UMW TOYOTA MOTOR LAUNCHES THE 2026 TOYOTA GR COROLLA AUTOMATIC & ALSO ANNOUNCES OTHER UPDATES TO GR VEHICLES HERE IN MALAYSIA

 On Saturday, the 10th of January 2026, UMW Toyota Motor Sdn Bhd (UMWT) officially launched the 2026 Toyota GR Corolla Automatic Transmission (AT) in Malaysia, expanding access to Toyota Gazoo Racing’s race-bred performance for a wider group of drivers. The sports C segment hatch, has been designed for those who aspire to experience the thrill of a motorsports developed car but prefer the ease and confidence of an automatic, the GR Corolla AT combines high-performance engineering with intuitive control and everyday use without compromising the authentic GR driving character. 

SO this is 'easy mode; GR. Well, not really. This is not to say that only 'real men' drive manual transmissions, but in this day and age, especially in traffic jam packed regions like the Klang Valley and the fact that car ownership may only mean one nice car at a time, an automatic performance hatchback actually makes sense. This is age catching up with the writer of this blog, an decades of driving in traffic has mellowed him. I do like options given to customers, especially if it makes like easier for most people. 

There is also another twist I usually like to add, the car makes 300ps and 400nm torque (and 0-100kmhy in 5.3seconds). These figures actually make the car close to a handful going up a twisty mountain road and using pedal shifters and keeping your hands on the steering wheel also makes it a good drive for people who only drive enthusiastically on weekend. I have always believed that things get really 'fun' for most people when it hits 300ps. So, automatic or manual, this is the tipping point for pedal shifters or a stick shift. Of course, some may argue that since this is an all-wheel drive, with torsen diffs, it can handle the power. But, I digress, let's get back to the topic at hand.

So, the new GR Corolla is equipped with the 8-speed GAZOO Racing Direct Automatic Transmission (GR-DAT), the GR Corolla AT delivers fast, precise shifts developed through motorsports, while offering smooth and confidence for daily driving. Paired with its practical 5-door hatchback layout, the GR Corolla AT allows driver to enjoy exhilarating performance in a form that fits seamlessly into everyday life.

Datuk Ravindran K., President of UMW Toyota Motor, said, "Toyota Gazoo Racing pushes every GR car to its limits, and the GR Corolla carries that same intensity on the road. From the very beginning, it has been about delivering the raw feel, response and intensity of a race-bred machine. With the introduction of the GR Corolla AT, that experience is now more accessible, without compromising its GR character. It remains a car that excites, builds confidence and rewards the driver, allowing more Malaysians to experience authentic GR performance behind the wheel.”

Alongside the launch of the Automatic variant, UMWT also introduced improved updates across the entire GR Corolla range, benefitting both the newly launched AT and the existing GR Corolla Manual Transmission (MT) variant. These updates reinforce Toyota GAZOO Racing’s philosophy of continuous improvement, refining performance, control, and driver confidence through real-world testing and motorsports learnings.

In addition to performance-focused updates, both variants now feature Blind Spot Monitor (BSM) to enhance everyday safety and awareness, as well as a new 10-inch display screen that delivers clearer vehicle information and a more intuitive driver interface— ensuring that advanced technology supports both spirited driving and everyday usability.

The 2026 GR Corolla (AT) is priced from RM378,950 in Peninsular Malaysia and RM 233,500 in Langkawi, while the GR Corolla (MT) is offered from RM368,950 and RM227,300, respectively.

As the fourth model in Toyota’s GR Series, the GR Corolla reflects GAZOO Racing’s philosophy of building cars through motorsports and refining them for the road. Lessons drawn from Super Taikyu, the Japanese Rally Championship, and extensive testing at Fuji International Speedway have been shaped the 2026 GR Corolla, enhancing performance limits while ensuring controllability, precision and usability remain central to the driving experience.

The GR-DAT introduces a new driving dimension to the GR Corolla lineup. Drive mode delivers smooth acceleration with intelligent gear selection, while SPORT mode sharpens  throttle response and delivers more aggressive shift logic for spirited driving. Sequential- style M-mode enhances driver involvement, while Launch Start Control enables controlled, confidence-building acceleration from a standstill. 

Suspension and ABS tuning have also been refined to further improve stability, braking, and cornering performance. Visually, the GR Corolla retains its bold, motorsports-inspired design with purposeful refinements to improve airflow, cooling efficiency, and stability. Its wide stance and 5-doorhatchback design balances aggressive performance with everyday practicality, making it a performance car designed to be driven, shared, and enjoyed every day.

More than a performance machine, the GR Corolla reconnects drivers with the joy of driving. It allows long-time enthusiasts to rediscover their passion while enabling a new generation to experience authentic motorsport-inspired performance for the first time.

The 2026 GR Corolla AT, together with the improved GR Corolla MT range, is now available in Malaysia through selected GR Garage dealerships nationwide, supported by comprehensive aftersales services and Toyota’s quality assurance.

Discover the GR Corolla range at www.toyota.com.my or experience it at selected GR Garage dealerships nationwide.

PRODUCT SUMMARY - 2026 TOYOTA GR COROLLA AUTOMATIC LAUNCH, WITH ADDED FEATURES ACROSS THE RANGE

The GR Corolla has been in the world market since 2022, one of the models in Toyota’s

GR line of high-performance models with motorsport DNA. For 2026, the Toyota GR

Corolla Automatic Transmission (AT) is introduced to the Malaysian market,

expanding the GR Corolla lineup with the 8-speed GAZOO Racing Direct Automatic

Transmission (GR-DAT) developed to deliver motorsport-bred performance with

greater accessibility, while retaining agile handling, dynamic performance, and sporty

styling in a practical 5-door hot hatch.

