Toyota GR Corolla AT in Malaysia – GR DAT with 8 gears, 0-100km/h 5.3 seconds, RM10k over 6MT at RM379k – paultan.org

It’s been a little over a year, but the Toyota GR Corolla will finally get an eight-speed automatic gearbox as promised when the facelifted model launches in 2025. The self-shifting hot hatch costs RM378,950 on the road without insurance, which is RM10,000 more than the purist-friendly six-speed manual model. As usual, a five-year unlimited mileage warranty is included.

The biggest change here is of course the gearbox – the so-called Gazoo Racing Direct Automatic Transmission (DAT). This differs from a typical slushbox in that it is geared for track driving. This is aimed at delivering the fastest possible downshifts and anticipating the correct gear selection based on brake and throttle input, rather than just vehicle behavior – leading to gear changes that Toyota says are comparable to that of a professional driver.

The gearbox also gets heat-resistant clutch material, a new torque control system, a compact high-response linear solenoid and a transmission fluid cooler, the latter fed by inlets in the corners of the front bumper. Exclusive to the car model is the launch control for optimized off-the-line acceleration. Of course, drivers can take over the shifting experience by using the paddle shifters or the rear-to-front sequential gate (push back to upshift, forward to downshift, great for spirited driving).

As you’d expect, the rest of the GR Corolla’s rally-inspired powertrain package is unchanged, including a 1.6-liter G16E-GTS three-cylinder turbocharged engine producing 300 hp at 6,500 rpm and 400 Nm of torque between 3,250 and 4,600 rpm. As part of last year’s facelift, maximum torque has increased by 30 Nm, allowing both gearbox options to sprint from 0 to 100 km/h in 5.3 seconds on their way to a top speed of 230 km/h.

All that power and torque is sent to all four wheels via a proprietary GR-Four all-wheel drive system, with a reconfigured torque spread across the original 2023 model. The default setting is 60:40 front-to-rear in Normal mode, but now goes to 50:50 in Gravel (previously 30:70 in Sport), while Track has a variable torque split from 60:40 to 30:70 depending on driving conditions (previously locked at 50:50). Torsen limited-slip differentials front and rear remain standard.

The MacPherson front suspension and double wishbone rear suspension have already been adjusted last year to increase stability during tight corners, while the ABS tuning has been revised to ensure more consistent braking performance on different surfaces. Updated for 2026 is the increased use of structural adhesives (32.7 meters, 13.9 meters more than before) for a stiffer structure and a cold air intake to reduce intake air temperatures, the latter visible in the front left corner of the engine compartment.

Otherwise, the GR Corolla is much the same as last year, with a redesigned front bumper featuring new brake ducts, air curtains, a fog lamp delete and the aforementioned larger intakes that also feed a sub-radiator. A vented hood, carbon fiber roof, sizable rear wing, signature triple exhaust setup and vented fenders are still present, with the latter sporting 18-inch Enkei multi-spoke alloy wheels shod with Yokohama Advan Apex V601 tires.

Inside, you get a recognizable Corolla interior with a unique smaller diameter steering wheel, GR-branded bucket seats and adjustable headrests and performance screens for the 12.3-inch instrument display. Because this is an automatic, you obviously get a different gear lever and two instead of three aluminum pedals.

Spec changes include an inch-larger ten-inch touchscreen head unit (still with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto) and blind spot monitoring, the latter joining the Toyota Safety Sense suite of driver assistance systems such as autonomous emergency braking, adaptive cruise control (car gets stop and go for full Level 2 semi-autonomous driving), lane centering assistance, traffic sign recognition and automatic high beams.

The rest of the standard kit is unchanged and includes bi-LED projector headlights, keyless entry, push-button start, Brin Naub leatherette and suede upholstery, dual-zone automatic climate control, a head-up display, six speakers, a Qi wireless charger, a dashcam and a reversing camera. The color options are the same as before and include Precious Metal, Super White II, Emotional Red II and Black. Which would you choose: the new automatic or the old-fashioned manual? Let us know in the comments.

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