. . .Toyota has a car for you

By Gary S. Vasilash

The just-introduced Toyota GRMN Corolla can, according to the company, handle hot laps at the Nürburgring.

It has two seats.

So given where it can run and given the limitation in the number of passengers it can handle, odds are it won’t become a daily driver to take the kids to school or make Costco runs. As it is going to be available in an unspecified low quantity, that may not be an issue.

One interesting aspect of the GRMN Corolla is that its 300-hp, three-cylinder 1.6-liter engine was tuned taking cues from the hydrogen-powered engine that Toyota runs in a GR Corolla in the Super Taikyu Series.

To make it light, not only was the rear seat eliminated, but extensive use of carbon fiber was used. As in:

• Hood
• Front fenders
• Front side spoilers
• Rear wing

And the Carbon Section at the Toyota Motomachi Plant produced carbon fiber ornamentation for the instrument panel.

Speaking of the instrument panel, the pad surface features Morizo’s—a.k.a., Akio Toyoda’s—signature. As the chairman of Toyota Motor Corp.—and Master Driver—he’s the guy who can greenlight vehicles like the GRMN Corolla.

When you like to drive fast and you’re name is on the building that is the largest vehicle manufacturer in the world, why not?*

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*Yes, the company name is spelled “Toyota” and the family name “Toyoda,” but that was a business decision made back in 1936.