Homologated hot hatch will be available in limited numbers for this year.
Toyota has revealed prices and specifications for its updated hot hatchback – the GR Yaris.
The GR Yaris has been the king of the hot hatch market since it first went on sale in 2020, and for 2024 Toyota has gone and improved it even further.
There will be four versions available. The standard GR Yaris with a six-speed manual gearbox will cost from £44,250 and jump to £45,750 with the eight-speed automatic gearbox.
Two special editions will be available from launch, too. The GR Yaris Ogier edition and the Rovanpera edition – both will have a six-speed manual gearbox and have price tags of £60,000.
Source: Toyota UK media
The GR Yaris Ogier edition comes with Stealth grey matt paint, blue brake callipers, black Gazoo Racing side decals, a larger rear spoiler and a French flag emblem on the top half of the front bumper – there are two new driving modes called ‘Morizo’ and ‘Seb’.
Morizo mode was built in conjunction with Toyota’s ex-president, Akio Toyoda, which helps with lap times through acceleration, braking and steering.
‘Seb’ mode, named after Seb Ogier rally driver – tunes the front and rear differentials as well as the four-wheel-drive system.
The Rovanpera edition comes with unique Gazoo Racing livery and an adjustable rear spoiler.
There is ‘Donut’ mode, allowing the car to turn on a short radius creating the perfect donut.
Kalle’ mode helps with oversteer through the front and rear differentials, enabling the car to do a ‘Scandinavian flick’ – allowing the car to enter a corner with the back end swung out with the front of the car perfectly lined up to pull it forward out of a corner.
For the first year of sales, the GR will be available in limited numbers with first refusal going to existing GR Yaris customers and those who joined the waiting list before the old car’s production stopped in May 2022.
The new GR Yaris gets a power upgrade from the old car’s 256bhp to 276bhp – with torque figures up from 370Nm to 390Nm.
There is a new updated front bumper with bigger air intakes and a redesigned rear bumper and rear taillights.
An updated interior with lower-positioned seats and a repositioned rear-view mirror are all criticisms of the older car that have been addressed with the new car.
The chassis has been strengthened and there is a new interior layout – with it angled more towards the driver.
Customers will be entered into a ballot to try and secure an allocation for a new GR Yaris this year – with details of the process being shared to them in May 2024.
By Cameron Richards