Description

The fourth generation of the Toyota Yaris is a B-Segment car launched in 2019, while the top of the range version – the GR Yaris – premiered at the 2020 Tokyo Auto Show. The  GR Yaris was developed by Gazoo Racing and Tommi Mäkinen Racing as a homologation model for Toyota’s next rally-car (2021 season), using their experience from WRC. The designers and engineers focused on three pillars – aerodynamics, weight distribution and lightweight – in order to achieve the best performance and drivability.

Under the bonnet, we find a 12-valve turbocharged 1,6-liter engine producing 261 hp /192 kW of power and 360 Nm of torque thanks to motorsport technologies including multi-oil jet piston cooling, large-diameter exhaust valves and a part-machined intake port. Power is transmitted to all four wheels through a 6-speed manual transmission with the help of the new GR-Four all-wheel-drive system. Speaking of which, it allows a theoretical range of front/rear torque balance from 100:0 (full front-wheel drive) to 0:100 (full rear-wheel drive) and is considerably lighter than conventional 4WD systems. More specifically distribution is 60:40 in Normal mode, 30:70 in Sport mode and 50:50 in Track mode, which is automatically balanced according to driver’s input, vehicle behaviour and road or track conditions.

The GR Yaris platform combines the GA-B architecture of the 5-door Yaris at the front, with the GA-C architecture of the Corolla at the back. As such, suspension consists of McPherson struts at the front and a double-wishbone setup at the rear. The braking system includes 356 mm ventilated discs with four-piston fixed callipers at the front and 297 mm ventilated discs with two-piston callipers at the rear. Thanks to the use of aluminium at the bonnet, doors and rear hatch, and the carbon-fibre roof, the GR Yaris tips the scales at 1,280 kg, which means it has a strong power-to-weight ratio of only 5.0 kg per bhp.

For those who seek the best performance, the optional Circuit Pack includes two Torsen limited-slip differentials, forged 18″ wheels with Michelin Pilot Sport 4s 225/40R18 tires and an even more aggressive suspension setup.

Visually, the of GR Yaris has nothing in common with the rest of the Yaris range. Its all-new coupe-style body has 3 doors (unlike its 5-door siblings) and features aggressive aerodynamics with large intakes on the front bumper, muscular wide arches to accommodate the 18″ wheels, lowered roof (-91 mm), rear spoiler and diffuser housing dual exhaust pipes.

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