyota.

Toyota’s performance vehicle division, Gazoo Racing, adds its high-end touches to the latest Corolla. It features a 1.6L, 3-cylinder direct/port-injected turbo engine that delivers 300 hp and 273 lb-ft of torque. 

This “rally-racer inspired hot hatchback” should improve Toyota’s efforts to add sportier offerings and more stylish designs, said Car and Driver in a review. 

A six-speed manual is the only option available, and all models come with the Toyota Four all-wheel drive system, noted Car and Driver. This allows the driver to choose between different power distribution methods. 

The GR Toyota Corolla will be available in two grades: Core and the launch-year-exclusive Circuit Edition. Standard equipment includes ambient interior lighting, a six-way adjustable driver’s seat, push-button start and aluminum pedal covers, said Car and Driver. Automatic climate control, heated seats and a heated steering wheel are all standard on the Circuit Edition, along with suede and faux leather upholstery.

The 8-inch infotainment display with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto comes standard, along with Amazon Alexa capability and an on-board wi-fi hotspot, noted Car and Driver. The Technology package on the Core model adds an eight-speaker stereo system, wireless smartphone charging pad and in-dash navigation. These items all come standard on the Circuit Edition. 

Thanks to its 1-6 liter, three-cylinder engine, the GR Corolla should deliver “relatively decent fuel economy,” according to Car and Driver, with an expected EPA highway rating around 30 mpg. Safety features include adaptive cruise control, pedestrian and cyclist detection and automatic high-beam headlamps. 

Sport drivers will be glad to hear that all GR Corollas come with a one-year membership to the National Auto Sport Association, which includes access to a complimentary high-performance driving class, said Car and Driver in its review. Fans anxiously await this latest model in the sports car lineup. Learn more at Earnhardt Toyota and take a test drive soon!

About the Author:

Carolyn Sostrom

Biography:

Carolyn Sostrom is a long-time Arizona resident who loves desert sunsets, warm weather, Zumba, and the Western lifestyle.

She attended Saguaro High School in Scottsdale and then Arizona State University, earning a bachelor’s degree in journalism. Similarly to the protagonist in *The Devil Wears Prada*, Carolyn moved to New York City right after college. She started working for the fashion magazine company Conde Nast but never transitioned to the dark side. After a few years, she left New York in the rearview mirror and returned to her home state, taking a reporter job at the *Apache Junction Independent*.

With over 30 years of freelance writing experience, Carolyn especially enjoys writing about community events and profiling individuals who are making a difference in their communities. She had the pleasure of interviewing a variety of cowboy personalities for an article she wrote for the *Scottsdale Independent* about the history of DC Ranch and its roots as a working ranch. Now, her Western adventures with CLN have her diving into the rugged automotive scene, exploring the trucks and rigs cowboys rely on for work, home, and play, a niche where grit meets horsepower.

She works at Raising Special Kids, a nonprofit resource center for families of children with disabilities and special healthcare needs. Carolyn also volunteers with the Autism Society of Greater Phoenix.

Carolyn believes that everyone has a story, and she loves connecting with others to hear their stories. She’s dedicated to ethical journalism and accurate reporting, which shines through in her storytelling.

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