Photo: Toyota
When talking sporty cars, Toyota is lacking in this department. With the exception of the GT 86 and Yaris GRMN, there’s no other truly exciting Toyota sitting idly in the dealer lot. That’s if you live anywhere else except Japan, a place where the automaker lifted the veils off the GR sports car range.
Until today, the G Sports served as the most driver-oriented derivative of Toyota’s Japanese lineup. With the help of Gazoo Racing, the JDM scene now welcomes the GR and GR Sport models. It should be noted that GR Sport is the entry-level spec, GR is mid-range, and GRMN is cream of the crop.
As if Toyota wants to be sure we’re aware of its sporting ambitions, almost the entirety of the automaker’s Japanese lineup can be specified in GR and GR Sport attire. From the Vitz (Yaris) to the Harrier mid-size crossover utility vehicle, there’s plenty of choice for people who are interested in spirited cars.
And yes, even the Prius PHV and Noah multi-purpose vehicle are available in GR Sport configuration. The most interesting proposition is the 86 GR, which adds plenty of goodies over the standard 86. These are bigger brakes, superior aero, Sachs shock absorbers, Torsen limited-slip differential, body-hugging Recaro seats, smaller steering wheel, and forged aluminum wheels. Unfortunately no, more power from the 2.0-liter boxer isn’t on the menu.
Although unconfirmed, it’s likely the all-new Toyota Supra will receive the GR badge on its trunk lid. The best case scenario would be the GRMN specification in conjunction with the range-topping 3.0-liter straight-six engine. Speculation aside, the good news is that the GR family of models won’t be exclusive to Japan. With a little bit of patience, Europe and the United States will also experience the go-faster Toyotas, but not all of them.
The Yaris GRMN is only the first step in Toyota’s ambition to be taken more seriously on a worldwide scale, and for a first effort, boy did these guys work their magic. Not only is it the most interesting subcompact hot hatchback out there, but it sets the stage for even more exciting GRMN models.
As if Toyota wants to be sure we’re aware of its sporting ambitions, almost the entirety of the automaker’s Japanese lineup can be specified in GR and GR Sport attire. From the Vitz (Yaris) to the Harrier mid-size crossover utility vehicle, there’s plenty of choice for people who are interested in spirited cars.
And yes, even the Prius PHV and Noah multi-purpose vehicle are available in GR Sport configuration. The most interesting proposition is the 86 GR, which adds plenty of goodies over the standard 86. These are bigger brakes, superior aero, Sachs shock absorbers, Torsen limited-slip differential, body-hugging Recaro seats, smaller steering wheel, and forged aluminum wheels. Unfortunately no, more power from the 2.0-liter boxer isn’t on the menu.
Although unconfirmed, it’s likely the all-new Toyota Supra will receive the GR badge on its trunk lid. The best case scenario would be the GRMN specification in conjunction with the range-topping 3.0-liter straight-six engine. Speculation aside, the good news is that the GR family of models won’t be exclusive to Japan. With a little bit of patience, Europe and the United States will also experience the go-faster Toyotas, but not all of them.
The Yaris GRMN is only the first step in Toyota’s ambition to be taken more seriously on a worldwide scale, and for a first effort, boy did these guys work their magic. Not only is it the most interesting subcompact hot hatchback out there, but it sets the stage for even more exciting GRMN models.
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