Toyota Gazoo Racing has just unveiled something spicy at the ongoing Tokyo Auto Salon 2022. Dubbed the GRMN Yaris, it’s a hotter version of the Toyota GR Yaris. Just how hot? Well, it’s practically sizzling.
The GRMN Yaris with the Circuit Package (Black) and Rally Package (Red)
Exterior
On the outside, the all-new GRMN Yaris looks downright aggressive, even more so than the regular GR Yaris. This is thanks to the hood and roof, which are both made from carbon-fiber-reinforced plastic (CFRP).
GRMN Yaris with the Circuit Package
Of note, there are also two separate parts packages for the all-new GRMN Yaris. First is the dealer option Rally Package which we’ll talk about later as it focuses on mechanical upgrades.
The other one is the Circuit Package, which offers a set of 18-inch BBS GRMN exclusive wheels, a lip spoiler, and side skirt as well as a carbon fiber rear spoiler. It also has some GR shock absorbers which we’ll also discuss later.
The GRMN Yaris Circuit Package from the rear
Size-wise, the GRMN Yaris with the Circuit package also differs from the regular GR Yaris. It is 4,030mm long, 1,815mm wide, and 1,475mm in height. It is 35mm longer, 10mm wider, and 20mm lower to the ground. It also has a curb weight of 1,260kg, which is 20kg lighter than the regular model.
Interior
Inside, the dashboard looks the same, and it still gets the same climate control system as the regular Japanese-spec GR Yaris. It also lacks the head unit that is available on the standard variant.
Note the lack of a touchscreen headunit
Then again, some space-saving measures have been applied to its interior. Toyota stripped it of its rear seats, replacing them with a body reinforcement brace, while a pair of presumably lighter Recaro bucket seats have been placed in front.
The GRMN Yaris also gets red contrast stitching on its steering wheel, seats, shifter boot, and floor mats. The steering wheel also comes with a red stripe marker to indicate its “dead-ahead” top position.
The rear seats were remove for weight reduction and to make space for the body reinforcement brace
Tech & Safety
To further save weight, Toyota Gazoo Racing didn’t give the GRMN Yaris a touchscreen head unit, only placing a cubby hole where the display would normally be. Then again, this empty space can be used to fit an aftermarket auxiliary gauge screen or other peripheral equipment.
A special gauge cluster for the GRMN Yaris is currently being developed
For safety, the Recaro seats that come with this new version of the GR Yaris have integrated side airbags. It wasn’t stated in the press release, but we can assume that it retains the rest of the safety equipment available on the GR Yaris.
Engine & Performance
Mechanically, the GRMN Yaris is structurally stronger than the regular GR Yaris. This is thanks to the addition of around 540 more spot welds for its unibody frame. Moreover, it also gets an improved manual gearbox with closer gear ratios from the first to fourth gears. All gears were also improved for strength.
The Gazoo Racing reinforced clutch disc and clutch disc cover for the GRMN Yaris
Toyota Gazoo Racing then equipped the GRMN Yaris with a mechanical limited slip differential, replacing the Torsen LSD on the regular GR Yaris.
The GRMN Yaris also uses a 1.6-liter inline-3 turbocharged engine. It can produce up to 272 horsepower and 390 Nm of torque. That’s 20Nm more than the regular Japanese-spec GR Yaris, but its horsepower output remains the same. As a side note, the Philippine-spec GR Yaris makes even less at 257 horsepower.
For the Circuit Package, the GRMN Yaris gets Bilstein damping force adjustable shock absorbers. Stopping power has also been improved with the use of 18-inch brake discs.
The Bilstein damping force type shock absorber for the GRMN Yaris Circuit Package
The Rally Package meanwhile includes a GR shock absorber and short stabilizer link set, a GR under guard set, as well as a GR roll bar.
Price
So, can you buy this very hot hatch? That’s not likely, at least for now.
Toyota will only release 500 GRMN Yaris units, and all of them will be sold in Japan. Moreover, you’ll have to win a lottery to even get the chance of buying this beast. The Circuit Package is even rarer, as only 50 sets will be sold.
The Toyota GRMN Yaris Rally Package
In terms of pricing, the GRMN Yaris starts at the equivalent of around Php 3.2 million before other fees. With the Rally Package, that price is bumped up to around Php 3.756 million. The ultra-limited Circuit Package meanwhile, is priced at Php 3.795 million.
As a consolation of sorts, Toyota will be releasing some of the GRMN Yaris upgrade parts as individual pieces sometime in March 2022. Hopefully, these parts will be made available in the Philippine market.
For the latest car releases, keep reading here on the Philippine’s largest automotive portal.
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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