Toyota GR Yaris News

Is Toyota about to spring a reborn Celica on us? A mid-engined 300kW GR Celica that’s just 1.2m tall with a weird windscreen? The rumour mill is working around the clock right now, but our friends at Japanese auto publication Best Car Web, who are often on the money, say they are receiving inside information about an almost ready new-gen Celica that’s very exciting.

Thanks to five World Rally Championship (WRC) titles and a devout following among performance car enthusiasts, in less than five years Toyota’s pint-sized GR Yaris has achieved hot hatch icon status.And not content to rest on its laurels, the Japanese giant has continuously evolved the compact turbocharged all-wheel drive package since it emerged in late 2020.In fact, its latest upgrade arrived here just last month, with more power, a refreshed interior and the option of an eight-speed automatic transmission alongside the existing six-speed manual gearbox.Now Toyota Gazoo Racing (TGR) has confirmed another GR Yaris evolution, developed with what it says are “insights gained from motorsports”.Specifically, the WRC, domestic Super Taikyu Series and Japanese Rally Championship where TGR operates under the slogan "Thanks for breaking it", directed at drivers pushing these competition cars to their limits and beyond. And prepare yourself for some hardcore nerdy content because some of the updates are closer to a suspension engineer’s fever dream than a conventional running change.For example, “Special bolts with a high level of fastening rigidity” have been deployed to help fasten chassis components with the aim of improving steering response, straight-line stability and an “evolved sense of oneness with the car”.The shock absorbers have been re-calibrated and the EPS (Electronic Power Steering) re-tuned “to accommodate changes to the bolts that fasten chassis parts” and  “accommodate increased torque used to tighten a portion of the conventional bolts”.In one instance the bolts partially securing the front lower arms and lower ball joints change from a 22mm to 24mm head size, and the fasteners locating the top of the rear dampers now feature a stronger faceted flange rather than a flat one. TGR Super GT and Super Formula driver Kazuya Oshima was recruited to help refine shock absorber damping force for better control and ride comfort and also improve the steering’s linearity.A drift and rally-style ‘vertical parking brake’ will be offered as an option on all trim levels, the full suite of ‘Toyota Safety Sense’ features will now be standard across the range and the footrest on automatic models has been enlarged.Speaking of which, the auto transmission has been “further honed” by expanding the speed range for downshifting (second to first gear) via the paddle shifter when in Drive, “improving the sense of directness” near the redline when selecting ‘Sport’ in manual mode and optimising up-shift timing during full-throttle acceleration.Three trim levels will be offered in the Japanese domestic market with the flagship RZ "High performance" GR Yaris “tuned to provide speed and controllability at the limit of performance with a view to aggressive circuit driving”.At the same time, an ‘Aero Performance Package’ will become available in Japan later this year, featuring elements designed to “address every single issue encountered during racing and circuit evaluations”.The package includes a ducted aluminium hood, front lip spoiler, fender ducts, a fuel tank undercover, variable rear wing and rear bumper ducts.TGR says orders for the updated GR Yaris are open in Japan now with domestic sales to commence on May 6. Prices range from the equivalent of $39,600 for the entry-level RC manual, to $59,300 for the top-spec RZ High Performance auto.For reference, the current two-model Australian line-up starts at $55,490, before on-road costs for the GT manual and tops out at $62,990 (BOC) for the GTS auto.When asked if the latest evolution of the GR Yaris would be offered locally a Toyota spokesperson told CarsGuide, “GR is an increasingly important part of our line-up, bringing added fun and excitement to our customers and our brand with innovations such as the evolved GR Yaris and the optional aero performance package. In Australia, we are keen to evaluate any new GR products should they become available for our market,” they said.

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.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. 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. 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. 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.

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