Toyota GR Yaris

When the XP210 Yaris hatchback was developed, Toyota decided to only offer it in a five-door bodywork, as three-door hatchbacks had been diminishing in popularity. While the decision made financial sense, it posed a problem for Toyota's WRC team, which felt only a three-door hatch was suitable for competition. Despite the expense of developing a limited-production performance model, Toyota CEO Akio Toyoda felt strongly that it was important for the company to still be represented at the WRC, so he authorised the development of the GR Yaris. Toyoda would later say that he saw the GR Yaris as a passion project of his, stemming from a desire for the automaker to develop and build a sports car purely of its own design, unlike the 86 (jointly developed with and built by Subaru) or the GR Supra (jointly developed with BMW and built by Magna Steyr). Design File:Toyota GR Yaris RZ 1X7A7166.jpg|Rear view File:2021 Toyota GR Yaris Circuit GR-FOUR 1.6 Interior.jpg|Interior To meet the WRC's homologation rules Toyota would need to produce at least 2,500 units of the GR Yaris in a continuous 12-month period, although this is claimed to be 25,000 by Toyota. The Gazoo Racing WRT team, led by team principal and 4-time WRC champion Tommi Mäkinen, was heavily involved in the design. The challenge was to build a car that was capable of being equipped to race at WRC events, but also suitable for daily driving. One of the major changes came when the team decided they wanted the three-door hatchback to have four-wheel drive, a wider rear track and a double wishbone suspension layout to handle significantly increased torque. To save weight, the GR Yaris also uses aluminium for the front bonnet, boot lid and door panels. It also uses carbon fibre-reinforced plastic for its roof panel which was formed using the sheet moulding compound method. and is sold in Japan, Europe, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, Singapore, the Philippines, Mexico, Argentina, Taiwan and Middle East. The GR Yaris has not been offered in the United States or Canada; analysts attribute this to its low probable sales volume, the discontinuation of the standard Yaris in these markets, and a lack of commonality with the most recent Yaris sold in the region, which was a rebadged and slightly restyled Mazda2. Both regions received the larger, five-door GR Corolla in 2022 for the 2023 model year instead. == GR Yaris RS ==

Exclusive for the Japanese market, Toyota offers an entry-level, front-wheel drive GR Yaris RS. As it lacks the four-wheel drive system, the "GR-Four" emblem is eliminated, but otherwise the exterior bodywork of the RS is identical to the standard RZ trim level. Under the bonnet, the GR-built engine is replaced with a more regular Dynamic Force engine, the three-cylinder, naturally-aspirated, 1.5-litre, M15A-FKS, which is mated to the K120 "Direct Shift" continuously variable transmission (CVT). The Direct Shift CVT includes a physical first gear (known as a "launch gear") and nine additional simulated gears, for a total of ten. The RS also uses the braking system found in the regular Yaris models. However, the rear double wishbone suspension system is retained. Weighing , it is lighter than the RZ trim and the international GR Yaris model, which weighs . In April 2022, the "Light Package" variant went on sale, which further reduced weight to . It was discontinued, when the facelift version was launched and replaced by the RC in January 2024. File:Toyota GR YARIS RS (5BA-MXPA12-AGXXB) front.jpg|GR Yaris RS (MXPA12, Japan) File:The_rearview_of_Toyota_GR_YARIS_RS_(5BA-MXPA12-AGXXB).jpg|GR Yaris RS (MXPA12, Japan), note the lack of "GR-Four" badging GR Yaris RC (2024-present) Since the facelift variant was launched, the RC was replaced RS grade. The RC grade is intended as a base vehicle for competition vehicles, and it is lightweight without comfort features such as air conditioning, nagivation system, and audio system and uses halogen headlights. The RC variant only have body colour available was "Super White II". Initially, the safety driving system "Toyota Safety Sense" was not available, but it became standard equipment for all models in mid-2025. File:Osaka_Auto_Messe_2024_(41)_-_Toyota_GR_YARIS_RC_8_GR-DAT_mid-year_2024.jpg|2024 GR Yaris RC File:Osaka_Auto_Messe_2024_(42)_-_Toyota_GR_YARIS_RC_8_GR-DAT_mid-year_2024.jpg|2024 GR Yaris RC File:Osaka_Auto_Messe_2024_(53)_-_Toyota_GR_YARIS_RC_8_GR-DAT_mid-year_2024.jpg|GR Yaris RC interior == 2024 facelift ==

