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 2,940,000. 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.
Toyota GR Yaris Launch
The XP210 Yaris was initially introduced in 2019 via a simultaneous launch event in Japan and the Netherlands, eventually going on sale in Japan in 2020. The performance-oriented GR Yaris was then unveiled at the 2020 Tokyo Auto Salon and has already been available in several markets including the UK. Recently, Toyota Motor Philippines announced that the GR Yaris will also be sold locally starting August 14, 2021.
Toyota GR Yaris Exterior
As a sporty model, the GR Yaris sports functional design elements. The large grille is meant to provide optimal cooling, and the car also gets a carbon fiber roof to ensure a lower center of gravity. It also comes standard with a set of 18-inch BBS forged alloy wheels, wrapped in Michelin Pilot Sport 4S tires. For visibility, it comes standard with a pair of 3-tier LED headlamps, LED taillights, and front foglamps.
Toyota GR Yaris Interior
On paper, the GR Yaris can fit up to five occupants. The front seats are clad in a combination of leather and suede, whereas the rear seats are covered in leather. As expected, the front seats of the car get a lot of bolstering.
To keep its occupants cool, the model also comes standard with an automatic climate control system. The driver also has access to a hand-operated parking brake, tilt-and-telescopic multi-function steering, and a leather-wrapped gear shift lever.
Technology & Safety Features
Dominating the dash is a touchscreen head unit with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. In terms of safety, the model also comes with standard features you’d expect on many roadgoing cars. It has anti-lock braking with electronic brake-force distribution, six airbags, stability control, traction control, and hill-start assist, among others.
In addition, the GR Yaris also comes with the Toyota Safety Sense driver-assist suite. This kit includes automatic high beams, lane trace assist, and a pre-collision collision system.
Platform & Chassis
As mentioned, the GR Yaris is based on the XP210 series Yaris that’s available in other markets. To be more specific, however, this hot hatch uses a modified version of the Toyota New Global Architecture (TNGA) platform. The front half of the car uses the TNGA GA-B, while the rear comprises the TNGA GA-C. This spliced TNGA chassis was decided upon by Toyota and Gazoo Racing, in order to accommodate the GR-Four 4WD system.
Suspension-wise, it also differs from the regular XP210 Yaris in that the GR Yaris has a beefier double wishbone suspension layout. The latter is also much lighter due to its aluminum hood, trunk lid, and door panels. And lastly, it also has a front and rear torsen limited-slip differential.
Toyota GR Yaris Engine
Under the hood of the GR Yaris is a turbocharged 1.6-liter inline-3 DOHC gasoline engine, capable of up to 257 horsepower and 360 Nm of torque. It is paired with a six-speed intelligent manual transmission, which sends power to all of its wheels via the GR-Four 4WD system.
The only car that can be compared to the Toyota GR Yaris in the Philippines is the Honda Civic Type R. Toyota's hot hatch offers AWD, while Honda's model is designed with a front-wheel-drive system.
Available colors for the Toyota GR Yaris Philippines are Super White II, Emotional Red. and Precious Black.
Toyota GR Yaris Pros & Cons
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₱ 2,740,000
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