Toyota New Zealand Showcases Ultimate Performance GRMN Corolla

• GRMN Corolla embodies the purest expression of GR performance and motorsport DNA 

• Two exclusive demonstration vehicles to visit New Zealand for special enthusiast experiences 

• Developed on the Nürburgring and forged through Japanese Super Taikyu racing
  
  

Toyota New Zealand will bring one of the most focused performance cars it has ever created to local shores, with the GRMN Corolla set to appear here as part of a global showcase of GAZOO Racing’s most extreme engineering. 

Positioned at the very top of the GR lineup, the GRMN Corolla represents the ultimate evolution of the GR Corolla – a car shaped by motorsport, developed through competition, and refined at Germany’s Nürburgring circuit. 

Two GRMN Corolla vehicles will visit New Zealand, appearing across a series of upcoming activations designed to connect local enthusiasts with the core of Toyota’s performance philosophy. 

The GRMN Corolla’s presence in New Zealand reflects a broader commitment to sharing the GR story – bringing the most specialised expressions of the brand to the communities that follow it. 

“GR has always been about learning through driving and competition – and GRMN is the result of taking that philosophy to its extreme,” says Toyota New Zealand Chief Strategic Officer Andrew Davis. 

"Kiwis are big performance car enthusiasts who are following the GR journey closely and like to customise their GR cars.  

“Because of this passion we now offer them a range of performance parts, and when we were given the opportunity to showcase a full factory GRMN car, we jumped at it. We are excited to see it hit our shores,” says Andrew. 

The GRMN Corolla has been developed from Toyota’s participation in the Japanese Super Taikyu endurance racing series, where continuous improvement through real-world competition plays a central role. Its evolution has been further shaped by extensive testing at the Nürburgring – a circuit that underpins the development philosophy of Toyota Chairman Akio Toyoda, also known as master driver “Morizo.” 

The GRMN name – GAZOO Racing tuned by the Meister of Nürburgring – is reserved for Toyota’s most highly specialised performance vehicles, engineered with a focus on precision, balance, and capability under demanding conditions. 

Building on the already high-performance GR Corolla, the GRMN introduces a series of targeted enhancements. Offered exclusively with a manual transmission (6MT), the 1.6-litre turbocharged three-cylinder engine has been further refined to deliver increased torque, while updates to the all-wheel-drive system optimise power delivery across varying conditions. 

Chassis and handling performance have been sharpened through dedicated suspension tuning, including high-performance monotube shock absorbers and wider tyres, along with refinements to steering for improved feedback and control during high-load driving. 

Aerodynamic performance has also been elevated through functional components developed in motorsport environments, including bonnet and fender ducting, front-side aerodynamic elements, and a manually adjustable rear wing. The use of lightweight carbon fibre components – such as the rear wing/spoiler, hood, fender, and front side spoilers – not only enhances aerodynamic efficiency but also contributes to overall weight reduction and improved vehicle balance. 

Inside, the GRMN Corolla adopts a stripped-back, two-seat configuration designed with driver focus in mind. Lightweight construction, lowered seating position, and full bucket seats trimmed in suede with pronounced bolstering provide enhanced driver support and connection to the vehicle. These elements reinforce its purpose as a machine built for precise, engaged driving. 

The GRMN Corolla is being brought to New Zealand as a showcase vehicle, with its local role centred on sharing the most advanced expression of GR engineering rather than as a retail model. 

Further details on where it will be seen will be announced in due course.