Anyone who tells you that Formula 1 is the hardest racing series truly has never heard about the World Rally Championship, otherwise known as the WRC. A racing series where cars fly, literally. Jumps of over 85 meters, extremely rough rally sections, rock, dust, sand, gravel, literally all the elements, and 2 very brave men in the cockpit are what this racing series consists of.
Toyota has been a participant in WRC for years now, and their GR division does nothing but chase victory. To participate, you need a car that is sold to the general public. Toyota’s GR division, seeking more performance, developed a hatchback for the road for the sake of the homologation rule of the WRC. Here comes the legendary Toyota GR Yaris, developed especially for the World Rally Championship.
GR Yaris: Extreme Madness In A Pocket Size
Yes, developed just so that GR Toyota, otherwise known as Gazoo Racing, could perform even better in the WRC. An All-wheel drive system, a manual transmission, a body so light it could be tamed, and finally, an engine worth taming this chassis. A brilliant, 1.6-litre turbo 3-cylinder. Sounds adorable, doesn’t it?
This tiny 3-cylinder unit is capable of making 268 BHP and 370 Nm of Torque. Pure madness! While weighing just under 1200 KG and being a 3-door hatchback, this power makes the road car mental to drive and very enjoyable. But, this also meant that the Gazoo Racing could now take the Yaris to the WRC, and they did, winning multiple races and even a championship. Hence, the GR Yaris is a race-winning road car, with its only competition being the Hyundai i20 N which also won the race.
GR Yaris: Design
The exterior design of the GR Yaris is racey, compact, and built for tough performance. With its low stance, wide body, and aggressive styling, it looks every bit like a rally car for the road. The large front grille, sharp LED headlights, and prominent air intakes give it a fierce, purposeful appearance. Smooth body lines and flared wheel arches enhance both aerodynamics and visual impact. At the rear, dual exhausts and a sporty bumper add to its muscular look. A lightweight carbon fibre roof not only lowers the car’s centre of gravity but also gives it a high-tech, race-inspired edge. The unique three-door layout completes its distinct, performance-driven design. The GR Yaris recently got a facelift version, now known as the GR Yaris Gen 2.
In this Gen 2 model, Toyota updated the front bumper and made it stronger, along with a better chassis calibration and updated rear taillamps. The Gen 2 didn’t change much of the Vehicle’s recipe apart from only making it better.
GR Yaris: Interior Of A Toyota Still!
The interior of the GR Yaris mostly resembles that of a regular Toyota, keeping things practical and familiar, but with a few sporty touches that hint at its high-performance rally racer nature. The layout is clean and straightforward, with easy-to-use controls and solid build quality. However, some standout details set it apart, like the supportive sport seats, a smaller, leather-wrapped steering wheel, and GR-branded elements throughout the cabin. Aluminium pedals and red stitching add a bit of racing flair, but overall, the interior focuses more on function than flash, staying true to its roots as a driver’s car.
GR Yaris: Heart Of A Race Car
The Toyota GR Yaris is equipped with a 6-speed manual transmission that offers short, precise shifts for an engaging driving experience, but is now also offered with an Automatic. Under the hood, it comes with a 1.6-litre, 3-cylinder turbocharged engine that produces around 268 horsepower, making it one of the most powerful 3-cylinder engines ever made. Performance is impressive, with 0 to 100 km/h achieved in about 5.2 seconds, thanks in part to its advanced GR-FOUR all-wheel-drive system, which delivers excellent traction and control. The top speed is electronically limited to 230 km/h. Suspension-wise, the GR Yaris uses MacPherson struts at the front and a double wishbone setup at the rear, tuned for sharp handling and stability, giving it the feel of a true rally racer machine.
GR Yaris Verdict: Blind Buy!
An adorable one to look at, yet a monstrosity to drive. The GR Yaris is truly a blind buy for most, considering how fun to drive, fast, and beautiful it is to look at. Due to its recipe, today the vehicle is extremely desirable, and with its rising value, it’s getting even more difficult to purchase and even rarer. Anyone looking to buy one should get it right away.
GR Yaris: Pricing
The GR Yaris isn’t officially sold in the UAE, but is heavily imported by Emiratis and locals in the UAE. But once , GR Yaris was mentioned under the Toyota UAE’s website for a certain period, the UK prices of the GR Yaris are:
- Standard (6-speed manual): £44,250
- Automatic (8-speed): £45,750
- Special Editions (Ogier and Rovanperä): £60,000
These prices are a bargain, come to think of it, as no other manufacturer offers a vehicle of this sort. The main rival of the GR Yaris is the Hyundai i20 N, priced similarly, and also a multiple WRC winner. But that car does not get an AWD system, making it a tough choice over the GR Yaris.
