After a year Toyota GR Corolla facelift launched in Malaysia in a manual transmission version, today officially an automatic transmission variant hot hatch about visiting the local market. This variant was announced for sale with an on-road price without insurance of RM378,950. So compared to the 6-speed manual version that retails at RM368,950, this automatic version is RM10,000 more expensive.
With this higher price, you receive not only a gearbox that can shift on its own, but also a transmission called the eight-speed Gazoo Racing Direct Automatic Transmission (DAT-8AT), which is built to be ‘driven’ through a heat-resistant clutch material, a new torque control system and a high-response linear solenoid, as well as software that can lower the gear as quickly as possible and provide precise gear selection via brake and accelerator pedal input, resulting in an automatic gear change that works just as well is like the technique of a professional driver.
Even the version with an automatic gearbox also gets a launch control system that allows you to take off like a rocket, while this system is not equaled on the six-speed manual gearbox. For the Malaysian market, the GR Corolla comes standard with an automatic transmission fluid cooler (ATF), as well as an ATF heater and cooler that uses coolant to ensure it operates at an optimal operating temperature.
No changes are made to the engine where it is still mated to the same engine as the manual variant, namely the G16E-GTS 1.6-liter three-cylinder turbo engine that generates 300 hp at 6,500 rpm and the maximum torque of 400 Nm is achieved between 3,250 and 4,600 rpm.
Both GR Corolla variants get the same GR Four all-wheel drive system, a system inspired by real rally machines. The system offers a torque split between the front and rear axles of 60:40 (60% front, 40% front) for normal mode, 50:50 for gravel mode and a constantly changing split between 60:40 and 30:70 depending on the driving situation for track mode.
Torque distribution between the left and right wheels is distributed via a Torsen-type LSD that is matched to the front and rear axles as standard. In Toyota Malaysia’s brochure, both versions of the GR Corolla recorded the same 0-100 km/h acceleration time of 5.3 seconds.
From the outside, there is also no difference in appearance or other badging between the manual and automatic versions. It still seems like a version facelift the first GR Corolla to be introduced globally in 2024, with the most noticeable change seen in the front bumper design.
Fog lights are no longer placed on the bumper to provide larger ventilation openings. This is done solely to provide airflow for better cooling, especially for the transmission oil cooler on automatic models. This GR Corolla also gets an extra subradiator to ensure better engine cooling.
The standard specs of the two are also similar, including LED headlights, cross-drilled and cross-drilled disc brakes for all wheels with six-piston monobloc calipers up front, two-piston monobloc calipers at the rear and black Enkei 18-inch alloy wheels wrapped in Yokohama Advan Apex 235/40R18 tires.
Inside the cabin, the real difference between the two versions of this gearbox is of course the different gear buttons, except that these have only two pedals and are present with a shift pedal on the steering wheel. Other details are still the same both where the Malaysian market GR Corolla comes with keyless system, engine start button, dual zone cooling control, 12.3-inch digital instrument display, display head upwireless charger, six speakers, dashcam front and rear, reversing camera and heat filter film.
For the 2026 model, both versions of the gearbox get a new, larger 10-inch Display Audio infotainment system screen replacing the previous 9-inch screen, and it still comes with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity. It also accepts seating half bucket GR with Brin Naub wrap and GR handlebar with red thread stitching.
For safety, the 2026 model of both variants gets the level of blind spot monitoring on both the left and right side mirrors, while the details of the Toyota Safety Sense advanced driver assistance system (ADAS) are still the same, with an automatic emergency braking system. cruise control adaptive, lane-keeping assist, rear cross-traffic alert and automatic high beams. It also comes with seven airbags as standard.
As always, the GR Corolla and other true GR performance models are only sold by Toyota dealers accredited as GR Garage.
GALLERY: Official image of Toyota GR Corolla IN Malaysian market 2026
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