On 12 January 2024 at the Tokyo Auto Salon, the car received a facelift and for the first time Toyota included an 8-speed automatic option and also Formula One-style paddle-shifters for semi-automatic mode. The 1.6-litre G16E-GTS three-cylinder is upgraded to produce and of torque for the Japanese market model, on par with the GR Corolla. Engine upgrades also include "strengthened" valvetrain, a new undisclosed exhaust valve material, an increase in direct injection pressure, a new intake air pressure sensor, and redesigned lightweight pistons. The body rigidity and suspension are improved to support the power increase. The dashboard was reworked with a more driver-centric design, differentiating it from the standard Yaris. GR-Four are now standard for all models. The GR Yaris facelift is set to commence production for the Australian market in late 2024 with showroom deliveries arriving in early 2025. The GR Yaris facelift was launched in Indonesia in GIIAS 2024. It was launched in Brunei on 3 January 2025, alongside with Malaysia on 5 January 2025. In 2025, the GR Yaris was launched for in the Chinese market. In Japan, the Aero performance package was added in October 2025. It is available as a package option for the RC and RZ "High Performance". It is equipped with an aluminium bonnet with ducts, a front lip spoiler, fender ducts, a fuel tank undercover, a variable rear wing, and a rear bumper duct. The GR Yaris facelift was unveiled in the Middle East on 16 December 2025. It is available with an Aero Performance Package. In 2026, The GR Yaris gets minor changes, and the steering wheel has redesigned. File:2024 Toyota GR Yaris RZ GR-DAT.jpg|GR Yaris RZ (2024 facelift) File:2024 Toyota GR Yaris RZ GR-DAT rear.jpg|Rear view (2024 facelift) File:2024 Toyota GR Yaris RZ GR-DAT interior.jpg|Interior (2024 facelift) File:2025_Toyota_GR_Yaris_RZ_High_performance_+_Aero_performance_package.jpg|2025 RZ "High performance" with Aero performance package File:2025_Toyota_GR_Yaris_RZ_High_performance_+_Aero_performance_package_rear.jpg|2025 RZ "High performance" with Aero Performance Package == Special editions ==

