The purists doubt it. But how does GR Yaris AT do on track?
Toyota Gazoo Racing calls its GR Yaris Rally a champion built to race, a vehicle born to perform. Developed directly from Toyota’s indomitable multiple championship-winning World Rally experience; the one-of-a-kind GR Yaris is a tribute to the golden era of Japanese performance cars.
Now, Toyota Gazoo has added an automatic version. Which has purists in a tizzy. How can they? They ask. Well, very easily. Here it is. As such, we were delighted to take GR up on its offer to enjoy the newcomer in all its glory while the Extreme Finals prepared in the pits at Zwartkops Raceway.
The new GR Yaris Rally lump retains the world’s most powerful three-cylinder engine. But the compact, lightweight and responsive 1.6-litre turbocharged petrol direct injection lump with its unique block, bespoke pistons, and a single-scroll ball-bearing turbo, has now been massaged to deliver 210kW and 400 Nm of power.
Water injected intercooler for extra might
Add a water injected intercooler to go with the now power and might. Gazoo tells us that GR Yaris will accelerate from zero to 100 km/h in 5.2 seconds and top 230 km/h.
The new torque converter 8-speed automatic joins supercar trends and the 6-speed manual transmission on the range, to propel GR’s Four all-wheel drive. Designed to optimise driving power to each of the four wheels while delivering peak lightweight driving experience, torque between the front and rear axles is governed by a high response coupling, but the driver is always in control.
The driver can also adapt his or her all-wheel drive performance to suit their preference or the driving situation via the simple 4WD mode switch between Normal, Gravel and Track. Still low, wide and dramatic, GR Yaris now looks even more the part in its distinct Toyota Gazoo Racing character. It retains its pillarless three-door body and 91mm lowered polymer roof.
Latest GR Yaris AT looks quite the part
The new car however gains a new look front bumper, spoiler and rear treatment, a cool new taillight cluster, fatter exhausts and rally style 18-inch alloys wheels. All of which makes quite the statement, even before the engine is engaged.
Step inside to all the modern convenience from a cool updated Heads-Up Display
Auto and CarPlay infotainment, enhanced audio and a Type C USB, revamped 4.2″ full-colour TFT multi-information display. There are also several little ergonomic tweaks inside to make the cabin work better. From a lower seat position to a better placed rear view mirror, and more driver centred controls and displays, among them.
There’s also a whole new package of driver support systems that must be switched off to really enjoy this car. We’d far rather have seen a convenient charger pad and full Bluetooth integration for your smartphone along with the kind of bareback beauty that this thing’s JDM looks promise. And deserve.
Ah that GR Yaris AT elephant in the room!
So, how does she run? Well, from a very short point of view, quite brilliantly. A little city driving and some freeway work en route was enough to satisfy us about GR Yaris’ open road capability. And at Zwartkops, a few special tests and laps of the track brought back the car’s splendid natural balance and racy character. Steering is quick and precise as ever. Damping sorted, the brakes true and real and it pulls like all the little bastard it looks.
Ah that elephant in the room! To be honest, there isn’t. The auto box is splendid, well sorted and track ready. It responds well to downshifts on entering a turn hard to be sure to be on the right cog, although we’d preferred if it’d allow us to short shift under power. It insists on revving out on track.
GR Yaris Rally AT comes in at a R27K premium at R971K with a 90,000 km 9 Service plan, 3 years 100,000km warranty and all your expected Toyota plusses. To be honest, the geriatric I am, I far prefer this auto. Sure, the myth of manual is magnificent. And you can still have it. But the Toyota GR Rally Yaris AT is a most welcome addition to the range. Bravo! – Michele Lupini