Toyota GRMN Yaris: the most “evil” version of the iconic Japanese hot hatch is presented

Last updated Apr 16, 2022

Toyota showed at the Tokyo Motor Show a four-wheel drive hatchback GR Yaris modified taking into account racing experience and called it the GRMN Yaris – only 500 copies will be produced and only for the Japanese market. The mysterious front-engined Toyota GR GT3 coupe has made its debut here in Tokyo.

Hot hatch Toyota GR Yaris debuted two years ago and since then has rightfully earned the status of a cult car in Europe and Japan, because today none of the competitors offers anything like it. The GR Yaris has become, in fact, the only selling point for oil lovers in the small class and, most likely, the last in history. The Japanese hot hatch is actively involved in professional motorsport, circuit racing and rallying. The experience gained from operating these machines in “combat” mode, which Toyota Gazoo Racing specialists used to refine the road car, made it even faster and more accurate in control.

PCB Toyota GRMN Yaris

The new limited edition, dubbed the GRMN Yaris, is 10mm wider and 10mm lower than the GR Yaris. The rear wheel track has been increased by 5 mm. The weight is reduced by 30 kg due to the elimination of the rear seat, which is now replaced by a spacer, which gives the body additional rigidity. For the same purpose, 545 welding points were added to the body, the length of the adhesive seams was increased by 12 m. Now not only the roof is made of carbon fiber, but also the hood and rear spoiler. Inside, there are new Recaro sports buckets and a new dashboard design.

The engine is the same – a 1.6-liter gasoline “turbo engine” with a capacity of 272 hp, but the maximum torque has been increased from 370 to 390 Nm, and the “platform” has become narrower – from 3200 at 4000 rpm from the previous 3000-4600 rpm Gear ratios have been revised in the 6-speed manual transmission: the main gear has become “shorter” (4250 instead of 3941), the first one, on the contrary, is “longer” (3214 instead of 3538), the third one is “shorter” (1592 versus 1535). The clutch is reinforced, and the center differentials are no longer Torsen, but with a forced mechanical lock, which works faster than self-locking Torsen.

Toyota GRMN Yaris rally package

In addition, two options packages have been prepared for the GRMN Yaris: a circular (Track Pack, only 50 copies will be released) and a rally (Rally Pack). The Circuit package includes more powerful brakes, new Bilstein springs and adjustable dampers, 18-inch BBS wheels, a splitter under the front bumper and a more developed “double-deck” rear wing. The rally package includes ground clearance increased by 10 mm to 130 mm, underbody protection, special shock absorbers and anti-roll bars, as well as a roll cage in the cabin.

The most expensive GRMN Yaris with a set of rings is estimated at 8,467,000 yen, or 5.52 million conventional units in translation at the current rate. It will be possible to buy Yaris GRMN in the summer, and since there are much more people who want it than the planned circulation, the manufacturer will raffle off the right to buy it in the lottery.

Toyota GR GT3 Concept

Another interesting novelty at the Toyota stand in Tokyo was the GR GT3 Concept sports car, but, unfortunately, there are no details about it yet, so it makes no sense to make a separate note. From the pictures you can understand that the Toyota GR GT3 is a front-engined coupe with an internal combustion engine (exhaust pipes on the thresholds indicate this). Based on the simplistic wording in the press release, one would expect the GR GT3 to be stock, but when and in what form one can only guess.