Toyota Launches An Improved GR Yaris With An Optional Automatic Gearbox

Meet the thoroughly improved GR Yaris. The naturally outlandish sporty top version of the Yaris becomes stronger, gets an automatic transmission, has a completely new interior, and shows what you can expect from the facelifted regular new Yaris.

Since the powerful drivetrain is even more of an attraction to the GR Yaris than its sporty appearance, we will start with that. The blown-out 1.6-cylinder remains, but gains 19 hp and now increases to 280 hp and 390 Nm. The six-speed manual transmission also remains, but for the first time, the Toyota GR Yaris can be ordered with an automatic transmission if desired. That is a brand new eight-speed automatic transmission that is fully called Gazoo Racing Direct Automatic Transmission. It rams through the gears faster than the most gifted self-switch can. Furthermore, the chassis has been modified and should be stiffer than ever before. The suspension has also been revised, with stiffer dampers at the front. A limited-slip differential remains part of the GR Yaris recipe.

The revised Toyota GR Yaris has a double meaning. It largely shows what you can expect from the regular Yaris to be facelifted. Forget the extra-thick appearance of the GR Yaris for a moment. That leaves brand new and visually linked taillights. Striking: The Toyota logo that was previously between the rear lights makes way for the third brake light that was previously incorporated in the rear spoiler. Furthermore, the bumper work of the GR Yaris has been thoroughly renewed all around. Particularly at the front, the Japanese is even more aggressive than it already was.

The interior has also been completely overhauled. That takes some getting used to. The dashboard now consists mainly of a curved panel that is more or less shaped around the driver. The angular whole includes the now 12.3-inch digital infotainment screen that no longer protrudes slightly from the dashboard as before. This, together with a slightly displaced interior mirror, provides better forward visibility. The instruments are also completely different. The cozy round elements in which the several small displays of instruments are incorporated, as you know from the Yaris are done. Good news for those who could not find a nice seating position in the GR Yaris: this has also been improved, according to Toyota. The driver’s seat is now 2.5 centimeters lower in the car, and the position of the steering wheel has also been adjusted.

The updated GR Yaris will be launched on the market in the summer of this year.

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