Manual transmissions have become increasingly rare, but they can be found on every GR Corolla. However, that might not be the case for much longer. According to an alleged vehicle ordering guide that was posted on the GR Corolla Forum, the 2025 model will be offered with an eight-speed automatic transmission in Canada. It will apparently be limited to the Premium trim and the document suggests the gearbox will be accompanied by steering wheel mounted paddle shifters.
Besides the new automatic transmission, the document suggests the turbocharged 1.6-liter three-cylinder engine will have an increased torque output. This is where things get a little suspect as the document claims the output will be increased from 368 Nm to 400 Nm. That seems like great news at first glance, but the engine currently produces 370 Nm of torque, so it raises a potential red flag that makes us question whether or not the document is legit.
The same document also suggests that the
updated GR Corolla will have a revised front bumper and additional standard
equipment. The latter will reportedly include brake cooling ducts and a heated
steering wheel. The Premium variant is also said to have a new radiator that
improves engine cooling. While only time will tell if the document is real,
Toyota officials haven’t been coy about the possibility of adding an
eight-speed automatic transmission to the GR Corolla. It also wouldn’t be a
first as Toyota already offers an automatic in the GR Yaris.
Regardless of what Toyota has planned, the
2024 GR Corolla starts at US$ 36,500 in the United States and is offered in three
different trims. The most notable is the US$ 45,140 Circuit Edition, which
features a carbon fiber roof, gloss black accents, and 18-inch forged alloy
wheels.