In the spirit of kaizen (constant improvement) and the quest to offer ever-better cars,

the 2026 Toyota GR Corolla introduces enhancements across the GR Corolla range,

applicable to both the newly launched GR Corolla AT and the previously introduced GR

Corolla Manual Transmission (MT). These updates are shaped by real-world motorsport

experience, with development focused on strengthening core performance and driver

confidence under extreme conditions, guided by feedback from professional racing

drivers, team members, and Master Driver Akio Toyoda, also known as ‘Morizo’.

NEW TRANSMISSION ADDITION

Much of the development work has been done on the drivetrain, specifically the 8-

speed GAZOO Racing Direct Automatic Transmission (GR-DAT). The improvements aim

to give it advantages over a manual transmission (MT) and enhance its appeal to

drivers. To achieve this, the engineers shortened shift times and optimised gear

selection.

Programming for each mode has been revised to suit the mode better (SPORT, Normal

and ECO). SPORT mode, in particular, received a lot of attention, with extensive testing

conducted in many regions, off-road terrain, and circuits, where GAZOO Racing Direct

Automatic Transmission-equipped vehicles come standard with an air-cooled

automatic transmission fluid (ATF) cooler in addition to a water-cooled ATF fluid

warmer and cooler that also promotes engine warm-up. Also, with an eye toward

sports driving, an added sub-radiator enhances engine cooling, while an air intake

opening in the lower grill helps cool the air-cooled ATF cooler, teaming up with an air

exhaust opening in one of the front bumper’s side ducts to smoothen cooling air

discharge.

One of the changes made from feedback from professional drivers was the reversal of

the M range shift pattern. This was also supported by the Master Driver Morizo. The

shifting action thus differs from the way it moves with the CVT in the Corolla Hatchback

by pushing for downshifting (for deceleration) and pulling back to shift up (for

acceleration). It gives a sequential-like feel, appreciated by enthusiasts and racing

drivers.

For global top-level shifting change speeds (in M mode), a highly responsive linear

solenoid with a compact valve body is used. This controls the hydraulic pressure for

each clutch and each brake inside the transmission to achieve greater responsiveness.

Along with this change, the friction material for the clutches and brakes inside have

also been upgraded to have higher heat resistance. This ensures consistent

performance even during high-load usage, typical in competition conditions.

LAUNCH START CONTROL

Launch Start Control has been added to the 2026 GR Corolla AT. A feature usually

found in high-performance cars; this enables maximum power to be transmitted to the

road for the quickest acceleration time. As there is a limit to the grip available from even

the best tyres, it is necessary to control power output at the precise moment of starting

off. Minimising wheelspin is vital to have a strong and positive take-off.

To achieve this, the GR Corolla AT has a Launch Start Control system that raises engine

speed to more than the normal ‘stall start’, where the driver would fully depress the

accelerator pedal while also pressing the brake pedal with the left foot. With the

Launch Start Control, he only has to keep the brake pedal depressed and then press

the accelerator pedal when a ‘LAUNCH READY’ message flashes on the instrument

panel.

This system is exclusive to the GR Corolla AT and is activated when the car is stationary

with the brake pedal depressed while both paddle shifters are pulled together. It

operates only in SPORT mode with EXPERT mode on or when VSC is switched off.

As always, there are also other small improvements in other areas to enhance the

overall driving experience. For example, the ABS programming now gives more stable

braking on any surface, while suspension revisions improve stability during fast and

hard cornering.

RETAINED ENGINE AND AERODYNAMICS

The highly potent G16E-GTS 1.6-litre 3-cylinder turbocharged engine continues to

deliver enhanced torque, strengthening re-acceleration that can be useful in

competition conditions. Cooling performance remains supported with an opening in

the lower part of the grille for the sub-radiator.

The front bumper and grille design, along with side ducts on each side of the front

bumper, are retained to manage airflow effectively, helping to optimise cooling

efficiency while reducing turbulence and wind resistance. These proven engine and

aerodynamic elements remain unchanged from earlier specifications and continue to

support the GR Corolla’s track-focused performance.

INTERIOR UPDATES

The driver-focused interior remains the same as in the 2025 model, with the only visible

change being the shifter in the GR Corolla AT. There is nothing superfluous in the

layout, and every switch and control is positioned for quick access and operation. The

driver is kept informed by the Head-Up Display (HUD) on the windscreen,

supplementing the instrument panel ahead of the steering wheel. Wireless Apple

CarPlay/Android Auto has been added to the 10-inch Display Audio for easier

connectivity.

New for 2026 is the inclusion of a Blind Spot Monitor (BSM) on the left and right door

mirrors. Although the GR Corolla is designed for competition use, there will also be

owners who drive it on public roads, and BSM will enhance their driving safety by

helping them be aware of other vehicles in the blind spots. The brightness of the BSM

indicator embedded on the mirror surface can be adjusted to suit ambient lighting

conditions.

ONLY FROM GR GARAGES

The 2026 GR Corolla Automatic Transmission (AT) is offered starting from RM378,950 in Peninsular Malaysia and RM233,500 in Langkawi, while the GR Corolla Manual Transmission (MT) starts from RM368,950 in Peninsular Malaysia and RM227,300 in Langkawi.

The GR Corolla and other GR models are marketed exclusively through GR Garages at selected authorised Toyota dealerships in Malaysia. These outlets provide full after- sales support as well as sell GR accessories and merchandise.