Toyota is racing GR Corolla touring car with 8AT

Sometimes, we can only admire things from a distance. Speaking of which, it’s a race car that’s been unveiled in the US.

Toyota Gazoo Racing North America has expanded its racing program to the SRO TC America series, where it will race the GR Corolla Touring Car. It features a series of race-spec enhancements for the body and running gear, but the most notable feature is that the GR Corolla Touring Car won’t come with a 6-speed manual transmission.

Instead, the GR Corolla Touring Car will feature the 8-speed Gazoo Racing Direct Automatic Transmission paired with the 1.6-liter three-banger called the G16E-GTS. It will also retain its GR-Four all-wheel-drive system.

The GR Garage Team added 6-piston front and 2-piston rear brakes from Alcon, custom MacPherson struts designed by TGR North America, and JRi dual-adjustable shocks for better stopping power and maximize mechanical grip given by the Pirelli PZero race tires. Also, a host of aerodynamic enhancements have also been given to the GR Corolla, as it was fitted with a front chin splitter and a large adjustable rear wing.

Interestingly, the GR Corolla Touring Car features a Formula One-style steering wheel as the drivetrain, power management, and ABS are managed by Bosch Motorsport electronics. For added safety, an FIA-spec roll cage, an OMP bucket seat with a six-point harness, and an OMP fire suppression system were fitted to the GR Corolla.

The TC America series combines the TCX and TC Series-spec racecars in a single class to allow a variety of performance brands to compete under one umbrella. The GR Corolla will be racing once the TC America series starts in 2025.