Toyota’s new GR Yaris performance car has already delivered a pretty impressive sales success for the company ahead of its November launch.

Toyota started taking orders for the hot hatch in September with an introductory driveaway price of $39,950 limited to the first 1000 vehicles sold. The recommended retail price is $49,500. Not surprisingly, demand has been strong and those first 1000 cars were snapped up inside a week. Toyota responded by releasing a further 100 examples at a new driveaway price of $44,950.

So, apart from the tantalising price, what is all the fuss about?

Well, the GR Yaris is as hot as a hot hatch can get and one potent machine.

Power comes from a new compact and lightweight 200kW, 370Nm, 1.6-litre three-cylinder turbocharged engine. 0-100km/h comes in 5.2 seconds. Top speed is limited to 230km/h.

Motorsport tech includes large-diameter exhaust valves and a part-machined intake port. The DOHC 12-valve engine is mated to an intelligent six-speed manual gearbox, engineered to accommodate high torque levels.

Performance brakes are 356mm x 28mm ventilated front discs with four-pot callipers and 297mm x 18mm ventilated rear discs with two-pot callipers. The company says the system has been engineered to cope with rigorous demands of high-speed track driving.

A three-door body – available in white, red or black exterior paint – is made from lightweight materials including carbon-fibre polymer for the roof and aluminium for the bonnet, doors and tailgate.

The GR Yaris is built on a new, dedicated platform combining the front end of Toyota’s GA-B platform – which debuted in this year’s all-new Yaris – with the rear of the GA-C platform.

This allows for a new multi-link rear suspension system, a wider track and accommodation of the GR-Four all-wheel drive system.

Standard equipment includes a comprehensive Toyota Safety Sense package, auto air-conditioning, keyless smart entry and start, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and 8-speaker JBL sound system. There is also a rear spoiler, sports seats with suede and leather accents, aluminium pedals and dual exhaust tips. Sounds like a winner to us.

Toyota says an even more potent version of the GR is headed to Australia, with approximately 250 examples of the GR Yaris Rallye to be available next year.

Performance upgrades on the Rallye model include circuit-tuned suspension, Torsen limited-slip differentials on the front and rear axles, 18-inch BBS forged alloy wheels with Michelin Pilot Sport 4S tyres and red brake callipers.

Source: Motor Trader E-magazine (October 2020)

7 October 2020