It’s been just over a year, but the Toyota GR Corolla finally receives an eight-speed automatic gearbox as promised during the launch of the facelifted model in 2025. The self-shifting hot hatch is priced at RM378,950 on-the-road without insurance, which is RM10,000 more than the purist-friendly six-speed manual model. A five-year, unlimited-mileage warranty is included, as usual.
The biggest change here is the gearbox, obviously – called the Gazoo Racing Direct Automatic Transmission (DAT), it differs from a typical slushbox by being tuned for circuit driving. This is aimed at delivering the fastest possible downshifts and anticipating the right gear selection based on brake and throttle input, instead of only vehicle behaviour – leading to shifting that Toyota says is similar to a professional driver’s.
The gearbox also gets heat-resistant clutch material, a new torque control system, a compact, high-response linear solenoid and a transmission fluid cooler, the latter fed by intakes in the front bumper corners. Exclusive to the auto model is launch control for optimised off-the-line acceleration. Of course, drivers can take over the shifting experience by using either the paddle shifters or the back-to-front sequential gate (push backwards to shift up, forwards to shift down, ideal for spirited driving).
As you’d expect, the rest of the GR Corolla’s rally-inspired powertrain package is unchanged, including a 1.6 litre G16E-GTS turbo three-cylinder engine producing 300 PS at 6,500 rpm and 400 Nm of torque between 3,250 and 4,600 rpm. As part of last year’s facelift, peak torque has risen by 30 Nm, allowing both gearbox options to sprint from zero to 100 km/h in 5.3 seconds on their way to a top speed of 230 km/h.
Sending all that power and torque to all four wheels via a proprietary GR-Four all-wheel drive system, with a reconfigured torque split over the original 2023 model. Defaulting to 60:40 front-to-rear in Normal mode, it now goes to 50:50 in Gravel (previously 30:70 in Sport), while Track has a variable torque split from 60:40 to 30:70 depending on the driving conditions (previously locked at 50:50). Front and rear Torsen limited-slip differentials continue to come standard.
The MacPherson strut front and double-wishbone rear suspension was already tweaked last year to increase stability during hard cornering, while the ABS tuning was revised to ensure more consistent braking performance over a variety of surfaces. Updated for 2026 is the increased use of structural adhesives (32.7 metres, 13.9 metres more than before) for a more rigid structure and a cold air intake to reduce intake air temperatures, the latter visible on the front left corner of the engine bay.
Beyond that, the GR Corolla is pretty much as per last year, featuring a redesigned front bumper with new brake ducts, air curtains, a fog light delete and the aforementioned larger intakes that also feed a sub-radiator. A vented bonnet, a carbon fibre roof, a sizeable rear wing, a distinctive triple-exit exhaust setup and blistered and vented fenders remain, the latter housing 18-inch Enkei multi-spoke alloy wheels shod with Yokohama Advan Apex V601 tyres.
Inside, you get a recognisable Corolla interior with a unique smaller-diameter steering wheel, GR-branded bucket seats with adjustable headrests and performance screens for the 12.3-inch instrument display. This being an automatic, you of course get a different gearlever and two instead of three aluminium pedals.
Spec changes include an inch-larger ten-inch touchscreen head unit (still with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto) and blind spot monitoring, the latter joining the Toyota Safety Sense suite of driver assists such as autonomous emergency braking, adaptive cruise control (auto gets stop and go for full Level 2 semi-autonomous driving), lane centring assist, traffic sign recognition and auto high beam.
The rest of the standard kit is unchanged and includes bi-LED projector headlights, keyless entry, push-button start, Brin Naub faux leather and suede upholstery, dual-zone auto air con, a head-up display, six speakers, a Qi wireless charger, a dash cam and a reverse camera. Colour options are the same as before and include Precious Metal, Super White II, Emotional Red II and Black. Which would you pick – the new automatic, or the good old-fashioned manual? Let us know in the comments.
The post Toyota GR Corolla AT in Malaysia – 8-speed GR DAT, 0-100 km/h 5.3 secs, RM10k more than 6MT at RM379k appeared first on Paul Tan’s Automotive News.
