For the 2020 model year, the Toyota Corolla Sedan was completely redesigned with a sportier look. Now, for the 2021 model year, Toyota is introducing a new limited-edition Apex version of the Corolla Sedan that adds more aggressive styling and sharper handling that's tuned for the track.

Available on either the Corolla SE or XSE, the track-focused 2021 Toyota Corolla Apex Edition features a sporty black body kit with bronze accents, a front spoiler, fog light covers, side moldings, and rear diffuser to improve the sedan's high-speed stability. A rear trunk spoiler is optionally available, while to sharpen up the handling, the suspension has been tuned for the track. Coil springs lower the car by 0.6 inches while the increased spring rate reduces the roll angle and provides flatter cornering and steering response.

Specially tuned shocks with internal rebound springs also increase the damping force, while unique solid stabilizer bars with increased rigidity help reduce the car's roll angle and improve its agility. These suspension changes increase the roll stiffness by 47 percent in the front and 33 percent in the rear. In conjunction with the revised suspension, the power steering has been tuned specifically for the Apex Edition.

The 2021 Toyota Corolla Apex Edition rides on special 18-inch flow-formed cast aluminum wheels finished in gloss black. These have been developed to improve brake cooling and reduce the mass of each wheel by 2.2 pounds and can be wrapped in either all-season or summer tires.

Exclusive exterior colors for the Corolla Apex Edition include Cement with Black Sand Pearl roof, Super White with Black Sand Pearl roof, and Black Sand Pearl, complemented with black mirror caps. Inside the cabin, the SE Apex Edition is fitted with premium fabric upholstery, while the XSE Apex Edition has black SofTex-trimmed fabric upholstery and heated front seats.

While the Toyota Corolla Apex Edition is tuned for the track, power is still sourced from a 2.0-liter inline-four engine producing 169 hp and 151 lb-ft of torque, which sounds more aggressive thanks to a specially developed catback exhaust. Only 6,000 Corolla Apex Editions are being produced for 2021, most of which will be equipped with a continuously variable transmission.

However, 120 special-edition Apex SE models will be equipped with a six-speed manual gearbox. Pricing and availability for the 2021 Toyota Corolla Apex Edition hasn't been announced yet.

For the 2021 model year, all Corolla models including the Apex Edition now come with Android Auto compatibility, and SiriusXM with a three-month trial. In terms of safety tech, Toyota has added rear side airbags and an automatic engine shutoff to all 2021 Corollas, while the rear cross-traffic alert with blind spot monitor is offered as standard on XLE and XSE grades and optional for the LE and LE Hybrid and SE grade with the CVT.