Place your bets!
Who would have thought that in 2023 we have a Toyota Corolla that can put up a fight in a drag race?
In a recent showdown from The Fast Lane Car, the GR Corolla, Toyota's hot hatch, is off to demonstrate its capabilities against a legendary V8-powered Ford Mustang. With its turbocharged three-cylinder engine, advanced all-wheel-drive system, and agile handling, can the GR Corolla hold a candle to the American muscle?
Let's compare the two in black and white first. The GR Corolla boasts a potent 1.6-liter three-pot engine under the hood, making 300 horsepower. As the contender wasn't the torquier, limited-run Morizo Edition, it only makes 273 lb-ft of torque.
The GR Corolla's key highlight is its GR-Four permanent all-wheel-drive system, also used in the smaller GR Yaris, which distributes torque in a 60:40 split between the front and rear axles. Activating the Sport Mode channels 70 percent of the torque to the rear wheels, delivering a more engaging and thrilling driving experience – perfect for rally racing but not at drag races.
The folks at The Fast Lane Car acknowledged the GR Corolla's three-cylinder engine is not your typical dragster's choice and is concerned about the engine's longevity. Despite the odds, it still delivered impressive straight-line performance, as seen in the video.
The Fast Lane Car/ YouTube The Fast Lane Car/ YouTube The Fast Lane Car/ YouTube
And then, there's the formidable Coyote V8 in the Mustang that produces 420 hp and 390 lb-ft of torque. Despite the Mustang's obvious advantage in power and torque, the GR Corolla can show its upper hand in weight and traction – the latter thanks to its AWD system. The Fast Car Lane guys also brought a Corvette with a V8 LS1 engine to make things more interesting.
Watch the video to see the results and see if the GR Corolla can take on the big, V8-powered American sports cars in standing start drag races, rolling races, and braking tests.
CarBuzz CarBuzz CarBuzz
Keyword: Drag Race Mismatch: Toyota GR Corolla Vs. Ford Mustang GT