Ahead of Malaysia, Thailand to be first in SEA to launch Toyota GR Corolla in Nov, Morizo to attend

Following our earlier report that Vietnam will be first country in the region to launch the FL5 Honda Civic Type R, we can now confirm that Thailand too will be launching the Civic Type R’s all-wheel drive rival the Toyota GR Corolla, ahead of Malaysia.

Thailand will be first country in Southeast Asia to launch the Toyota GR Corolla, at next month’s Thailand International Motor Expo, which will open on 30-November.

Rumour has it that Toyota's Subaru WRX-driving President Akio ‘Morizo’ Toyoda - who holds an FIA Class C racing license - will also be attending the launch as Toyota Motor Thailand will be celebrating its 60th anniversary.

Also read: Think the Toyota GR Corolla is too similar to an Impreza WRX? It's because President Toyoda has a Subaru

Unlike the homologation special 25,000 units-only Toyota GR Yaris, there will be no volume cap for the GR Corolla.

As a recap, the GR Corolla is powered by the same 1.6-litre turbocharged 3-cylinder engine as the GR Yaris, but fettled to develop 304 PS and 370 Nm – 39 PS and 10 Nm more than the GR Yaris.

Like the Honda Civic Type R, the GR Corolla is not for posers or pretenders. It is only available with a 6-speed manual, with power channelled to all four wheels via the GR all-wheel drive system, which can split power from 50/50 front:rear to 30/70.

Toyota GR Corolla to launch in Malaysia in Q1 2023

It is an open UMW Toyota Motor will be launching the GR Corolla very soon. Although the order books have yet to open, dealers say that more than 50 customers have already paid their booking money, asking dealers to put their names in the minute the order books are opened.

Prices have yet to be confirmed, but the Mk8 Volkswagen Golf R’s RM 356,412 price serves as a reasonable benchmark.

Also read: Malaysian fans can expect the Toyota GR Corolla to launch after 2023 Toyota GR86