Like sports nutritionists, Toyota engineers continue to feed the company’s motorsport
stars with performance enhancing – legal, of course – characteristics. Latest to follow
the trend is the GR Yaris hot hatch.
Upgrades, developed last year from motorsport competition, have found their way into
the latest road-going models in the form of steering features, including race-bred
Bridgestone Potenza tyres for the flagship GTS.
Enhancing the steering is an expanded operating range for the electric power
assistance, while the steering wheel itself has been trimmed from 365mm to 360mm
with a redesigned hand grip shape that fits comfortably in the palms when cornering.
Switches have also taken a leaf out of the motorsport book, being positioned on the
wheel independently with ringed illumination for easy operation.
The upgraded GR Yaris range is available in two grades – the entry-level GT and newly
introduced GTS which replaces the Rallye in the hot hatch lineup.
Both grades are offered with the choice of manual or automatic transmissions, and start
from $55,490 plus on-road costs for the GT manual and $57,990 for the automatic.
The flagship GTS, which adds features including BBS forged alloy wheels with C, high-
performance suspension, a Torsen limited-slip differential, red GR brake calipers, an
intercooler spray system and sub radiator, is priced from $60,490 and $62,990 plus on-
roads for the manual and automatic respectively.
The GR Yaris hot hatch has been made even more engaging with the addition of the
new GTS Aero Performance Package, consisting of a new bonnet-mounted cooling duct
and grille, which discharge heat from the engine compartment to help keep the 1.6-litre
turbocharged three-cylinder motor cool.
The Toyota GR Yaris in Australia comes with a five-year, unlimited kilometre warranty.
STYLING
As mentioned above, aerodynamics plays a major role in providing the automatic
transmission with adequate cooling. The front-end of the GR Yaris has a new, wider
lower grille which houses a transmission cooler, and on GTS grades, a sub-radiator and
intercooler spray system.
The new grille helps to channel airflow through side ducts placed in front of the wheels
and has a split construction to make a damaged bumper easier to replace.
At the rear, a body-coloured spoiler and new combination taillights now stretch across
the width of the tailgate, while larger twin exhaust tips have been added to take the
engine’s increased output.
A new Liquid Mercury metallic paint colour has been added to the GR Yaris range,
bringing total colour choice to five along with Glacier White, Frosted White crystal pearl
(GTS only), Tarmac Black pearl and Feverish Red mica metallic.
INTERIOR
Inside, once again, the GR Yaris has undergone a substantial redesign based on
feedback from rally drivers around the world with a dash that now tilts 15 degrees
towards the driver.
The driver’s seat hip point has been lowered by 25mm, while the clutch and footrest
positions and steering column angle have also been revised for a more natural feel. The
lower driver’s seat hip point has also created an extra 37.5mm of headroom, making it
easier to drive with a helmet on.
INFOTAINMENT.
Connectivity is a new 8.0-inch multimedia touchscreen display with the upgraded
system supporting wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Vital driver info is
displayed on a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster that offers multiple readouts via three
configurable sections, allowing owners to customise the display.
Other interior upgrades include two new USB-C ports in place of the existing single
USB-A port, one of which sits in the passenger-side dashboard tray, the latter enlarged
to allow the storage of bulkier items.
ENGINES / TRANSMISSIONS
The GR Yaris running bits are shared with GR Corolla in the form of a power and torque
boost of 21kW and 30Nm respectively for its 1.6-litre three-cylinder turbocharged petrol
engine, taking maximum outputs to a total of 221kW at 6500rpm and 400Nm from 3250
to 4600rpm.
Customers are now able to order the upgraded GR Yaris – in either GT or GTS grades –
with the six-speed intelligent manual gearbox, or new eight-speed torque-converter
automatic transmission and all-wheel drive.
SAFETY
An extended Toyota Safety Sense active safety technology suite now includes safe exit
assist, front and rear parking sensors, and rear cross traffic alert, to complement the
existing comprehensive line-up of systems including the pre-collision system, high-
speed adaptive cruise control, lane departure alert, lane trace assist and blind spot
monitor.
Automatic grades gain parking support brake with object and vehicle detection, and full-
speed functionality for the adaptive cruise control system.
DRIVING
Tuned to high standards the new eight-speed automatic transmission has fitted into the
Yaris GR family nicely, with instant action, swift shifts and intuitive behaviour, the perfect
foil for the all-wheel drive conversion.
The high-performance suspension does not so much soak up rough road as fight back,
leading to a not-so-smooth ride. The tyres add to the cacophony, with a roar that puts up
a good fight with the audio at full noise. Okay, it is a replica rally car, not a high-street
cruiser.
For something completely different, Drive Mode Select allows owners to choose
between Sport, Normal and Eco, regardless of powertrain, adapting power steering,
throttle, and air-conditioning and, on automatics, transmission shift points, to match
driver characteristics and conditions. An extra Custom mode can also configure the
powertrain, steering and power steering.
Three modes are also available for the AWD system – Normal, Track and Gravel –
which allow the driver to distribute front and rear torque either 60:40 (Normal), 53:47
(Gravel) or variably (Track).
SUMMARY
The GR Yaris, with modifications, puts on an outstanding performance of Toyota rally-
bred tech and design inside and out. Turn a blind eye to the price, it’s worth it.
RATINGS
Looks – 8
Performance – 8
Safety – 7
Thirst – 7
Practicality – 6
Comfort – 6
Tech – 8
Value – 7
AT A GLANCE
MODEL LINE-UP
Toyota GR Yaris GT manual $55,490
Toyota GR Yaris GTS manual $60,490
Toyota GR Yaris GTS Aero manual $64,990
Toyota GR Yaris GT auto $57,990
Toyota GR Yaris GTS auto $62,990
Toyota GR Yaris GTS Aero auto $67,490
Note: these prices do not include government of dealer delivery charges. Contact your
local Toyota dealer for drive-away prices.
SPECIFICATIONS (Toyota GR Yaris 1.6-litre 3-cyl turbo-petrol, 8sp auto, AWD)
ENGINE
Capacity: 1.618 litres
Configuration: three cylinders inline
Maximum power 221kW @ 6500rpm
Maximum torque: 400Nm @ 3000-5550rpm
Fuel type: Premium unleaded petrol 98RON
Combined fuel cycle: (ADR 81/02) 8.2L/100km
DRIVELINE: Eight-speed automatic, GR-Four AWD – three selectable modes
DIMENSIONS, WEIGHT, AND CAPACITIES
Length: 3995mm
Width: 1805mm
Height: 1455mm
Wheelbase: 2560mm:
Turning circle: 11.28m
Gross vehicle weight: 1645kg
Fuel tank: 50L
BRAKES
Front: Ventilated disc
Rear: Ventilated disc
STANDARD WARRANTY
Five years / unlimited kilometres
