Toyota GR Yaris showered with love at Tokyo Auto Salon

At the weekend’s Tokyo Auto Salon, Toyota showed that its frequent and substantial evolution to the ultra-hot GR Yaris hatchback, which is only three years old, isn’t over. Showing the theme of “making cars raised in better motorsport,” the automaker brought three new versions to the show.

The “High Performance Sebastien Ogier Edition Concept” and the GR Yaris RZ “High Performance Carre Rovanpera Edition Concept” were developed with input from Toyota’s WRC drivers. The differences are mostly cosmetic, but this is the first time we’ve seen two champions using the same tools. Ogier won the WRC title in 2021 and Rovanpera won the WRC title in 2022. Beyond that duo, the ‘GR Yaris Rally2 Concept’ is a prototype built to Rally2 specifications for privateer and customer teams to run the FIA ​​World Rally Championship (WRC).

Ogier’s GR Yaris adds a large rear stabilizer and blue brake calipers and comes in a special glossy silver bi-tone with black accents on the doors. The cabin steering wheel has special red, white and blue stitching, and the 4WD mode selector unlocks control programming specific to this trim. Rovanpera’s GR Yaris features a revised rear wing, unnamed aerodynamics, red brake calipers and a red, white and gray camouflage pattern. Blue and silver stitching adorn the steering wheel, shifter boot, parking brake handle and seats, and 4WD mode programming reflects Rovanpera’s input. Both cars have 287 lb-ft of beefed-up torque. Toyota is considering naming all of its WRC race cars after their purchasers to show that customers are “our partners in competing in the WRC.”

The GR Yaris Rally 2 Concept will have another year of testing this year. The race division will enter the All Japan Rally Championship and continue development, aiming to complete homologation by January 2024.

Finally, for owners who want to be themselves, a wide range of GR Yaris Performance Parts will be available at the GR Garage Outlet in Japan starting later this month. Subtle mods include a new steering wheel, lightweight shift knob, parking brake lever and full bucket seats. Hardcore includes a set of track-focused GR shocks and a carbon fiber rear stabilizer. Items like the carbon fiber hood, NACA ducts, and cold air intake are in between.

I can only hope that Toyota will show a lot of love to the GR Corolla.The show also included the GR Corolla Aero Concept.The aerodynamic nose cone, rear V-brace, aerodynamic door mirror fins, etc. There’s probably a better shot at getting some of the new GR parts announced for the GR86 being released in Japan.