2026 Toyota GR Corolla AT launched in Malaysia, Launch Control, RM 378,950

UMW Toyota Motor (UMWT), the official distributor of Toyota models in Malaysia, has just launched the new 2026 Toyota GR Corolla AT in the country.

Overview

As the name suggests, the 2026 Toyota GR Corolla AT swaps out the 6-speed manual in favour of an 8-speed automatic transmission.

The 2026 Toyota GR Corolla AT is priced at RM 378,950, on-the-road without insurance, marking a RM 10,000 premium over the manual variant.

Exterior

Much of the exterior design of the automatic variant of the GR Corolla is carried over from its manual sibling, including the side ducts on each end of the front bumper that directs airflow.

Cooling is further aided with an opening in the lower part of the grille for the sub-radiator.

Standard equipment include automatic Bi-LED projector headlights with LED turn signals, LED rear lights, as well as the signature triple tailpipe exhaust and carbon fibre reinforced plastic roof.

A set of 18-inch Enkei alloy wheels are wrapped in 235/40R18 Yokohama Advan Apex V601 tyres complete the exterior.

Colour options include Black, Emotional Red, Precious Metal, and Super White II.

Interior

The interior is largely identical to the manual variant, with the main differentiator being the automatic shifter and steering wheel-mounted paddle shifters.

Other standard equipment include a 10.0-inch head unit with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, 6-speaker audio system, head-up display (HUD), and semi bucket seats up front with red stitching and GR logo embroidery. New for the 2026 model is blind spot monitoring (BSM).

Powertrain

The biggest change here is the 8-speed Gazoo Racing Direct Automatic Transmission (GR-DAT), with Sport, Normal, and Eco driving modes. The 8AT-equipped cars are also fitted with an air-cooled automatic transmission fluid (ATF) cooler, in addition to the water-cooled ATF fluid warmer and cooler.

Launch Start Control is also a new addition to the 2026 Toyota GR Corolla AT, which raises engine speed to more than the normal “stall start”. It is only available in Sport mode with Expert mode on or when VSC is turned off.

Powering the GR Corolla AT is the same turbocharged 1.6-litre 3-cylinder petrol engine that delivers 300 PS and 400 Nm, with power routed to all four wheels via the GR-Four all-wheel drive system.