Photo: Toyota
It's been almost four years since Toyota introduced the GR Yaris, and this model has turned out to be one major promoter for the brand's sporty GR family. We haven't heard anything about it officially for a good while now, but if a recent report turns out to be correct, then it is only a matter of time until it embraces its mid-cycle refresh.
According to a report released by Japan's Best Car, the rally-bred hot hatch of subcompact proportions will be facelifted soon. You can expect the usual modifications at both ends, likely consisting of new bumpers and lighting units, and perhaps a digital instrument cluster similar to the one of its larger sibling, the Toyota GR Corolla, replacing the analog gauges in the existing model.
Nothing out of the ordinary so far, but we are only getting to the supposed good part. You see, besides the visual tweaks with a potential tech boost, the facelifted GR Yaris is rumored to get a bit more oomph. 300 horsepower (304 ps/224 kW) is expected from the 1.6-liter three-pot, which would make it just as punchy as the GR Corolla. Both models have identical thrust at 273 lb-ft (370 Nm), but it is worth noting that the special GRMN Yaris featured 288 lb-ft (390 Nm).
Now, we should mention the fact that the three-banger is rated at 268 hp (272 ps/200 kW) and 273 pound-feet (370 Nm) in Japan. Europe's variant, on the other hand, is less powerful, at 257 hp (261 ps/192 kW) and 266 lb-ft (360 Nm). The GR Yaris boasts all-wheel drive, as it uses a mix of the GA-B (normal Yaris) and GA-C (Corolla) architectures, and the mid-cycle refresh will retain those underpinnings.
Another novelty might revolve around the transmission. The current GR Yaris is only available with a six-speed manual, but if the report coming from the Land of the Rising Sun is correct, then it might get an automatic option with eight gears and a dual-clutch for fast shifts. It may be too early to speak about a similar unit making its way to the larger hot hatch, but it just might. Some chassis revisions are also possible.
The alleged information states that the facelifted GR Yaris will hit the assembly line early next year. That probably means we will see it sitting under the spotlight officially in a few months, so a possible unveiling might take place before the end of 2023. We cannot wait to lay eyes on this fabulous hot hatch, assuming it is indeed getting a significant refresh, as it is one of the best cars in the segment. Nonetheless, due to the implementation of an all-wheel drive system, it doesn't really have any direct rivals.
Nothing out of the ordinary so far, but we are only getting to the supposed good part. You see, besides the visual tweaks with a potential tech boost, the facelifted GR Yaris is rumored to get a bit more oomph. 300 horsepower (304 ps/224 kW) is expected from the 1.6-liter three-pot, which would make it just as punchy as the GR Corolla. Both models have identical thrust at 273 lb-ft (370 Nm), but it is worth noting that the special GRMN Yaris featured 288 lb-ft (390 Nm).
Now, we should mention the fact that the three-banger is rated at 268 hp (272 ps/200 kW) and 273 pound-feet (370 Nm) in Japan. Europe's variant, on the other hand, is less powerful, at 257 hp (261 ps/192 kW) and 266 lb-ft (360 Nm). The GR Yaris boasts all-wheel drive, as it uses a mix of the GA-B (normal Yaris) and GA-C (Corolla) architectures, and the mid-cycle refresh will retain those underpinnings.
Another novelty might revolve around the transmission. The current GR Yaris is only available with a six-speed manual, but if the report coming from the Land of the Rising Sun is correct, then it might get an automatic option with eight gears and a dual-clutch for fast shifts. It may be too early to speak about a similar unit making its way to the larger hot hatch, but it just might. Some chassis revisions are also possible.
The alleged information states that the facelifted GR Yaris will hit the assembly line early next year. That probably means we will see it sitting under the spotlight officially in a few months, so a possible unveiling might take place before the end of 2023. We cannot wait to lay eyes on this fabulous hot hatch, assuming it is indeed getting a significant refresh, as it is one of the best cars in the segment. Nonetheless, due to the implementation of an all-wheel drive system, it doesn't really have any direct rivals.
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