Report: Toyota to Upgrade 2025 GR Corolla Line with Automatic Gearbox Option and More Torque

by Chris Teague

Published: July 9th, 2024

report toyota to upgrade 2025 gr corolla line with automatic gearbox option and more

One of my favorite things about my GR Corolla and the factor that makes the car so engaging to drive is its six-speed manual transmission. That said, I understand that automatics are often quicker and have better fuel economy and that there are plenty of people who can’t or don’t want to drive a manual for one reason or another. Toyota knows that, too, moving to offer an eight-speed automatic in the related GR Yaris, which now appears to be making its way to the States in the 2025 GR Corolla.

The Drive reported on the development, which broke on the GR Corolla Forum. Users shared an internal equipment overview for 2025 Canadian models, and the first option listed for the new GR Corolla is an eight-speed automatic gearbox. Toyota also apparently plans to bump the car’s torque for the new year, taking it from 272 pound-feet to 295. Premium models will get a new sub-radiator to help improve cooling performance under hard driving conditions.

Laugh about automatic transmissions all you want, but this is a smart move from Toyota that may also be a great thing for buyers, depending on how hardcore the dealers want to get with markups. While Honda and Acura don’t offer an automatic in the Civic Type R or Integra, Hyundai Elantra N buyers can opt for a dual-clutch automatic, increasing that car’s appeal. The GR Corolla is a rare car, but the additional transmission choice could increase availability and push more people to buy the car. With the world moving toward electrification, we need all the rowdy hot hatches we can get.

[Images: Toyota]

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Chris Teague

Chris grew up in, under, and around cars, but took the long way around to becoming an automotive writer. After a career in technology consulting and a trip through business school, Chris began writing about the automotive industry as a way to reconnect with his passion and get behind the wheel of a new car every week. He focuses on taking complex industry stories and making them digestible by any reader. Just don’t expect him to stay away from high-mileage Porsches.

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2 of 12 comments

IBx1 on Jul 09, 2024
Upgrade?

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Theflyersfan on Jul 10, 2024
Hit pause on the automatic option and instead put the money towards a better interior. I'm sure the GR Corolla is a flat out riot to drive, but the base Corolla interior is not good enough for the price tag on the GR. Honda and VW at least have somewhat more premium interiors for the same money. And also, once this auto GR is released, what are the markups going to be? $10,000?

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