The application form starts off fairly innocuous, asking for some basic information about yourself. However, the application quickly asks you to describe your social media following. Speed Academy probably has enough clout to score a GR Corolla Morizo Edition, but I’m struggling to think of active Canadian automotive influencers with incredibly strong followings who aren’t journalists or already tied to a brand. Birdy and Speed Academy, sure, but who else? After the social media questions is a bank of response forms for applicants to get personal. Toyota Canada wants you to talk about club affiliations, connection to the Toyota brand, memorable experiences with manual performance cars, track experience, and intended use. Again, for a Corolla. I get that only nine of these are up for grabs, but still. The question of connection with the Toyota brand is a funny one since Canada hasn’t had the greatest history of getting Toyota performance cars. The SW20 MR2 had a short sales run, the MR2 Spyder wasn’t even sold up here, and most Corolla FX-16s have long since dissolved into iron oxide. Not only does this vetting process seem ridiculous, I’m still a bit skeptical about the Morizo Edition’s value. The base Core model in Canada starts at $45,490 Canadian excluding an unspecified freight charge and includes the limited-slip diffs and heated seats. In contrast, the Morizo Edition starts at $59,990 Canadian, which is a lot of money for more torque, less weight, shorter gears, no rear seats, and some seam-welding. What’s more, it’s only about an $8,000 jump from the GR Corolla Morizo Edition to a 2023 GR Supra with the manual gearbox. Granted, some Toyota diehards will only take an all-Toyota product, but the GR Supra is an exceptionally good car. It’s really annoying that Toyota Canada is guarding the most special version of a reasonably attainable hot hatch like it’s a supercar. Having to pitch yourself to a company in order to pay money for a car seemed disgusting with the Ford GT and still seems awful here. While I totally understand that nine examples isn’t enough to satiate everyone, there has to be a fairer way of distributing these cars than through vetting. Lead photo credit: Toyota But then… it’s a Corolla, not an LFA. Probably more fun than anything I’ve ever driven, but really, how collectible is it? It makes no sense. The public disdain for the buyer base would be similar, but at least some good would be done. Just kidding. You seem great. Have a wonderful day! Have Toyota explained their strategy with this car, because it’s all very odd. Beyond this gross, pleading style application form in Canada, in the UK interest in their hot hatches is sky high because of the crazy GR Yaris, which has sold very well, but they have decided not to bring this car over. Also, it’s a Corolla! The whole appeal is that it’s an attainable vehicle that you can flog the shit out of should you desire. Surely the Supra deserves more of the halo car treatment? I’d rather get an old one for 1/10th the price and REALLY tear it down to the studs. There should be lack of mileage penalties for people who buy the fun shit and then garage it until all the rubber is too dry for it to function.
