2024 Toyota GR Corolla gets a new colour, no local plans for US updates

Toyota has added a new pain option for the 2024 GR Corolla ($64,190) known as 'Eclectic Blue' locally.

The new exterior hue is paired with matching interior trim highlights on local GTS variants and becomes the fifth colour in addition to Glacier White, Liquid Mercury, Ebony, and Feverish Red. There's no word on price changes for the all-paw hot hatch.

Local changes follow MY24 updates applied to North American market GR Corollas, though a Toyota Australia spokesperson indicated there are no plans yet to introduce those tweaks locally.

Small tweaks were made to the suspension, steering, and battery grounding of the rally-inspired four-wheel drive hot hatch in North America. The changes come around a year after the car’s launch, though rather than reflecting shortcomings it tells the story of insatiable engineers. Prices also climbed in the United States though only by a marginal US$200 (AU$315).

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It also sounds like the first allocation of Morizo editions may indeed be the only one as the track-focused version is dropped in the United States – though the returning Circuit pack could provide relief.

Speaking to Wheels, the Toyota Australia spokesperson reiterated that 25 Morizos are coming here and that the brand will "continue to seek further advice about the potential for additional production”.

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Pictured in Blue Flame, the Circuit Pack would provide a great alternative to the ultra-limited Morizo

What’s changed?

Perhaps showing what a good spec the Australian GR Corolla GTS is, the Yanks have stolen our single specification and added it to mix between their Core – without Torsen front and rear diffs – and diff-equipped Circuit pack.

We’ll come back to that because all GR Corollas have been treated to some very minor changes. Toyota’s press release claims changes to the rear suspension settings and ‘mounting bolt changes’ in the steering system.

There’s also some extra aluminium in the front and rear bumpers to improve aerodynamic performance and reprofiled brake ducting. The updates are yet to be confirmed for Australia.

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Americans now get 'our' GR Corolla spec – nice

As for the new Premium trim in the US, it’s just like our GR Corolla featuring ‘Brin Naub’ suede cloth upholstery on heated front seats paired with a heated leather-appointed steering wheel, red brake calipers, eight-speaker JBL stereo, wireless charging pad and a pair of limited-slip rear differentials.

With the Morizo edition potentially on shakey ground, we’d love to see the five-seat US-spec Circuit Edition offered locally. It’s effectively a Morizo-lite with the same 18-inch forged BBS alloys joining a bulging bonnet, forged carbon fiber roof, flared guards, and more aggressive gloss black rear spoiler.

There are no changes to the 221kW/370Nm ‘G16E-GTS’ 1.6-litre turbo-petrol three-cylinder, adjustable GR-Four all-wheel drive system or six-speed manual transmission (though an eight-speed auto has been rumoured down the track).

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These Gazoo Racing lowering springs will be available to purchase from dealers

Performance parts straight from Toyota dealers

Plenty of GR Yarises and Corollas have already been treated to extensive modification by the aftermarket, and Toyota’s keen to get in on the action.

Like BMW’s M Performance range, Toyota Gazoo Racing will offer hop-up parts for the GR Corolla through official channels by the end of the year – at least in the United States. Australian plans are as yet unknown.

Owners will be able to order OEM-approved lowering springs and higher-performance dampers for a more focused ride. The Circuit pack rear wing will also be available to order for owners of ‘Core’ and ‘Premium’ trims.

As yet, there are no plans to offer these hop-up parts in Australian dealers.