Toyota Releases Limited Editions of the GR Corolla, GR Supra, and GR86

by Matt Posky

Published: June 22nd, 2023

toyota releases limited editions of the gr corolla gr supra and gr86

Eager to continue showcasing its performance products sold under the Gazoo Racing banner, Toyota has introduced special editions of the GR Corolla, GR86, and GR Supra. Sadly, this makes them limited in nature and subject to dealer markups you might not want to deal with. However, if you’re looking for a collectible Toyota to keep in your garage for a few decades, these models are probably worth looking into.

Let’s start with the GR Corolla Circuit Edition

When Toyota introduced the rally-inspired version of the all-wheel drive Corolla, it said that the Circuit Edition would be limited to its introductory year. The public became outraged, as the $51,420 Morizo Edition was fairly expensive and produced in limited quantities. But it was also the only way to get the Corolla with additional strut braces, track-tuned suspension, rear-seat delete, tighter gear ratios, and an upgraded version of the G16E-GTS 1.6L turbo Inline 3-cylinder offering 300 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque lower in the rev range. And we haven’t even gotten into the trim's upgraded looks and weight reduction.

However, that’s a lot of money to ask for a Corolla that’s going to be impossible to find, harder to live with, and subject to heinous dealer markups. The Circuit Edition offered a nice compromise and is basically a glitzed-up version of the Core trim with better upholstery and limited slip differentials.

While this very website has already advised you to find a $36,995 Core trim and option the performance package, Toyota is bringing back the Circuit Edition for another year (limiting production to 1,600 units) and trying to sweeten the pot by tweaking chassis and aerodynamics to produce what it claims is a more stable platform.

There have also been some color changes. For the 2024 model year, the Corolla gets black 18-inch forged aluminum BBS wheels as standard and your choice of Blue Flame and Ice Cap exterior paint if you’re not satisfied with any of the original hues. The Circuit Edition of the hatchback will also boast blue accents on the shift knob and interior stitching and comes standard with the JBL premium audio system.

But if only rear-drive sports cars will do for you, Toyota also has the GR86 Trueno Edition on offer. Limited to just 860 units, this is an appearance and performance package serving as an homage to the AE86 Sprinter Trueno produced between 1983 and 1987. Though, since the GR86 doesn’t have pop-up headlights, Toyota probably could have called this the Corolla Levin Edition (though our market received the Corolla GT-S).

Customers receive black and white (or red) paint reminiscent of the Japanese market AE86. The hood has been made black, ditto for the mirror caps, and there are matching stripes down the sides. It even comes with a black rear spoiler. However, Toyota stopped short of painting the bumpers (even though the original Trueno’s were black) because it likely would have given the car the same polarizing appearance as the Hyundai Elantra N.

The cabin boasts a dash plaque reminding them of their car’s limited run and there are some Trueno logos scattered both inside and out. Powertrain options are limited to the naturally aspirated 2.4-liter FA-24 engine yielding 228 hp and 184 lb-ft of torque and is tuned so that peak oomph arrives at 3,700 RPM. Considering that the car only weighs 2,811 pounds if you run it with the manual transmission, that’s enough power for a good time with 60 mph being available in just 6.1 seconds.

Trueno Editions come with Toyota’s Upgraded Performance Package that adds nitrogen-filled SACHS dampers and Brembo brakes. The latter comes as 4-piston front and 2-piston rear brake calipers biting onto smooth-surfaced 12.8 x 1.3-inch front rotors, with 2.4 x 0.79-inch rotors located in the rear. While the package is available across the GR86 line, the Trueno comes with a unique set of black metallic finished 18-inch, 10-spoke aluminum alloy wheels.

The 2024 GR Supra is also getting some attention, with Toyota offering a 45th Anniversary Edition. Only 900 examples will be produced for the United States, with those numbers being split between two colors — Mikan Blast (orange) and Absolute Zero (white).

Anniversary Edition Supras are based on the 3.0 Premium trim and come with the 382-horsepower, turbocharged 3.0-liter six-cylinder. While we’d imagine most versions will be sold with the 8-speed automatic, Toyota said 6-speed manual variants will also be available.

The car is supposed to pay tribute to customized versions of the MkIV Supra and comes with an enlarged (adjustable) rear spoiler, matte-black wheels, black GR brake calipers, and a black Supra graphic on its side. It’s not nearly as wild as some of those custom MkIV models ended up becoming. But it’s nice to see Toyota paying attention to its performance lineup after effectively lacking one for so many years.

GR Supra 45th Anniversary models are expected to arrive at Toyota dealerships in the fall of 2023. Pricing for the special edition model and details for the complete 2024 GR Supra lineup will be shared closer to launch. That’s likewise true for the Trueno Edition of the GR86 and Circuit Edition of the GR Corolla — both of which should be arriving this winter.

[Images: Toyota Motor Corp.]

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Matt Posky

A staunch consumer advocate tracking industry trends and regulation. Before joining TTAC, Matt spent a decade working for marketing and research firms based in NYC. Clients included several of the world’s largest automakers, global tire brands, and aftermarket part suppliers. Dissatisfied with the corporate world and resentful of having to wear suits everyday, he pivoted to writing about cars. Since then, that man has become an ardent supporter of the right-to-repair movement, been interviewed on the auto industry by national radio broadcasts, driven more rental cars than anyone ever should, participated in amateur rallying events, and received the requisite minimum training as sanctioned by the SCCA. Handy with a wrench, Matt grew up surrounded by Detroit auto workers and managed to get a pizza delivery job before he was legally eligible. He later found himself driving box trucks through Manhattan, guaranteeing future sympathy for actual truckers. He continues to conduct research pertaining to the automotive sector as an independent contractor and has since moved back to his native Michigan, closer to where the cars are born. A contrarian, Matt claims to prefer understeer — stating that front and all-wheel drive vehicles cater best to his driving style.

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3 of 6 comments

Cprescott on Jun 22, 2023

Ugly and tacky. Oh, what a feeling! (HURL) TOYODUH!

1 Reply
- Tassos on Jun 23, 2023
  
  Talk about worthless (as opposed to useful and informative) advertising.
  
  What a feeling, driving a damn Toyota???? The feeling of having sex with a dead fish.
  
  1
- Stuki Moi on Jun 23, 2023
  
  "What a feeling, driving a damn Toyota????" The GR Yaris, and the 86, are the two most communicative vehicles currently on sale (not sure about the Corolla, but I assume t's not too far behind the all-conquering Yaris). Miata, Civic R and GT3 amd Alpine possibly excepted. Still dead fish compared to even a comparatively "boring" motorcycle. But as cars go, Toyota is increasingly it, as far as drivers' cars go.
  
  1
Tanzeel on Sep 16, 2023

automakers frequently release limited-edition variants of their vehicles to generate excitement and cater to enthusiasts. But they can't!

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