Toyota is giving strong hints that an automatic transmission option is coming for the GR Corolla. The hot hatchback shares its engine and all-wheel-drive system with the smaller GR Yaris. While currently only available with a manual transmission, customer demand for automatics in other GR models suggests a shift is likely.
Sales figures show a clear preference for automatics in the GR86 and Supra, with over half of buyers opting for the two-pedal option. Upon being asked if there is a possibility of a two-pedal GR Corolla, Toyota Gazoo Racing President Tomoya Takahashi acknowledged this, stating, “If there is customer demand, maybe.”
Despite having a manual transmission option, Toyota registered more sales for the automatic variants of the GR86 and Supra sports cars. Naturally, the GR Corolla should also receive an uplifting response with an automatic. By offering an automatic, Toyota could tap on the niche segment of the market that is overlooking the GR Corolla due to absence of an automatic transmission.
It is worth mentioning that the addition of an automatic wouldn’t require a significant overhaul. The recently updated GR Yaris utilises an eight-speed automatic transmission that maintains the car’s impressive performance, adding minimal weight and retaining the manual option. The same powertrain is also on offer with the GR Corolla. The addition of the automatic transmission only resulted in a weight bump of 18 kilograms over the GR Corolla manual.
Beyond transmissions, Toyota Gazoo Racing also hinted at a potential GR-branded SUV. The idea is to cater to a growing market segment that desires both performance and practicality. While details are scarce, the concept makes sense. Performance SUVs are increasingly popular, and Toyota already offers a strong range of SUVs across various sizes. A GR-branded performance variant would be a natural extension of their existing lineup.