Toyota Corolla GRMN Leak Unveils Carbon Fiber Hood, Gold Wheels, and Sporty Seats

      Caleb Jacobs

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      Toyota began teasing a more powerful version of the GR Corolla earlier this spring, which was notably premature considering the vehicle has not yet been officially unveiled. This strategy may have been intended to preempt leaks, which are now coming in strong as unmasked images and videos of the car are surfacing online.

      The hot hatch seen here was reportedly photographed at a Toyota dealer event and shared on the GR Corolla Forum, appearing quite authentic for the anticipated GRMN model. The bold fender vents match those from Toyota’s official media releases earlier this spring, as do the winglets at the sides of the front bumper. With the wrap removed, we can see that the vented hood features visible carbon twill, reminiscent of tuner cars from two decades ago. At the rear, there is a prominent wing and a GRMN badge, clearly indicating the name of this GR Corolla variant.

      The leaker also provided a glimpse of the interior, unveiling some additional significant details. Similar to the Morizo Edition, the GRMN will lack a rear seat, as we noted in prior images. The steering wheel and shift boot appear to be covered in suede, a departure from the standard GR Corollas. However, the biggest shock is the seats; they differ entirely from those found in the regular versions of the car. These seats feature more robust bolstering, resembling those found in race cars rather than in street models. You can view all of this in the video below.

      Additionally, the wheels should not go unnoticed; they are gold. They seem to be the same forged rims that were previously available for the car, now presented in a new color.

      What these leaks don’t reveal, however, is what Toyota has in store for the GRMN's engine. Currently, the GR Corolla's turbocharged 1.6-liter three-cylinder engine produces 300 horsepower and 295 lb-ft of torque. It is a highly stressed engine, but Toyota hinted at “an increase in torque” back in April. The GRMN may also come with the Morizo’s transmission, which features shorter gear ratios tailored for track performance.

      Whatever the more aggressive exterior may be hiding, we shouldn’t have to wait too long to find out. The spring teaser advised us to “stay tuned for more information in Fall 2025.” While many perceive autumn as starting right after Labor Day, it is actually just 10 days away.

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