Photo: Toyota
Toyota GR Supra, Celica GT-FOUR, Gazoo Racing, Tommi Mäkinen Racing. Somehow, all these names have something in common with the newest, hottest Japanese hatchback, presented on Friday (January 10) at the 2020 Tokyo Auto Salon.
The premiere Japanese auto show is the place chosen by Toyota to unveil the brand new GR Yaris, a race-bred machine that for the first time since the 1999 Celica GT-FOUR will become the official homologation model for development of the next Toyota World Rally Championship car.
Developed together with Gazoo Racing and Tommi Mäkinen Racing, the car uses a brand new platform, a new engine, new suspension system and, for the first time, a genuine all-wheel-drive system. That’s all the best technology for the second GR Toyota model after the Supra and the top level model in its range.
As the heart of the machine sits an all new 1.6-liter turbo engine linked to a six-speed manual transmission for ultimate control thrills.
And not just any engine, but a three-cylinder one that develops 261 hp and 360 Nm of torque. The figures are incredibly impressive for a car that weighs just 1,280 kg (kerb weight). With these specs behind it, the GR Yaris has been measured to reach 62 mph in under 5.5 seconds and has a top speed of 230 kph (143 mph).
The engine’s power is sent to the GR-FOUR all-wheel-drive system, which is linked to two Torsen limited-slip differentials (when the car is equipped with the optional Circuit Pack). The system can be set by the driver in either normal or track mode, changing the way the car behaves depending on needs and driving style.
“One of Toyota Gazoo Racing’s commitments is to use motorsport to refine its knowhow and its personnel, with the aim of launching world-class production sports cars,” said in a statement Gazoo Racing President Shigeki Tomoyama
“While the new GR Supra is a sports car developed through track racing, the GR Yaris has been devised through our participation in rallies – something that many of our fans have been waiting for.”
The 2020 GR Yaris will be produced in Motomachi, Japan, and it will become available in the second half of this year.
Developed together with Gazoo Racing and Tommi Mäkinen Racing, the car uses a brand new platform, a new engine, new suspension system and, for the first time, a genuine all-wheel-drive system. That’s all the best technology for the second GR Toyota model after the Supra and the top level model in its range.
As the heart of the machine sits an all new 1.6-liter turbo engine linked to a six-speed manual transmission for ultimate control thrills.
And not just any engine, but a three-cylinder one that develops 261 hp and 360 Nm of torque. The figures are incredibly impressive for a car that weighs just 1,280 kg (kerb weight). With these specs behind it, the GR Yaris has been measured to reach 62 mph in under 5.5 seconds and has a top speed of 230 kph (143 mph).
The engine’s power is sent to the GR-FOUR all-wheel-drive system, which is linked to two Torsen limited-slip differentials (when the car is equipped with the optional Circuit Pack). The system can be set by the driver in either normal or track mode, changing the way the car behaves depending on needs and driving style.
“One of Toyota Gazoo Racing’s commitments is to use motorsport to refine its knowhow and its personnel, with the aim of launching world-class production sports cars,” said in a statement Gazoo Racing President Shigeki Tomoyama
“While the new GR Supra is a sports car developed through track racing, the GR Yaris has been devised through our participation in rallies – something that many of our fans have been waiting for.”
The 2020 GR Yaris will be produced in Motomachi, Japan, and it will become available in the second half of this year.
Google News