At one time, the thought of a high-performance sportscar with an automatic transmission, instead of a manual one, was a big no-no to enthusiast drivers, especially the hardcore ones. Being able to choose gears and control the engine’s behaviour was what made driving fun; it wasn’t left to a computer to make those decisions.
During the 1980s, the argument about automatic transmissions being less fuel efficient due to power losses in the system started to fade away. New technologies made the transmissions addressed the loss issue, along with increasingly intelligent electric controls.
The advent of the dual-clutch transmission at the beginning of the 21st century also saw many automakers switching to the DCT as it offered quicker shifting and less power losses, plus the advantage of manual and automatic shifting – the best of both worlds.
But the development and improvement of the torque converter automatic transmission has continued and Toyota has kept improving and its 8-speed Direct Shift Automatic Transmission (DAT) has been among the most efficient in the world.
TOYOTA GAZOO Racing has further developed this transmission for its high-performance models to handle the much higher outputs of the drivetrains. For the 8-speed GAZOO Racing Direct Automatic Transmission, the programming has been optimized for sporty driving and is now also available with the GR Corolla.
Different than the GR Supra and GR86 automatic transmissions where gear shifting relies on sensing vehicle behaviour (eg deceleration g-force and speed), the GAZOO Racing DAT’s optimized software delicately senses the way the driver steps on the brakes and operates the accelerator.
With these inputs, it anticipates when gear shifting is optimal even before changes in vehicle behaviour occur, achieving gear selection that reflects the driver’s intentions. The shifting philosophy is thus is similar to that of professional drivers so even an average driver can have shifts like the drivers of the successful TOYOTA GAZOO WRC Team.
The DAT also allows drivers to focus more on acceleration/brake and steering manoeuvres, so non-professional drivers may be able to drive faster if they decide to enter motorsports events. Toyota believes this can opens up possibilities for a wider range of drivers to enjoy sports driving.
The Toyota GR development team used circuit and rally driving courses as a basis for setting the DAT’s close gear ratio. They optimized the shift points of the DAT, giving similar ratios to the 6-speed manual transmission that maximize delivery of engine power and torque to the wheels and enables optimal performance.
Besides the availability of the new 8-speed GAZOO Racing Direct Automatic Transmission, the new GR Corolla also has increased engine torque by 30 Nm to 400 Nm at peak. The maximum power output remains at 300 bhp at 6,500 rpm. The evolved model also enhanced suspension components and tuning for more engaging driving.
On the exterior, the front bumper has been redesigned to accommodate optional cooling components (such as a sub radiator) while simultaneously retaining aerodynamic performance. To ensure a more stable braking force, brake ducts direct airflow to the front brake rotors for a greater cooling effect, suppressing increases in brake temperature.
The GR Corolla is among the GR models offered by UMW Toyota Motor through its GR Garage dealers which specialise in the high-performance models. Priced from RM355,000, the model currently has a 6-speed Intelligent Manual Transmission and it is likely that the additional option of the 8-speed GAZOO Racing Direct Automatic Transmission will also be available in future.
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