GRMN Yaris (2022) The GRMN Yaris ("GRMN" for Gazoo Racing, tuned by the Meister of the Nürburgring) is a limited-production (500 units) variant based on the GR Yaris RZ with: • Increased engine torque output by to , while the horsepower figure remain unchanged. • Retuned close-ratio gear transmission and a low final gear set. The SNCM material was used and shot processing was added to first, third, fourth, fifth and final gears, which is claimed to significantly improving shock torque and fatigue strength. • Reinforced metal clutch on the dual-mass flywheel. • Usage of twill weave CFRP for the bonnet and roof and removal of rear passenger seats, which reduced the weight by approximately . • Increased number of spot welds by 545 and enhanced body rigidity by applying additional of structural adhesive. Apart from the regular GRMN Yaris, "Circuit Package" and "Rally Package" options were also available. The Circuit Package includes BBS GRMN bespoke 18-inch wheels, 18-inch brakes, Bilstein shock absorbers with adjustable damping force, carbon (twill weave CFRP) rear spoiler, side skirt and lip spoiler, while the Rally Package includes GR shock absorbers and short stabiliser link set, GR under guard set and GR roll bar (with side bar). Rally Package parts could be chosen separately. The vehicle was unveiled at the 2022 Tokyo Auto Salon. Sales began in the first quarter of 2022, with pre-order on 14 January 2022. File:Suzuka Fan Thanksgiving Day 2022 (33) - Toyota GRMN YARIS Circuit package.jpg|GRMN Yaris Circuit Package File:Suzuka Fan Thanksgiving Day 2022 (34) - Toyota GRMN YARIS Circuit package.jpg|GRMN Yaris Circuit Package File:Osaka Auto Messe 2022 (145) - Toyota GRMN YARIS Rally package (cropped).jpg|GRMN Yaris Rally Package with additional aftermarket modifications File:Osaka Auto Messe 2022 (147) - Toyota GRMN YARIS Rally package (cropped).jpg|GRMM Yaris Rally Package with additional aftermarket modifications Sébastien Ogier Edition (2024) This special edition vehicle was unveiled at the Rallye Monte-Carlo on 25 January 2024 alongside the Kalle Rovanperä Edition. Production was limited to 100 units for Japan and 100 units for Europe. Based on the Type 24 RZ High Performance model, all vehicles are painted in matte stealth grey, and special features include a lightweight rally spoiler made of carbon fibre reinforced plastic, special BBS aluminium wheels with a French flag design, a decorative front radiator grille, blue calipers, and side decals, and S. Ogier Edition logo on the rear door. The steering wheel features exclusive blue, grey and red stitching in a tricolour motif, and a WRC victory commemorative badge (serial number 001 to 200) is specially equipped in front of the passenger seat. It is also sold to the selected European markets. File:Toyota GR YARIS RZ"High-performance・Sébastien Ogier Edition" (2).jpg|RZ "High performance Sébastien Ogier Edition" (Japan) File:Toyota GR YARIS RZ"High-performance・Sébastien Ogier Edition" (4).jpg|RZ "High performance Sébastien Ogier Edition" (Japan) File:Osaka Auto Messe 2026 (53) - Toyota GR YARIS Sébastien Ogier 9x World Champion Edition.jpg|GR YARIS Sébastien Ogier 9x World Champion Edition File:Osaka Auto Messe 2026 (57) - Toyota GR YARIS Sébastien Ogier 9x World Champion Edition.jpg|Sébastien Ogier 9x World Champion Edition Kalle Rovanperä Edition (2024) This special edition vehicle was unveiled at the Rallye Monte-Carlo on 25 January 2024, along with the Sèbastien Ogier edition. It features a three-colour livery and a motif of Rovanperä's car number, "69", CFRP variable wing rear spoiler, BBS aluminium wheels with the TOYOTA GAZOO Racing logo, and side and rear bumper decals. The four-wheel drive control modes are "DONUT" and "KALLE", replaced the standard vehicle's GRAVEL and TRACK modes. "DONUT" is a mode for drifting that maximises the direct coupling of the front and rear wheels, while "KALLE" makes the most of the additional constant-speed rear differential Production is limited to 100 units for Japan and 100 units for Europe. File:Toyota GR YARIS RZ"High-performance・Kalle Rovanperä Edition" (2).jpg|GR Yaris Kalle Rovanperä Edition File:Toyota GR YARIS RZ"High-performance・Kalle Rovanperä Edition" (4).jpg|GR Yaris Kalle Rovanperä Edition (rear view) Morizo RR (2026) Toyota Gazoo Racing unveiled the GR Yaris MORIZO RR for the first time in January 2026 at the Tokyo Auto Salon. The Morizo RR is a limited-production variant based on the GR Yaris RZ with a revised digital instrument cluster that shows the new drive mode, Morizo replaced gravel mode. The steering wheel is smaller than the base model and has modified paddle shifters. The wheel-mounted switches have also been changed for improved operability in motorsports, with inspiration coming from the switches used in the GR Yaris Rally2 rally car. Same as base model but with special exterior features a special carbon rear wing, front spoiler, side skirts and a carbon engine bonnet. Production is limited to 100 units for Japan and 100 units for Europe. File:Osaka Auto Messe 2026 (45) - Toyota GR YARIS MORIZO RR.jpg|Front File:Osaka Auto Messe 2026 (47) - Toyota GR YARIS MORIZO RR.jpg|Rear view File:Osaka Auto Messe 2026 (49) - Toyota GR YARIS MORIZO RR.jpg|"Morizo RR" badge == Concept models ==

GR Yaris Hydrogen The GR Yaris Hydrogen is a GR Yaris with a modified G16E-GTS engine to run with hydrogen fuel. == Motorsport ==

The GR Yaris served as the basis for the GR Yaris Rally1 car that made its debut in 2022 World Rally Championship season. It also made its Rally2 debut in 2024. File:Suzuka Fan Thanksgiving Day 2022 (31) - TOYOTA GR YARIS RALLY 1 No.18 in 2022 FIA World Rally Championship.jpg|GR Yaris Rally1 == Awards ==

In January 2021, the GR Yaris was named Hot Hatch of the Year by What Car? magazine. What Car? awarded the GR Yaris five stars out of five in its review of the car. The GR Yaris was awarded the 2021 UK Car of the Year, as well as winning the Best Performance award. == Production ==

The GR Yaris went into production in September 2020 on a dedicated assembly line in the Motomachi plant, that Toyota calls the "GR Factory" and is staffed by master craftsman team members. == See also ==