2026 Toyota GR Corolla launched in Japan, with improved cooling and body rigidity
[PCauto] TOYOTA GAZOO Racing (TGR) officially unveiled the 2026 GR Corolla recently and announced that orders are now being accepted at Toyota dealerships across Japan. The new car will go on sale starting November 3.
The upgrades for the 2026 GR Corolla are primarily based on experience from the Japanese Super Taikyu Series, focusing on enhancing body rigidity, optimizing the cooling system, and improving audio experiences, aiming to provide drivers with superior performance and daily practicality.
The upgraded GR Corolla not only performs better for regular urban driving but also handles high-intensity track environments such as the Nürburgring, embodying TGR’s philosophy of utilizing race technologies to benefit civilian vehicles.
New car enhances body rigidity by extending structural adhesive length
The total amount of structural adhesive in the 2026 GR Corolla has been increased from the current 18.8 meters to 32.7 meters, with an additional 13.9 meters primarily applied to the front body, floor, and rear wheel arch areas.
This improvement significantly enhances body torsional rigidity, with an estimated increase of 5% to 10%, thereby reducing front-end sliding and tire wear during high-speed cornering or when handling high lateral and vertical G-forces on overseas tracks, enhancing the driver’s sense of unity with the vehicle.
Weight increase is minimized to ensure the overall balance of the vehicle is not compromised.
2026 GR Corolla cooling system also receives significant upgrades
The new car adds a cooling duct integrated into the secondary intake pipe (located below the air filter), directly introducing outside air from the front intake grille.
This design activates at high engine speeds, reducing intake temperatures by 5°C to 10°C and increasing air density by approximately 1% to 2%.
The new cooling system ensures that the GR Corolla delivers more stable engine performance during prolonged full-throttle driving (such as track days or sustained high-load driving), reducing heat soak and turbo lag, and allowing the G16E-GTS 1.6L turbocharged 3-cylinder engine to fully unleash its potential of 304 horsepower and 400 N·m torque.
The number of speakers in the 2026 GR Corolla has been increased
In terms of the audio system, the JBL Premium Sound System (available as a factory-installed option) has been enhanced.
A subwoofer has been added to the trunk, increasing the total number of speakers from 8 to 9, improving audio clarity and bass performance.
Additionally, the system is equipped with Active Sound Control (ASC), which can emit sporty engine tones calibrated to match acceleration, deceleration, and shifting actions through the vehicle’s speakers, including simulated burbling sounds during gear shifts. ASC offers three sound modes that are linked to the driving mode, and it also supports volume adjustment or the option to mute.
In addition, the optimized Active Noise Control (ANC) reduces intrusive engine noise, enhancing everyday driving comfort.
The new car’s powertrain remains unchanged
The 2026 GR Corolla continues to be powered by a 1.6-liter turbocharged three-cylinder engine, delivering a maximum output of 304 horsepower (224kW) and 400N·m of torque. It is paired with either a 6-speed manual or 8-speed automatic transmission, along with the GR-FOUR all-wheel-drive system.
Notably, TGR has introduced a software upgrade program for existing owners, which is expected to be available in the spring of 2026. This upgrade can increase the maximum torque of the 2023 GR Corolla by 30N·m to reach 400N·m.
At the same time, the all-wheel-drive control system is adjusted: the original “REAR” mode with a 30:70 front-to-rear power distribution is replaced with “GRAVEL” mode at 50:50, and the “TRACK” mode becomes adjustable (ranging from 60:40 to 30:70).
The 2026 GR Corolla maintains its price in the Japanese market
The 2026 GR Corolla manual version is priced at 5,680,000 JPY (approximately 164,000 MYR);
The 2026 GR Corolla automatic version is priced at 5,980,000 JPY (approximately 171,000 MYR).
The upgrades to the GR Corolla have solidified its position in the performance car market, competing with high-end models such as the AMG A 45.
Although there are rumors that a high-performance GRMN version might be introduced, featuring carbon fiber components and Michelin CUP tires, the official release plan has not yet been confirmed.
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Smart launches its first PHEV in China, with a pure electric range of 252km and a combined range of 1615km
RobertSep 30, 2025, 11:46 AM
[PCauto] Smart, the joint venture between Benz and Geely, has officially launched the Smart #5 EHD, with a pre-sale price starting from 189,900 RMB (approx. 113,000 MYR). It is scheduled to go on the market in October.
Marking a radical pivot in strategy, Smart has debuted its first-ever PHEV model, a significant departure from its previous all-electric roadmap. This bold shift is underscored by the vehicle’s large-capacity battery pack and a more accessible price point, making a clear move towards broader market appeal.The Smart #5 EHD represents a potential watershed moment for the brand. It has already garnered significant market attention, primarily due to its exceptional long-range capabilities on a single charge.
Exterior: A Bold & Rugged Statement
The exterior design of the Smart #5 EHD carries forward the brand’s iconic ”Space Capsule” design philosophy, blending a monolithic, boxy silhouette with modern technological elements. Its overall dimensions are 4705mm in length, 1920mm in width, and 1710mm in height, with a wheelbase of 2900mm.
