Hold on, I have a meme for this before all the standard (get it!?) automatic vs manual posts:
Sorry if the resizing isn't working and the picture is showing up huge for everyone....
Photography Courtesy Toyota
How to get your performance car into the hands of more buyers? Add an option for an automatic gearbox.
That’s exactly what Toyota has done with the 2025 GR Corolla, offering customers an eight-speed automatic–officially known as the “GAZOO Racing Direct Automatic Transmission,” or DAT–in addition to the six-speed manual already available.
What makes the DAT so unique, according to Toyota, is its programming. Whereas the auto-boxes in the Supra and GR86 change gears based on changes in the car’s behavior (speed, g-forces, etc.), the DAT “delicately senses” how the driver operates the accelerator and brake pedals.
Although we don’t totally understand what that means, Toyota adds that with the information gleaned from the pedals, the DAT “anticipates when gear shifting is optimal even before changes in vehicle behavior occur, achieving gear selection that reflects the driver’s intentions and, thus, leads to shifting that is similar to that of professional drivers.”
Toyota hopes that the special programming of the DAT will allow a wider range of “non-professional drivers” the ability to “drive faster if they decide to hit the track.”
Also of note, all GR Corollas equipped with the eight-speed auto come standard with an automatic transmission fluid cooler.
Regardless of the transmission choice, however, the team at Gazoo managed to squeeze an additional 22 lb.-ft. of torque out of the GR Corolla’s turbo inline-three, raising output from 271 to 295 lb.-ft. of torque.
Handling has also been improved for 2025, as all versions of the GR Corolla will come standard with the front and rear Torsen limited-slip differentials.
In addition, after testing the GR Corolla “with the same approach used when developing a race car for the Super Taikyu,” Toyota has fitted the car with rebound springs front and back to better reduce inner wheel lift, made improvements to the rear coil springs and stabilizer bars to increase controllability during turns and raised the mounting points for the trailing arms to reduce squatting during acceleration.
The exterior of the GR Corolla has also been updated to make room for additional, optional cooling equipment–more on that in a second–as well as improved cooling and aerodynamics.
The 2025 GR Corolla will be available in three different flavors: The Core and Premium trims return, with a new “Premium Plus” trim added for the new model year.
In addition to a sub-radiator for improved cooling, the Premium Plus model also adds the forged carbon fiber roof, the “beloved” bulge hood with functional vents and matte black wheels. (The sub-radiator is also available as a factory-installed option on the Premium model.)
All versions of the GR Corolla come fitted with 235/40R18 Michelin Pilot Sport 4 tires wrapped around 18-inch wheels.
Pricing has not yet been announced, though you can expect to see the 2025 GR Corolla arrive at dealerships sometime this winter.
Hold on, I have a meme for this before all the standard (get it!?) automatic vs manual posts:
Sorry if the resizing isn't working and the picture is showing up huge for everyone....
I mean, the option of an automatic definitely makes it more appealing to me.
Colin Wood said:
How to get your performance car into the hands of more buyers? Add an option for an automatic gearbox.
Shouldn't they focus on building enough so that everybody who wants one can get one without a massive mark up before they start adding variants to the car?
I'm not surprised the GR Corolla got an automatic. If speed's your game, the automatic delivers. However, it certainly doesn't offer as much of a fun factor.
So the trans gets a cooler, good. Did I miss the part where GR addressed the reportedly overheating diffs that may benefit from some cooling?
Or, maybe it's all overblown "internetting" as is often the case.
Still love the idea that this car exists, though. I almost don't want them to eliminate the squat under acceleration and inner wheel lift in a turn. Those traits may not help ultimate lap times, but they can add character and fun.
But I don't own one so my statements are worth exactly what you paid to read them: nothing.
If you have one of these, enjoy the heck out of it for me!
In reply to Coniglio Rampante :
Inside rear tire lift with a Torsen forces the car to work the rear brakes a lot harder.
I had to look up what a "rebound spring" is, it has a similar function to a top-out spring in an MTB fork:
https://www.autoresource.co.uk/resources/kyb-technical-tip-rebound-springs/
I know its a different animal, but "automatic toyota corolla" gives me zero thoughts of excitement.
Driven5 said:In reply to Coniglio Rampante :
Inside rear tire lift with a Torsen forces the car to work the rear brakes a lot harder.
Oh yeah. 
Thanks, whenever I hear of inner (rear) tire lift, my mind goes to old fwd cars like Mini's, GTi's and such.
TJL (Forum Supporter) said:I know its a different animal, but "automatic toyota corolla" gives me zero thoughts of excitement.
I certainly hope this is common, because it'd be great if these cars didn't command a ridiculous market adjustment.
Displaying 1-10 of 31 commentsView all comments on the GRM forums
You'll need to log in to post.
