Toyota Unveils GRMN Corolla, the Most Expensive Corolla Ever Built With a Manual Transmission

Toyota said it will build just 730 examples of the new GRMN Corolla. That production total is reserved for the global market rather than any single country. That may help explain the starting price of $64,360. The price reflects the new hatchback's exclusivity.

For comparison, the GR Corolla currently sells for about $38,500 in Japan. That makes it difficult to justify the new version's price based on its technical specifications alone. Instead, Toyota is emphasizing the GRMN Corolla's exclusivity. The Japanese automaker is adopting the same approach Ferrari and Porsche use when marketing their vehicles. As a result, Toyota may quickly sell out the entire GRMN Corolla production run.

The new model differs from the standard GR version with a larger rear spoiler and new forged wheels finished in gold. Several exterior components on the GRMN Corolla are made from carbon fiber. Toyota also equipped the hatchback with new Michelin performance tires.

Inside, the Japanese model retains the same 8-inch touchscreen. The cabin is generally unchanged, although it now includes numbered plaques. Even the front bucket seats were carried over from the GR Corolla. Toyota did remove the rear seats, reducing the vehicle's weight by about 66 pounds.

Toyota engineers revised the suspension by adding new monotube shock absorbers.

Under the hood, the GRMN Corolla is powered by a 1.6-gallon?