Toyota newly announced the release of their showstopping 2023 GR Corolla, a hot hatch model perfect for drivers in search of a stylish yet high-performance vehicle. 360 Magazine had the opportunity to attend the official vehicle reveal in Long Beach, California to soak up the opulence of the new style.
360, too, sat down with Thomas Sondej and Paul Hogard from Toyota to chat about what went into the planning and design process for such an elevated model on 360’s very own podcast, 360 MAG: A No-Nonsense Conversation.
The reveal of the brand new 2023 GR Corolla launched on March 31, where 360 was invited to attend the Toyota Performance Vehicle Reveal and Dinner. On-site, prototypes of the two grades of the GR Corolla were shown off and tested to reveal a few of the vehicle’s capabilities.
Beautifully designed, the space emulated the rich supersonic red and sleek silver aspects showcased in the new Toyota styles. Lights sparkled over the GR Corolla as it drifted and drove for the audience to awe in the model’s glory.
During 360 MAG: A No-Nonsense Conversation, 360’s President Vaughn Lowery and Creative Director Armon Hayes conversed on-site at Thunder Studios located in Long Beach with Sondej and Hogard to discuss all things Toyota GR Corolla.
Sondej works in the product education/marketing department, while Hogard specializes in product PR for Toyota. Lowery and Hayes learned that this specific, advanced hot hatch model has been in the works for quite some time, dating all the way back to 2018.
The 2023 GR Corolla was designed to appeal to a well-versed demographic. Allowing for a heightened driving experience with customizable design features, the GR Corolla appeals to several ages and aesthetic points of views. The high-performance aspects of the vehicle were constructed with a specific person in mind, though: adrenaline junkies. If you enjoy partaking in heart pumping activities like skateboarding or sky diving in your free time, the GR Corolla was crafted with the thrill seekers in mind.
Equipped with manual transmission, the hot hatch is built with a 1.6 L turbo engine that generates a whopping 300 horsepower. The GR force system of the GR Corolla allows for a selection of three settings of torque. You can switch from 60/40 for everyday driving, to 30/70 while traveling down windy roads, or to the 50/50 track utilized for needed stability when moving through snow/gravel.
A well-versed model, the GR Corolla allows for differing customizability’s to match your desired aesthetic. Between the two grades of core and circuit, there is a selection of colors to choose from ranging from red, white, black and silver. With impeccable styling showcased through the eye-catching exterior, the GR Corolla reminds us of top high-performance vehicles across the globe, guaranteed to match your vibes.
Some of the most noteworthy and unique elements of the hot hatch stem from its interior. Inside, the GR Corolla sports a Toyota multi-media system that is entirely touch screen while allowing for great device connectivity. The system allows utilization of your favorite methods like Apple CarPlay and Amazon Alexa, but you’ll be stunned with your very own “Ask Toyota” functionality. You can easily ask your Toyota a question by stating, “Hey Toyota,” and the car will be there to assist.
The climate of the inside of the car can, too, be controlled through the touch screen or “Ask Toyota” feature. Showing off a fully digital interior system, the speedometer display is also digitized, and shifts design format depending on the selected drive mode. That’s right, as you switch from sport, normal and eco functions, the color/design of the digital dashboard changes also.
Crafted out of the Toyota GR Factory in Japan, the GR Corolla was created with a hand-built approach to ensure the finest quality for consumers. Guaranteeing a modern build and design methodology for the latest hot hatch from Toyota, you’ll want to get your hands on the GR Corolla when it drops later this year.
Article: McKinley Franklin, Armon Hayes, Vaughn Lowery
