Five things worth knowing about the 2023 Toyota GR Corolla

• New 2023 Toyota GR Corolla is coming to North America

• It’s a lightweight, rally-inspired performance compact with 300 hp

• It will feature a customization AWD system

Move over beige Corolla, the new 2023 Toyota GR Corolla is here and it’s unlike any Corolla we’ve ever seen. It’s likely to be unlike any Corolla we’ve ever driven, but we’ll have to wait a little while longer to confirm. Still, with gobs of horsepower sent to a customizable all-wheel drive system and out a triple exhaust, the new GR Corolla sounds very promising. Here are five things that stand out about Toyota’s new pocket rocket.

It has a 3-cylinder engine with a lot of power

To power its new hot hatch, Toyota engineers opted for a 1.6-litre 3-cylinder turbocharged engine with 300 horsepower and 273 pound-feet of torque which peaks between 3,000 and 5,500 rpm. The full 300 ponies are all available at 6,500 rpm. This puts the new GR Corolla near Subaru WRX STI and Honda Civic Type R territory.

It has slightly less hp and torque, but at just 1,473 kg (3,247 lb) it is about 200 pounds lighter than the Subie, and just 60 kg heavier than the Type R which is front-wheel drive.

It has all-wheel drive

Unlike the Civic Type R and like the WRX STI, the new 2023 Toyota GR Corolla gets all-wheel drive standard. Called GR Four AWD and developed through Gazoo Racing’s rally experience, the GR Four AWD system offers different customization options. Drivers can select between 60/40, 50/50, and 30/70 front and rear power distributions to achieve optimal stability in any situation. Michelin Pilot Sport 4 tires are standard and wrap around 18-inch wheels.

The GR Corolla is only available with a six-speed manual

There are no fancy dual-clutch automatic or steering paddles in the 2023 GR Corolla. A six-speed manual is the only option to control the engine’s ample horsepower. Rev matching will be built-in to the manual.

Two versions are planned: Core and Circuit Edition

The Toyota GR Corolla Core will be the first model to arrive. It will be offered in white, black, and Supersonic Red along with functional exterior air vents and room for five inside. Every version will offer Toyota Safety Sense 3.0 safety features that include Dynamic Radar Cruise Control, Lane Departure Alert, Lane Tracing Assist, Automatic High Beams, Pre-Collision System with Pedestrian Detection.

The second version, the GR Corolla Circuit Edition, will come in 2023 and will replace the black exterior option with Heavy Metal grey. It comes with a forged carbon fibre roof, vented bulge hood, and a different rear spoiler. The Circuit Edition will get a special gear shift knob signed “Morizo” by Akio Toyoda. The Circuit Edition also features a Torsen Limited-Slip Differential.

Both versions will come with a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster with a GR meter that displays turbo pression, gear position, and the tach. Other standard features include an 8-inch display with Service Connect, Remote Connect, and Safety Connect as well as Toyota’s new Drive Connect system which enables “Hey, Toyota” natural voice interactions.

It will be built on a new dedicated production line in Japan

The new Toyota GR Corolla will be built in Motomachi, Japan in the same plant that built the Lexus LFA. A new GR production line has been added in the factory where the GR Corolla will be built alongside the GR Yaris. Pricing hasn’t been announced but should come shortly. The GR Corolla is expected later this year.