The updated 2024 Toyota GR Yaris has officially debuted at this year’s Tokyo Auto Salon. The update provides a vast amount of changes for the hot hatch which are touted to have improved the vehicle’s performance, and drivability. More importantly, the update also made it accessible to more drivers.
2024 Toyota GR Yaris
That aforementioned accessibility part means that the previously manual-only model now has an automatic transmission version. Sure, the newly updated 2024 version will be initially sold in its home market, and continuously variable transmission already exists in other markets, but fans of the GR Yaris in the Philippines will have a lot more to expect since the model is also sold locally, after all.
Exterior
Key improvements on the exterior primarily revolve around making it more moddable and better performing on a race track. The main design remains unchanged, but the sides of the lower portion of the front bumper now sport a new separable structure. This makes it easier to restore or mod in case it gets damaged.
A closer look at the updated front bumper
The side lower grilles were enlarged for better airflow for the sake of cooling. The sides of the front bumper received outlets for the car to better shed heat away from the sub-radiator and transmission.
From the side, the vehicle retains the same silhouette and the same wheel design. The rear though, was altered with a new lower garnish that Toyota says was designed to allow air to escape from under the car to help reduce drag and improve stability.
The rear retains a dual exhaust setup but it gets a new continuous LED taillight design that now spans the width of the car’s rear making it more visible in low-light situations. Plus, the stop-lamp was repositioned away from the spoiler to make the said part more customizable.
Updated 2024 GR Yaris from the rear
Size-wise, the 2024 Toyota GR Yaris is still 3,995mm long, 1,805mm wide, and 1,455mm in height.
Interior
For 2024, Toyota ensured that the GR Yaris was more driver-friendly. This was achieved thanks to feedback from professional racers from the Super Taikyu Series and the Japan Rally Championship.
A peek inside the 2024 GR Yaris
Starting with the dashboard, the center console along with the central touchscreen display is now tilted 15 degrees sideways to face the driver, which is said to enhance visibility and operability. Several buttons, like the push-to-start button and hazard light button, were also placed beside the central touchscreen for easier reach.
Toyota further improved forward visibility on the GR Yaris by lowering the driving position by 25mm, enhancing steering wheel adjustment, lowering the overall height of the dashboard as well as moving the rearview mirror higher up on the windshield.
The optional vertical parking brake for the Japan-spec model
The gear shift lever was likewise raised by 75mm. On versions with an automatic gearbox, its manual mode now functions like a sequential gearbox on a race car where an upward motion goes up the gear range, while a downward motion downshifts.
Interestingly, the air-conditioning vents were also given a new round shape. The dashboard also looks flatter and looks more compact than ever before.
Other than those changes, Toyota didn’t alter much else on the GR Yaris’ interior. It still gets bolstered sports seats, a manual hand-operated parking brake, and leather upholstery, among others.
Side cockpit view of the left-hand-drive Euro-spec 2024 Toyota GR Yaris
As a side note, the Japanese market version may come with a vertical parking brake option straight from the factory. This makes it easier to reach and pull - which is immensely useful for a rally driver.
Tech & Safety
Added to the 2024 refresh is a 12.3-inch color TFT digital gauge display. This, Toyota claims, is more readable for a driver. It likewise provides crucial vehicle information like an oil temperature display, and a visual gear selection warning light to help the driver avoid shifting to lower gears during high RPMS (money shift), among others.
For the central touchscreen, Toyota didn’t indicate whether this shrunk or not, but it is no longer a floating-type screen, which again, was done for better forward visibility. This screen is also expected to retain the same connectivity capabilities as the prior model, which is Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Bluetooth, among others.
A top down view of the new GR Yaris' interior
Likewise expected to return to the updated GR Yaris is the same safety suite provided for the older model. As a reference, the currently available Philippine-spec GR Yaris comes with the Toyota Safety Sense advanced driver assist suite which includes a pre-collision system, automatic high beams, lane trace assist, and adaptive cruise control.
Its standard safety equipment includes a total of six airbags, anti-lock braking, stability control, hill-start assist, and an engine immobilizer, among others.
Engine & Performance
The updated 2024 Toyota GR Yaris retains its 1.6-liter inline-3 turbocharged engine. Its total output though was raised to 299 horsepower and 400 Nm of torque. Remember, the pre-updated Philippine-spec version makes 257 horsepower and 360 Nm of torque.
Of course, the 2024 model is still all-wheel-drive and is still available with a six-speed manual as well as front and rear Torsen limited-slip differentials (LSDs), but Toyota decided to give it a new automatic transmission. No, this isn’t a CVT but is a geared automatic gearbox dubbed the Gazoo Racing Direct 8-speed Automatic Transmission.
2024 GR Yaris engine bay
As per its name, this gearbox was developed by Gazoo Racing for optimal performance. The gearbox itself uses heat-resistant components, close-ratio gearing, and new software that’s able to sense how a driver steps on the gas and brakes. By doing that, the smart gearbox senses when gear shifting is necessary.
The all-wheel-drive, as mentioned retains its mode selection functionality as before. But added was a new drive mode selection. Particularly notable is the GPS-dependent “Circuit Mode” which knows when you’re on a race track or not. This brings out the full potential of the car by lifting its speed limiter, making its cooling fans spin faster, and activating an anti-lag function for its turbocharger.
The new eight-speed Gazoo Racing Direct Automatic Transmission
Last but not least, Toyota also improved the car’s overall rigidity. Spot welding points were increased by 13 percent, while the use of structural adhesive was increased by 24 percent. This, according to Toyota, has improved the car’s ride comfort and handling. In addition, more bolts were used to link the car body with its shock absorbers.
Are you hyped up by the improved 2024 Toyota GR Yaris? We sure are. For now, though, Toyota Motor Philippines is yet to say if units were already allocated for the Philippine market, but one can hope.
For more news and automotive industry updates, keep it here on Philkotse.
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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