Like other GR Sport models in Toyota’s stable, the Corolla Altis GR Sport dons a sportier look. Changes include a new front grille and bumper filled with high-gloss black elements and a honeycomb insert. The same gloss black elements also find their way to the side mirrors (oddly enough, the door handles remain finished in chrome). It also gets a more aggressive side skirt, two-tone 17-inch alloy wheels, and a diffuser built into the rear bumper. A Gazoo Racing badge on the trunk completes the exterior transformation.

Inside, the Corolla Altis GR Sport gets more supportive front bucket seats with red stitching, while the Gazoo Racing logo lines the headrest and push starter button. Other new features found in this top-trim Corolla Altis variant include a heads-up display projected on the front windshield, ambient interior lighting, a wireless charger, and a nanoe air purifier system.

Under the hood, the Corolla Altis GR Sport remains unchanged. In Thailand, that means a choice between a conventional or hybrid 1.8-liter 4-cylinder. The hybrid, the likely variant that Toyota Motor Philippines would consider, makes 122 horsepower and 142 Nm of toque, while the non-hybrid does 140 horsepower and 177 Nm of torque. In both cases, it’s mated to a CVT driving the front wheels.

Though Toyota engineers maintained the powertrain, the Corolla Altis GR Sport does benefit from a tweaked suspension system. The new shock absorbers promise “increased performance for more fun.”

The Corolla Altis GR Sport also receives an improved version of the Toyota Safety Sense system now with all speed adaptive cruise control and lane departure alert with steering assist. Other new safety features include blind spot indicators with rear cross traffic alert and tire pressure monitoring sensors.

The Corolla Altis GR Sport retails for 1,114,000 Thai Baht or about P 1,736,000 for the top-of-the-line GR Sport Hybrid.