Toyota’s Gazoo Racing badge, best known on the Supra and 86, is now gracing an unexpected, but very familiar nameplate: The Corolla. We were invited out to Salt Lake City for a First Drive track session.

This little rocket is ignited by a 1.6-liter 3-cylinder turbo taken from the GR Yaris, which never landed stateside. In the Corolla it sends 300 horsepower and 273 lb-ft of torque, through a six-speed manual only. Throws are short and solid, a nice complement to the heavier than average clutch.

So, the GR Corolla does have an all-wheel drive system. Right now, there are three settings. There’s the default, which is a 60/40 front-to-rear bias. Right now, I’m in 50/50 split torque and you can also go 30% front, and 70% to the rear. I prefer to keep it with the torque split 70% to the rear and 30% to the front as opposed to 50% front and back. I just, I like the feel better. I feel like I have more control…

A pair of front and rear limited slip differentials help, part of a one-thousand one-hundred eighty dollar performance package for the entry-level “Core” model, which starts at thirty-seven-grand. Those difs come standard on the one-year-only Circuit Edition, along with a forged carbon fiber roof, functional hood air ducts and suede sport seats. All for an MSRP of about 44-thousand dollars.

But there is one more flavor: the MORIZO Edition. This track-tackling troublemaker puts down more torque, now 295 lb-ft, and rides on stiffer springs as well as stickier Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tires. Oh, and it loses the rear seat to save weight. The result is more speed through the apexes and more money on the sticker– each of the just 200 MORIZO editions heading to the U.S. come in at fifty-thousand dollars.

It’s safe to say the 2023 Toyota GR Corolla is a legit hot hatch, and we can’t wait for our next chance to feel the heat.