Toyota never expected the GR Yaris to sell as well as it did. Built purely to meet rally homologation regulations, Toyota even made a GR Yaris RS. This variant utilised the bodywork of the GR Yaris but the drivetrain of a regular Yaris.

A four-wheel drive pocket rocket with one of the best current production engines meant that the car was an instant hit. Toyota reliability and the availability of aftermarket components further drove demand up. As demand has been strong, the Japanese automaker has decided to launch a facelifted version.

What’s New?

The updated car receives a refreshed front bumper. It has been designed to be practical – the corners of the bumper can be replaced if they are damaged.The rear tailgate panel has also been brought right up-to-date, and now features a lightbar that spans the bottom part of the aforementioned panel.

Toyota has also managed to extract more power from the G16E-GTS turbocharged inline three. It now develops 300 bhp, and comes from upgraded engine internals (including lightweight pistons), as well as revisions to injector and air intake pressure.

An optional eight speed torque converter automatic has also been added to the lineup. Other revisions include additional bolts to hold the suspension to the chassis of the vehicle, and extra welding/structural adhesive to further increase rigidity. 

A driver-centric cabin has also been introduced. You’ll find a new 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster that comes with GR-specific graphics, and a new infotainment system. No official word on pricing on market-specific availability just yet, aside from that it’d be made available in its native Japan in the coming months.

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