Rejoice: Toyota will offer continual upgrade kits for the GR Corolla. Toyota’s hot hatchback has seen yearly updates since its debut in 2022, enough that Toyota thinks it should support owners of older cars with upgrades from current model years wherever possible.
During a recent Toyota event in California, Motor1 spoke to Chief Engineer Naoyuki Sakamoto. Sakamoto-san confirmed that this directive to upgrade older GR Corollas came from the very top.
“You must not forget about the current owners,” said Sakamoto-san. “Morizo-san always tells me to remember current owners, so we made sure to prepare upgrade kits.” Of course, Morizo is the pseudonym of Toyota Chairman Akio Toyoda, someone who has demonstrated tremendous support for GR products, especially the Corolla.
This isn’t a new phenomenon; it has, in fact, already been in practice since 2024. An upgrade kit for 2023 model-year cars was available and included new steering rack bolts, rear subframe bolts, new front air curtain ducts, and aluminum tape to help improve aerodynamics by managing electrostatic discharge. All of the parts came from the 2024 cars, and now Toyota will do the same for the 2025 cars, wherever possible.
Photo by: Toyota
While unconfirmed, this means that the 2025 parts should be available through Toyota dealerships. At the event, Sakamoto-san showed me the 2025 model’s updated rear suspension, which increased anti-squat, as well as the stiffer springs and upgraded rear dampers from the 2025 car. All of the parts looked easy enough to bolt on, meaning 2023 and 2024 owners could feasibly upgrade their car to 2025 specifications. This plan also extends to the overseas GR Yaris.
Upgrades like the 2026 model’s speakers, fake engine sounds, and body adhesives aren’t feasible, for obvious reasons. But bolt-on upgrades should keep GR Corolla owners happy well into the future, especially because those upgrades make a considerable difference in how the GRC drives. I sampled a standard 2023, an upgraded 2023, a 2025, and a 2026 GRC, and just some basic bolts and suspension parts make the plucky hot hatch that much better.
The 2024 upgrade kit is available for $275, with pricing for future upgrade kits yet to be confirmed. Toyota reports that 20 percent of GR Corolla owners have purchased an upgrade kit, which is considerable considering the GR Corolla’s popularity.
Still, it’s cool that Toyota is promoting longevity and upgrades rather than just forcing you to buy the newest model year.
45
Source: Toyota
Read the full article here
