Toyota GR Corolla Rally Idea revealed for SEMA – WRC-inspired; widebody equipment, customized exhaust, roll cage

For this 12 months’s SEMA Present, Toyota is offering a glimpse of the GR Corolla’s potential for aftermarket customisation with this, the GR Corolla Rally Idea. Not like its shut sibling, the GR Yaris, the GR Corolla isn’t a homologation particular developed so the carmaker may compete within the World Rally Championship (WRC).

Nonetheless, the GR Corolla shares lots of its operating gear with the GR Yaris, and the Rally Idea demonstrates simply what would occur if it was made right into a full-on rally automotive. “The GR Corolla Rally Idea reveals what occurs once we apply a wholesome dose of Toyota Gazoo Racing DNA and develop the GR Corolla’s rallying roots,” mentioned Lisa Materazzo, group vp of Toyota Division Advertising at Toyota Motor North America (TMNA).

Based mostly on a 2023 GR Corolla Circuit Version, the Toyota Motorsports Storage group regarded in direction of the GR Yaris Rally1 for inspiration, making use of lots of the WRC race automotive’s applied sciences and traits to the idea.

The obvious change is the Rally Idea’s widebody equipment that options three-inch fender flares (the automotive is six inches wider than inventory) fabricated from 20-gauge metal in addition to built-in carbon composite aspect skirts. There’s perform to go together with the shape too, as the big openings within the fenders extract air from the wheel openings, whereas the fenders themselves are designed to offer downforce.

Elsewhere, there’s a carbon composite entrance splitter with a 4.5-inch general size, a bespoke carbon-fibre rear wing, the latter contributing extra downforce and has finish plates aligned with the car’s roofline.

The world of rallying locations lots of stress on drive elements, so making certain there may be ample airflow to the customized oil and transmission coolers is critical. These elements sit contained in the cabin behind the motive force and navigator, so the rear quarter home windows get vents to channel air to those coolers. The Toyota Gazoo Racing-inspired paintwork by Texas-based Full Customs completes the outside, though it may do with some model sponsorship.

Driving-related options embody 17-inch OZ Racing wheels with 215/60 Continental VikingContact 7 tyres, that are accompanied by TEIN Gravel Rally coilovers. The usual automotive’s braking system is retained, however the group added Wilwood turning brakes – a secondary set of rear calipers – to assist present the braking and turning management wanted for gravel rally terrain.

Below the bonnet, the G16E-GTS 1.6 litre turbocharged three-cylinder petrol engine nonetheless produces 304 PS (300 hp) and 370 Nm of torque, paired with a six-speed handbook transmission and GR-4 all-wheel drive system. Nevertheless, the air filter has been swapped out for a GR unit and the exhaust system is customised by MagnaFlow, therefore the extra outlet within the center.

Inside, the rear seats have been modified to suit the customized full roll cage and spare tyre. You’ll additionally discover fairly a couple of objects from OMP Racing, together with the model’s racing seats and belts and a fireplace suppression system. To make room for the turning brake deal with, the handbook shifter has been barely relocated for higher ergonomics, and different rallying-related objects embody a ZeroNoise intercom system and a car jack.

The GR Corolla is about to enter the ASEAN market quickly, with Thailand reportedly set to be the primary to welcome the mannequin. The GR Yaris was provided in Malaysia earlier than, so right here’s to hoping we get the GR Corolla too. If you happen to want a reference level to make a rally model of the new hatch, TMNA’s idea is an effective begin, don’t you suppose?