Toyota unveiled an updated GR Yaris model replete with styling changes and completely redesigned cabin at the Tokyo Auto Salon show. Image: Toyota Newsroom
Toyota fixes EVERYTHING that was wrong with the old GR Yaris
Toyota says they’ve ironed out the issues raised by racing drivers, owners and the media about the GR Yaris as they unveiled the updated car.
Toyota unveiled an updated GR Yaris model replete with styling changes and completely redesigned cabin at the Tokyo Auto Salon show. Image: Toyota Newsroom
Almost four years after launching the GR Yaris, Toyota has unveiled an updated model that they say addresses the shortcomings of the first iteration. They’ve also added a two-pedal derivative that features an eight-speed torque converter transmission.
For 2024, the GR Yaris’ engine has increased power, 206kW and 390Nm, and modifications have been made to make the motor more resilient. It features new lightweight pistons with wear-resistant rings and a new intake pressure sensor.
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THE UPDATED TOYOTA GR YARIS WILL ONLY BE AVAILABLE IN THE ‘CIRCUIT’ SPECIFICATION
The engineers were given a brief on “develop, race, break, fix,” according to the carmaker. Chief engineer Naohiko Saito said: “Every aspect of the new GR Yaris incorporates the know-how and expertise fed back from actual motorsport situations and from our Master Driver and race and rally drivers.”
The carmaker says the car’s kerb weight is 1280kg and 1300kg for the auto version. The details the engineers have gone into to make the body more rigid include a 13% increase in spot welds and the application of around 24% more structural adhesive.
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WHAT’S NEW ON THE UPDATED MODEL COMPARED TO THE GR YARIS LAUNCHED IN 2020?
There are several changes to the updated model that we could mention, but the main ones have to do with feedback received from customers and during the testing period done by Toyota’s master drivers.
1. The driver’s seat has been lowered by 25mm, and the steering wheel has been adjusted accordingly.
2. There are new configurable drive modes (Sport, Normal and Eco). The modes offer different settings for the electric power steering, air conditioning operation, throttle response and the driver’s instrument display.
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3. One big criticism of the initial model was the narrow view between the infotainment screen and the rearview mirror. For 2024, Toyota says the driver’s field of vision has been improved by dropping the top edge of the instrument panel by 50mm, changing the position of the rearview mirror and angling the control panel 15 degrees further towards the driver.
4. On the exterior, there’s a new steel mesh for the lower grille, which has been optimised for the best balance of thickness, strength and weight reduction, says the carmaker.
5. At the rear, changes have been made to reduce drag, improve the car’s manoeuvrability and stability, and disperse heat from the exhaust system.
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