Browse over 9,000 car reviews

Hardcore rally hero takes shape: 2025 Toyota GR Yaris GRMN revealed in new renders ahead of Hyundai i30 N, Honda Civic Type R and Volkswagen Golf R alternative's launch: Report

Toyota Toyota News Toyota GR Yaris Toyota GR Yaris News Toyota GR Yaris 2025 Car News News Cars
...
John Law
Deputy News Editor
10 Feb 2025
3 min read

Toyota is on a roll for car enthusiasts.

It has recently updated the GR Yaris and GR Corolla, with the former expected to get an even more hardcore version in March. 

According to Japanese outlet BestCar, known for its insider sources, there is a fire-breathing GRMN version of the GR Yaris hot hatch on the way.

Japanese GR Yaris fans will be more familiar with the GRMN recipe, Toyota having released a limited 500-unit batch of the pre-facelift version in January 2022. This time around, it could be a more global proposition. 

BestCar’s renders show a more hardcore take on the facelifted GR Yaris. It features a carbon fibre roof and bonnet, lower ride height and aerodynamic features such as canards, a front lip spoiler and rear wing.

2025 Toyota GR Yaris GRMN render (image: BestCar)
2025 Toyota GR Yaris GRMN render (image: BestCar)

Enlarged intakes in the front bumper would feed the air intake and brake cooling ducts. Inside, a pair of Recaro bucket seats are shown, lowering the seating position. The original Yaris GRMN featured similar racing seats with side airbags for safety. 

According to BestCar, there are internal murmurings at Toyota that the GRMN brand, which stands for Gazoo Racing Meisters of the Nurburgring, is currently underutilised. Hence, a new version of Yaris GRMN. 

2025 Toyota GR Yaris GRMN render (image: BestCar)
2025 Toyota GR Yaris GRMN render (image: BestCar)

The previous iteration had greater body rigidity thanks to 545 more spot welds, 10mm wider stance, and sat 10mm lower. Weight was reduced by 20kg, a different mechanical limited-slip differential added and gear ratios shortened.

Power was unchanged at 200kW, however Toyota has now boosted the little Yaris rally rocket’s power to 224kW and torque 400Nm. An eight-speed automatic transmission is also available and may feature in a GRMN version. 

2022 Toyota GR Yaris GRMN
2022 Toyota GR Yaris GRMN

Personalised packs were available in Japan, including a Circuit Pack with bigger brakes, lighter wheels, adjustable Bilstein dampers and carbon fibre aerodynamic pieces. The Rally Pack changed the dampers, sway bars, added underbody protection and internal roll bar. 

The original Yaris GRMN from 2018 was a 156kW, front-wheel-drive supercharged oddity based on the third-gen hatch.

It is too early to say whether Australia will get the more hardcore GRMN version of the GR Yaris. 

2022 Toyota GR Yaris GRMN
2022 Toyota GR Yaris GRMN

While Toyota Oz did bring in the GR Corolla Morizo, the 320kW GR Supra Final Edition with its track-oriented KW suspension, oil baffles, sticky tyres, underbody bracing racing seats and more is not coming here.

If Toyota chooses to import a GRMN version of the GR Yaris, expect pricing beyond $80,000 putting it well above the Hyundai i30 N and Honda Civic Type R, and into the territory of the Volkswagen Golf R, BMW M135 and Audi S3.

John Law
Deputy News Editor
Born in Sydney’s Inner West, John wasn’t treated to the usual suite of Aussie-built family cars growing up, with his parents choosing quirky (often chevroned) French motors that shaped his love of cars. The call of motoring journalism was too strong to deny and in 2019 John kickstarted his career at Chasing Cars. A move to WhichCar and Wheels magazine exposed him to a different side of the industry and the glossy pages of physical magazines. John is back on the digital side of things at CarsGuide, where he’s taken up a role as Deputy News Editor spinning yarns about the latest happenings in the automotive industry. When he isn’t working, John can be found tooling around in either his 2002 Renault Clio Sport 172 or 1983 Alfasud Gold Cloverleaf.  
About Author

Comments