Today, we're excited about another generational battle between the "old" Toyota GR Yaris and the new one. We'll see a bitter rivalry between two manual versions, but to add some extra spice, the stakes get higher with an automatic gearbox thrown into the mix. And no, it's not dual-clutch.
Looking strictly from the outside, the new Toyota GT Yaris brought some small upgrades here and there. Not really a revolution in design, but more like a welcomed refresh.
A new gray color has been introduced next to the Super White, Platinum White Pearl MC, Precious Black, and Emotional Red 2. Aside from the new paint job, the front bumper went through a style change, along with the side vents, for smoother airflow.
The brakes and wheels stay the same, which isn't a negative thing by any means. The new spoiler now looks more like part of the body, as a visual extension of the car. The dedicated tail light has been moved down a bit to fit more neatly with the rest of the lights.
On the inside, however, the changes become instantly apparent. The dash, dials, driving modes, and other bits and pieces received "quality of life" improvements, making things more accessible for the driver. The dash looks like it's part of a small cubicle, but inside the car.
People with geometric OCD will find the new symmetry pleasing to the eye. Not to mention the door switches, that are now more ergonomic. There are a lot more changes to discuss, but we need to get on with our show. Though not before making a short stop under the hood, where it counts the most.
Photo: carwow
The new GR Yaris comes packing a 1.6-liter 3-cylinder turbocharged engine that received a 14 hp and a 22 lb-ft torque bump compared to the 2020 model. It now delivers 276 hp and 288 lb-ft or 390 Nm of torque.
At the starting line, we have an old manual GR Yaris and a new manual, but we also have one with an automatic transmission system. The new auto gearbox doesn't use a dual-clutch system, but Toyota went for a torque converter. Naohiko Saito, the chief engineer, said they took the smoothness of the ride into consideration, hence the torque converter.
Skipping the typical exhaust sound check, they went straight for the 1/4-mile. Behind the automatic variant lies Mat Watson from the "carwow" YouTube channel. He won the first race, with the new manual coming in second and the old version in third.
There was another race, where things got really interesting. The new manual version launched like a bat out of hell, getting in front of Mat. However, by the end, the automatic gearbox won the day with 2-0-0.
The final results are in, with the winner hitting 60 mph in 5.10 seconds, 62 mph or 100 kph in 5.41 seconds, and the quarter mile in 13.61 seconds. The new GR Yaris manual version went from 0-60 mph in 5.06 seconds, from 0-62 mph (100 kph) in 5.78 seconds, and 13.67 seconds for the quarter mile. Lastly, the 2020 GR Yaris scored a 6-second flat on the 0-60 mph test, then 6.37 seconds from 0 to 62 mph, and 14.12 seconds at the finish line.
While we don't know the price yet at the time of writing, at least we know what to look forward to when it releases this summer in the European markets.
Codrin just loves American classics, from the 1940s and ‘50s, all the way to the muscle cars of the '60s and '70s. In his perfect world, we'll still see Hudsons and Road Runners roaming the streets for years to come (even in EV form, if that's what it takes to keep the aesthetic alive). Full profile
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