--- title: "Toyota Corolla GRMN Leak Reveals Carbon Hood, Gold Wheels, and Hardcore Seats" date: "2025-09-12" modified: "2025-09-12" authors: - name: "Adam Ismail" job_title: "Senior Editor" link: "https://www.thedrive.com/authors/adam-ismail" url: "https://www.thedrive.com/news/toyota-corolla-grmn-leak-reveals-carbon-hood-gold-wheels-and-hardcore-seats" categories: - "News" - "News by Brand" - "Toyota News" tags: - "compact" - "GR Corolla" - "Hatchback" - "sports car" - "Toyota" --- # Toyota Corolla GRMN Leak Reveals Carbon Hood, Gold Wheels, and Hardcore Seats ![Toyota GR Corolla in red on dirt road]() *\Caleb Jacobs\* Toyota started [teasing a hotter version of the GR Corolla]() back in the spring, which was surprisingly early given that the vehicle still hasn't been officially revealed. Perhaps the company chose that route to get ahead of leaks, which are now rolling in with full force as uncamouflaged photos and videos of the car are reaching the internet. The hot hatch seen here was apparently captured at a [Toyota]() dealer event before being shared on the [GR Corolla Forum](), and it seems pretty authentic to a supposed upcoming GRMN model. The aggressive fender vents correspond to those from Toyota's official media back in the spring, as do the winglets at the edges of the front bumper. With the wrap off, we can see that the vented hood is made of visible carbon twill, like a tuner car from 20 years ago. On the back, there's that large rear wing and a GRMN badge, leaving no doubt as to what this GR Corolla will be dubbed. The leaker even panned around the interior, which revealed a few more important details. Just like on the Morizo Edition, the GRMN will have no rear seat, something we spotted in earlier pictures. The steering wheel and shift boot again look to be clad in suede, which isn't the case for [normal GR Corollas](). But the biggest surprise is the seats; they're completely different from the thrones in mass-market versions of the car. They've got more hardcore bolstering and certainly look more like those of a race car, rather than a street car. You can see all of this in the video below. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nNouMfkAeFs Oh, and we shouldn't overlook the fact that the wheels are gold. They appear to be the same forged rims that the car was previously offered with, now in a different shade. What these leaks, of course, do not tell us is what Toyota has planned under the hood of the Corolla GRMN. Right now, the GR Corolla's turbocharged 1.6-liter three-cylinder makes 300 horsepower and 295 lb-ft of torque. It is a pretty highly-stressed mill, but Toyota did hint at "a bump in torque" back in April. The GRMN could also be fitted with the Morizo's gearbox, with its shorter gear ratios built for the track. https://www.instagram.com/p/DOb5qRRk3on/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link Whatever the more aggressive exterior conceals, we shouldn't have to wait long to find out. The [spring teaser]() encouraged us to "stay tuned for more information in Fall 2025." Sure, everyone *feels* like autumn kicks in the day after Labor Day, but it's actually just 10 days away. *Got a tip? Email us at tips@thedrive.com*[]() ## Author Adam is a Senior Editor at The Drive, concentrating on curating and developing the site's slate of daily journalism, from initial pitch to final copy edit. When he's not at his desk researching leads and working with writers, he's testing vehicles or reviewing racing games, new and old. He joined The Drive in 2023, following seven years of covering consumer technology and cars. A car lover and gamer since his earliest memories, Adam came to know the automotive world through video games. First it was Daytona USA, Sega Rally, and Ridge Racer; then came Need For Speed, which inspired an encyclopedic knowledge of '90s supercars, and, of course, Gran Turismo. If not for them, he'd assuredly be doing something else right now. Adam is based in the suburbs outside Philly, where there are ample roads for his hot hatch to stretch its legs. In his car, he's probably listening to indie rock, drum and bass, or Yankees baseball. ### Author social links [Bluesky]() [Instagram]() [LinkedIn]()