Ken Gushi, Toyota Formula Drift driver, shares some key racing tips.
The Toyota GR Corolla is a hot hatch. Although it won’t be available for purchase until later in the year, AutoGuide.com put Ken Gushi, Toyota Formula Drift driver, behind the wheel to demonstrate the car’s capabilities on the track. Gushi also offers some racing tips that anyone can use on the track.
Gushi provides a detailed overview of racing basics, both on the track as well as on the dirt. The new -GR Corolla has all-wheel drive which gives the hatch greater agility. Gushi covers cornering and braking, showing the difference between the car’s performance on dirt roads and on asphalt. Gushi provides a detailed overview on how to heel-and-toe or left-foot brake properly, which can save precious seconds in your lap time.
The Toyota GR Corolla offers many improvements over the standard model. It is powered by the G16E–GTS 1.6-liter turbocharged, three-cylinder engine that produces 300 horsepower (224 Kilowatts) as well as 273 pound-feet (273 Newton-meters). It is controlled by a six-speed manual gearbox that has rev-matching capability. Gushi also shows how to heel and toe with cars that do not have this feature. You can choose from different torque split settings for the hatchback all-wheel drive system.
Toyota has gone beyond enhancing the Corolla’s engine to create the GR version. This model is based on modified versions of the GA-C platform. However, it has received structural adhesive and additional weld point for increased rigidity. Toyota uses aluminum to make the front doors and the hood, which helps keep the weight down.
The GR Corolla will be available in its Core variant before the year ends. While the more popular Circuit Edition variants of the Corolla will be available in 2023, Toyota was so overwhelmed by demand, it had to inform some dealers in certain parts of the country to cease taking orders. It plans to make just 6,500 units in its first year. The car looks great on the track and off. Toyota has not yet revealed the price of the car.