Toyota Unveils World Rally Championship-Developed GR Yaris Packing 257 BHP & 4WD
The marque’s racing legacy is relived in this special-edition hot hatch.
Japanese automotive company Toyota has unveiled the GR Yaris — an all-new hot hatch packing 257 BHP, a 4WD system and a lightweight, aerodynamic body kit.
The Toyota GR Yaris was developed in association with Tommi Mäkinen Racing, drawing influences directly from the World Rally Championship. In essence, this is a road-going version of the 2020 rally car which makes it the marque’s first genuine all-wheel-drive sports car and its first homologation model for the World Rally Championship competition since the iconic 1999 Celica GT-Four.
Toyota left no stone unturned when developing the GR Yaris. Its body is made from a mixture of carbon fiber and aluminum panels, making it super lightweight. Underneath is a lightweight 4WD system that can split the power in a multitude of ways, such as 30% to the front and 70% to the rear, as well as the ordinary 50/50 split.
The Yaris packs a 1.6-liter three-cylinder engine that produces a healthy 257 BHP, which has been strategically positioned to improve the chassis’ handling, stability, and responsiveness. Elsewhere you’ll find a new double-wishbone rear suspension system, a body kit that’s aerodynamically enhanced (a lower roofline allows air to pass over, while big air ducts cope with intake), as well as a wider stance that all come together to capture the car’s rallying capabilities.
A six-speed manual transmission allows the GR Yaris to reach 0-62 MPH in less than 5.5 seconds, and continue to hit the electronically-limited top speed of 143 MPH. This new model is a true driver’s car, coming with optional extras such as a “Circuit Pack” that adds a Torsen limited-slip differential on both the front and rear axle, performance-tuned suspension and advanced wheels. As standard, you can expect a performance braking system, its aggressive styling and plenty of nods to the marque’s racing heritage detailed inside and out.
Take a look at the Toyota GR Yaris in the gallery above, and expect a release in the second half of 2020 following the GR Supra.
In other news, NOVITEC has upgraded the McLaren 720S Spider with its N-LARGO pack.
