D o race cars turn us on? When do they not? Some might've guessed "no" at the thought of a Corolla but chassis fabricators, apr, are about to change your mind. What we saw at the TRD booth at this year's Tokyo Auto Salon was a Corolla worth popping boners for. But it's not the kind of Corolla you're used to - nor will it be one you're going to see on US roads, at least, not any time soon. This is based off the new Corolla Axio platform and according to Toyota Motorsport News, apr is working in conjunction with Toyota to use the Axio in the Super GT GT300 class after retiring last year's MR-S, a winner from last year's Round 3 at Fuji Speedway, as well as champion in the GT300 class in years '02, '05 and `07. Representatives from apr stated, "The MR-S racecar was an excellent performer for racing but we are looking for another car that's even better. We chose the Corolla Axio because the chassis has good aerodynamics and is better than the MR-S overall." Powered by a 300hp naturally-aspirated V6 motor, the apr Axio is set up on a midship layout chassis and it's said that the biggest rival this year will be Lexus' IS racecar. Since race season hasn't started as of presstime and this particular car hasn't seen an official event, it's hard to say how well it'll actually perform. But if we chart apr's racing history, the chances are good that it can come out on top once again. In other Axio news, TRD will be offering GT models with a turbocharged 1500cc motor (www.trdparts.jp/parts_axio-turbo.html) and in July, TRD will be organizing a Corolla Axio N2 one-make race at Fuji Speedway (www.advan.com/japanese/motor_sports/fan/065/index2.html).
Fast Facts
'09 Toyota Corolla Axio GT300
Owner APR
Hometown Japan
Daily Grind Super GT and drag chassis fabrication
Under The Hood 2GR-FSE V6 naturally-aspirated, 3500cc engine; bore x stroke 94mm x 83mm; two 25.7mm restrictor plates
Drivetrain Hewland 6-speed sequential; Ogura triple plate clutch
Power restricted ps @6800rpm; 39kg/m @ 5200rpm
Stiff Stuff NZE141 (body code); 4410mm (length) x 1795mm (width); 1100-plus kg (weight); track: 1555mm (front)/1585mm (rear)
Rollers RAYS Engineering/Volk Racing Forged Mag wheels 18x10.5 (front)/18x11 (rear)
Stoppers AP Racing calipers and two-piece rotors
Outside Magical Carbon Hasepro carbon splitters and diffusers
Inside Recaro racing seats
WWW apr-jp.com, mackinindustries.com (Volk Racing), recaro.com