Toyota South Africa introduces the new GR Yaris

Toyota South Africa has officially launched the much-anticipated updated GR Yaris, elevating its reputation as an exceptional performance vehicle born from its rich history in motorsport. Developed with invaluable insights from the World Rally Championship (WRC), this latest iteration of the beloved GR Yaris is now available locally with a cutting-edge automatic transmission option, further expanding its appeal to performance enthusiasts.

From the outset, the GR Yaris has been meticulously engineered as a rally car for the road. Conceived in close collaboration with Toyota Gazoo Racing and honed through gruelling testing on some of the most challenging rally courses worldwide, this vehicle truly embodies Toyota’s relentless pursuit of building ever-better cars through the realm of motorsport.

Precision Meets Convenience

One of the standout features of the updated GR Yaris is the introduction of the eight-speed Gazoo Racing Direct Automatic Transmission. This advanced gearbox is designed for lightning-fast, responsive gear shifts, allowing drivers to concentrate on their steering and throttle input, especially in dynamic driving situations.

Contrary to traditional automatic transmissions, the GR Yaris is equipped with sophisticated predictive software that anticipates gear changes based on the driver’s behaviour. This results in shifts that are not just intuitive but also fine-tuned for performance.

This innovative transmission has been rigorously tested in real-world and competitive environments, including the Japan Rally Championship. It guarantees shift speeds that meet professional driving standards while ensuring the renowned mechanical reliability and heat resistance crucial for high-adrenaline driving.

World-Class Engineering, Now More Accessible

With the inclusion of the automatic transmission option, Toyota has taken a significant step towards making high-performance motoring more accessible to a broader audience. Whether navigating urban landscapes or pushing the limits on a racetrack, the updated GR Yaris promises an exhilarating yet refined driving experience.

Enhanced Power and Control

The updated GR Yaris showcases an impressive boost in engine output, now generating 210 kW and 400 Nm of torque from its turbocharged 1.6-litre three-cylinder engine. This enhancement reaffirms its status as a leading contender in the performance hatchback realm. Coupled with Toyota’s GR-FOUR all-wheel-drive system, the GR Yaris excels in grip, balance, and agility across various driving conditions, be it on tracks, gravel roads, or everyday highways.

Driver-Centric Design

Further complementing the exhilarating performance is the redesigned interior of the GR Yaris, which prioritises driver ergonomics and control. Key enhancements include a revised seating position, a newly designed 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, and repositioned controls tailored for rally-inspired usage. Additionally, the vehicle offers selectable drive modes – Sport, Normal, and Eco – which adjust steering, throttle, and transmission responses to suit both everyday driving and more focused performance needs.

GR Yaris Pricing

The GR Yaris is available in an array of striking colours, including Glacier White, Platinum Pearl White, Midnight Grey, Lunar Black, and Fierce Red. Pricing stands at R897,400 for the manual version and R925,300 for the automatic. All models come standard with a comprehensive 90,000 km (9 service) plan and a 3-year/100,000 km warranty.