Toyota GR-4 Yaris unveiled – 192kW and all-wheel drive!

“I want to get back a Toyota sports car. I’ve always thought so. 86 is an important companion on both rallies and circuits. Supra was also revived as a car worthy of its name. But I still want a sports car that Toyota makes with my own hands. That thought was always in my heart. I also wanted to make a Toyota sports car that incorporates the technology and skills I gained there in the WRC.

“This GR-FOUR is a sports car made by Toyota from the ground up to win in the world. Until now, Toyota has been making cars that are used by ordinary customers and remodeling them so that they can be used for racing in those cars.

“This time is different. To win the race, for the car to be out there GR YARIS is a car that was created based on a completely reversing idea of what cars should be used by ordinary customers.”

These are the words from Mr. Akio Toyoda, Toyota Motor Corporation President and master driver, that accompany today’s unveiling of the highly anticipated Toyota GR-4 Yaris.

After a string of teasers and spy photos, the production version of the GR-4 Yaris hot hatch has been finally unwrapped at the 2020 Tokyo Auto Salon. Based on the rally racing model that competed in the 2019 World Rally Championship, the GR-4 Yaris sports a newly developed 4WD platform adopted from the rally car, making it the only car in its class to feature all-wheel drive, as both the Fiesta ST and Polo GTI are front-wheel drive.

Motivating the GR-4 Yaris is a new 1.6-litre 3-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine equipped with Toyota’s high-speed combustion technology for greater thermal efficiency and less energy loss. With optimized intake and exhaust systems, the engine produces 192kW of power, achieving the world’s highest output for a 3-cylinder engine.

The new high output engine is combined with a 6-speed manual gearbox that is said to have been tuned specifically to harvest the maximum from the engine and 4WD.

To ensure optimum handling and performance, the GR-4 Yaris uses lightweight materials in its construction, including the use of aluminium for the bonnet, rear hatch and door panels. Carbon fibre reinforced plastic (CFRP) is also used for the roof panel to keep the centre of gravity low.

Hitting showrooms in certain world markets from mid 2020, the GR-4 Yaris will be available in a RZ “First Edition” and RZ “High-performance First Edition” special edition models.