While both may be engineered for the track, pitting the Toyota GR Yaris against the Nissan GT-R Nismo might sound like a lopsided proposition in favor of the latter. However, the hot hatch ended up surpassing the larger sports car’s lap time at the famed Tsukuba Circuit in Japan, shown in a 2021 video clip.
The Toyota GR Yaris conquering Tsukuba Circuit in 2019
There is a caveat, however. The GR Yaris in question isn’t a stock specimen, but a tweaked unit courtesy of Garage G-Force, a Yokohama-based tuning shop that has made a name for itself with souped-up versions of the Mitsubishi Lancer Evo and Subaru STI Spec-C Type RA-R.
Working its magic on a tiny Toyota by comparison, Garage G-Force massaged the engine to yield 355 horsepower (from the stock 257 horses). Wider 265mm semi-slick rubbers replaced the 225mm tires worn by the car from the factory, adding more grip to go with the increased power output.
As the GT-R Nismo did in 2019, the GR Yaris got the Tsukuba time attack underway with a rolling start, handily negotiating the twists and turns of the 2.045-kilometer course. The ease with which the hot hatch took to the tarmac demonstrated its weight advantage over the Nissan, a 503-kilogram difference to be exact. There might even be suspension upgrades under the bodywork, as well as new (if imperceptible) aero bits.
After the dust cleared, the GR Yaris ended up crossing the finish line with a lap time of 58.573 seconds, beating the bigger car’s official record by 0.788 clicks. Both machines already come standard with all-wheel-drive, but there’s also something to be said for the driver’s skill in taking advantage of the hatchback’s small size and power-to-weight ratio.
Toyota's latest hot hatch is a terror on the tarmac
Some might argue that the win should have been more convincing since the GR Yaris has the advantage of lighter weight, but the car has to contend with one less cylinder than the GT-R Nismo. Still, a win is a win, right?
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Know more about Toyota GR Yaris 2024
The Toyota GR Yaris Philippines is a subcompact hatchback belonging to the hot hatch or sports compact category. It is offered in the Philippines with one variant only which is priced at Php 2,650,000. Powering this Japanese hot hatch is a 1.6-liter G16E-GTS turbocharged inline-3 gasoline engine that is capable of generating 257 horsepower and 360 Nm of torque, making it the most powerful commercially available three-cylinder engine to date. Only a 6-speed manual is the sole transmission option with an all-wheel-drive system.
Dimensions-wise, the GR Yaris comes with a length of 3,995 mm, a width of 1,805 mm, and a height of 1,455 mm, including ground clearance and wheelbase rated at 124 mm and 2,560 mm, respectively. Locally, Gazoo Racing's hot hatch is competing against the Honda Civic Type R.
₱ 2,740,000
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