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.
Nissan GT-R Nismo setting its Tsukuba lap time in 2019
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?
Get the latest auto industry figures at Philkotse.com.