2021 Toyota Corolla Apex Adds Style and Corner-carving Capability

Published on July 15, 2020 in News by Dominic Boucher

Toyota is introducing a special edition of the Corolla SE for 2021. Meet the Corolla Apex Edition, limited to just 150 units in Canada.

As you know, drivers on a track aim to “clip the apex” of a corner to achieve the quickest lap times. This model was developed and honed through extensive testing on different tracks around the world, including TMC Higashi-Fuji Proving Ground in Japan, Toyota Arizona Proving Ground and MotorSport Ranch in Texas.

Unique Style

Aesthetically, the 2021 Toyota Corolla Apex Edition adds a number of sporty touches. A sport, aerodynamic black body kit complete with bronze accents, a front spoiler, fog light covers, side mouldings and rear diffuser aid in high-speed vehicle stability.

A rear trunk spoiler will be available as an additional option for those who want to display even more attitude.

The bronze/black combo plays off the exclusive exterior colour for the Corolla Apex Edition, Cement Grey with Black Sand Pearl roof. Inside, there are sport fabric seats with heated front seats, a leather wrapped steering wheel and power slide moonroof.

One Engine, Two Transmissions

The 2021 Toyota Corolla Apex Edition is suitably powered by the 169-horsepower 2.0-litre Dynamic Force engine, which boasts a high-compression (13:1) fuel injection system that combines direct injection and secondary port injectors.

Toyota is equipping just 50 of these special models with a six-speed manual transmission featuring rev matching technology. The remaining 100 use the company’s new CVT, which offers simulated 10-speed sequential Shiftmatic steps, a Sport mode and paddle shifters.

Tuned Chassis

The Corolla is based on the TNGA-C platform. With the Apex Edition, Toyota engineers made a few key changes to improve handling. Unique coil springs lower the car by 0.6 inches while the increased spring rate reduces vehicle roll angle and provides flatter cornering and steering response. Roll stiffness is increased by 47 percent in the front and 33 percent in the rear.

The 18-inch flow-formed cast aluminum wheels feature a gloss black appearance, but even more importantly they are specially developed to aid in brake cooling while offering a mass reduction of 2.2 pounds per wheel.

All of these upgrades are paired with a specially developed catback exhaust that features a throatier, aggressive tone at start-up while also providing a bolder, enhanced tone at wide-open throttle. A unique 3.5-inch stainless steel tip was developed to match the vehicle’s styling.

Pricing and on-sale date for the 2021 Toyota Corolla Apex Edition will be announced later.