The front of the Smart #5 EHD features a sealed grille flanked by a full-width LED matrix light bar, which incorporates four individual light sources. The lower apron, finished in a matte-brushed texture, enhances the vehicle’s rugged and assertive character.
The hidden door handles on the side and 19-inch “Cosmos Roaming” wheels further elevate a cutting-edge technological aesthetic. A new fuel filler port has been added to the right rear fender, and the roof offers an optional lidar to support high-level autonomous driving features.
The rear is dominated by a full-width light bar utilizing 196 ultra-red LEDs, directly echoing the front lighting signature. This is complemented by gun-gray trim on the lower bumper and hidden exhaust outlets, which collectively enhance the design’s overall harmony and cohesion.
This design style, which combines square and round elements, precisely targets the urban high-end hybrid SUV market.Its rugged appearance and practical dimensions resonate strongly with users who value outdoor adventures and family excursions.
Interior: Premium Cabin with Spacious Practicality
In terms of the interior, the Smart #5 EHD adopts a wraparound cabin architecture that embodies a harmonious blend of functionality and sophisticated design.
Thanks to the boxy design and 2900mm wheelbase, the interior space is highly efficient and cleverly packaged. The vehicle leads the segment in both headroom and legroom, and the trunk capacity can be expanded to 1525L, supporting flexible layouts such as a “big bed,” making it suitable for family trips and outdoor scenarios.
In terms of materials, the high-end version features NAPPA genuine leather seats and HDD quilting technology. The interior color palette offers dual-tone options of light honey brown and obsidian black, and marks the first introduction of oak wood trim custom-developed by the Mercedes-Benz design team. The cabin’s sophistication is further elevated by chrome accents on details such as the air vents and door handles.
Technology configurations are a defing design highlight of the Smart #5 EHD interior. The five-screen interconnected system includes a 10.3-inch fully digital instrument cluster, dual 13-inch AMOLED displays (2.5K resolution), and a 25.6-inch AR-HUD head-up display, supporting multi-screen map transfer and independent entertainment control.
To ensure smooth operation of the vehicle system, the Smart #5 EHD is powered by an AMD V2000 desktop-level chip, guaranteeing fluid and responsive multitasking capabilities.
In terms of intelligent interaction, it integrates AI large models and supports natural language commands such as playing music or controlling the air conditioning. The “Inspiration Planet 3.0” HMI interface is presented in a crystal prism style, and the Dynamic Smart Assistant enhances the user experience, making interactions more engaging and intuitive.
In terms of comfort, the high-end version offers zero-gravity seats, with the front passenger seat supporting a 121° recline angle and an 8-point airbag massage function. The front seats integrate ventilation and heating functions, while the rear seats support electric adjustment and heating. Additionally, it also features a CN95-grade air filtration system and active noise cancellation. This premium comfort is further enhanced by a 256-color ambient light array, with all systems working in harmony to ensure a relaxing environment.
In terms of intelligent driving support, the laser radar and dual NVIDIA Orin X chips provide 508 TOPS of computing power, enabling highway and city navigation assistance, LPA memory parking, and unprotected intersection avoidance functions, significantly boosting safety, stability, and handling when navigating complex road situations.
Smart #5 EHD hybrid technology originates from Geely
The Smart #5 EHD comes with EHD hybrid technology, fine-tuned based on Geely’s hybrid technology. This hybrid system supports five driving modes: pure electric, series, parallel, direct drive, and energy recovery.
The power unit includes a 1.5T hybrid-dedicated engine with a maximum power of 120kW (163 horsepower), ranking among the top in mass-produced engines.
The drive motor delivers a maximum power of 200kW (272 horsepower), enabling a 0-100km/h sprint in 5.9 seconds. The three-speed DHT gearbox supports cold starts at -30℃, with high-altitude power attenuation of only 3-4%.
Regarding the battery, it features a CATL 41.46kWh lithium iron phosphate battery, offering a CLTC pure electric range of 252km, fuel consumption of 4.4L/100km while running on depleted battery, and a combined range of up to 1615km.
In terms of charging efficiency, DC fast charging can replenish the battery from 10% to 80% in just 20 minutes. All-weather reliability is another key strength, achieved through aerospace-grade insulation and a proprietary heat pump system. This ensures the EV retains over 90% of its range at -30°C, while real-world high-altitude testing confirms a fuel consumption rate of under 5.3L/100km in charge-sustaining mode.
Unlike extended-range technology, the three-speed DHT transmission enables direct mechanical drive from the engine. This solves the issue of power instability at high speeds and additionally allows the
By combining its advanced EHD super hybrid technology, Mercedes-Benz heritage, and practical design, the Smart #5 EHD is well-positioned not only for success in China but also as a formidable competitor in the Southeast Asian PHEV SUV market, with particular potential in Thailand and Malaysia
