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.
NHTSA launches investigation into Model Y door handle issue, Tesla says it has started redesigning door handle
RobertSep 18, 2025, 05:21 PM
[PCauto] The U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) launched a preliminary investigation on September 16, 2025, into approximately 174,000 units of the 2021 Tesla Model Y, focusing on the complete failure of electronic door handles when the low-voltage battery is insufficiently charged.
Model Y door handle issue has already drawn multiple owner complaints
The investigation into Model Y door handle malfunctions stems from multiple owner complaints, some involving emergency situations where children were trapped inside the vehicle. The incidents not only raised concerns about specific Tesla models but also prompted the industry to reassess the safety redundancy design of hidden door handles and electronic systems.
Background information from the investigation shows that NHTSA’s preliminary evaluation is based on nine owner complaints, with four cases involving parents being forced to break windows to rescue trapped children due to an inability to open the doors from the outside.
These incidents mostly occurred after driving or before starting to drive, with children seated in the rear seats. Although the Tesla Model Y has a manual unlocking mechanism inside the vehicle, its design is hidden and the operation is complicated, making it difficult for children to use independently, thereby preventing timely escape in emergency situations.
NHTSA indicated that the investigation could be expanded to cover other model years, including the 2023 Tesla Model 3 and 2020-2023 Tesla Model Y, to comprehensively assess the prevalence of the issue.
Door handle malfunctions may stem from the low-voltage power supply system
In terms of technical defects, the malfunction may be directly related to insufficient voltage in the 12V low-voltage battery. When the battery level drops, the electronic door handle system fails, and the owner does not receive any warning signals, such as dashboard warning lights.
Maintenance records indicate that replacing the low-voltage battery is a common solution, but this does not fundamentally address the issue. The NHTSA further emphasized that the Tesla Model Y lacks a manual opening mechanism on the outside of the door, and the internal manual device may not function effectively due to design issues in case of a power outage or collision.
Since 2018, the NHTSA has received more than 140 related complaints, involving multiple incidents of injury and death, indicating that the problem is not isolated but a systemic safety fault.
This design defect exposes the risks in the trend of automotive electrification, where there is excessive reliance on electronic systems at the expense of the reliability of mechanical backups.
Tesla stated it is redesigning the door handle
Regarding Tesla’s response, Franz von Holzhausen, Tesla’s Chief Designer, revealed that the company is redesigning the door handle system, planning to integrate the electronic and manual unlocking functions into the same button to enhance reliability in emergency situations.
Additionally, Tesla stated that it will comply with regulatory requirements in global markets, including the initiative by China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology to solicit opinions on safety standards for hidden door handles by May 2025.
Today, electric vehicles have adopted many innovative designs that have never appeared in fuel-powered cars and have not been validated before. For reasons unknown, automakers are reluctant to consider the safety risks of these designs. Now, it is time to revisit the discussion on what constitutes a safe design.
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