Toyota Unleashes GR Yaris WRC Special Edition, Only 300 Units Available

Toyota Gazoo Racing WRT finished Rally Japan – the final round of the 2023 season – in first, second, and third places. This performance didn't go unnoticed by the peeps at Toyota Germany, which celebrated Gazoo Racing's incredible feat with a special edition of the GR Yaris. Dubbed GR Yaris WRC, the newcomer will number a total of 300 units.

Exclusive to Germany, the GR Yaris WRC is really expensive. €42,490 is roughly $46,700 at current exchange rates, which is crazy for a subcompact hatchback. On the other hand, the GR Yaris isn't your usual econobox. To whom it may concern, the WRC is priced similarly to the compact Focus ST.

The bad news doesn't end here, though. Toyota's German division won't sell the WRC to anyone with €42,490 burning in their pockets. Those interested are required to file an online application, with applications accepted through December 4th. Selected applicants will have 14 days to complete the order, with deliveries starting in the summer of 2024.

Production is expected to start in the first quarter of 2024, with Toyota making the GR Yaris at the Motomachi plant in Japan. Not exactly a coincidence, Motomachi is also the home of the GR Corolla. Both the Yaris and Corolla share the 1.6-liter turbo three-cylinder engine, six-speed manual transmission, and the trick GR-FOUR all-wheel-drive system.

All 300 cars will receive the High Performance Package, which includes Torsen limited-slip differentials. Package content further includes 18-inch forged aluminum wheels, hi-po suspension, as well as red brake calipers with GR branding.

The 300 are getting a customer-specific vehicle setup, whatever that may entail. The only thing that Toyota is willing to share about it at the moment of reporting is that the individual setup leverages Toyota Gazoo Racing WRT's go-faster expertise.

Last but certainly not least, customers are presented with a choice of two colors, those paint colors being red or white. Under the hood, the 1.6er is unchanged from the standard model. That means 192 kW at full chatter, which converts to 261 ps or 257 hp.

Toyota promises 100 kilometers per hour (62 miles per hour) in as little as 5.5 seconds, a metric that shouldn't even be a thing for this category of vehicle. After all, manual-equipped hot hatchbacks reward drivers in the twisties rather than on the drag strip.

The WLTP combined fuel consumption for the Euro-spec GR Yaris is 8.2 liters per 100 kilometers, meaning 28.9 miles per gallon. By comparison, the GR Corolla offers no more than 24 miles per gallon (9.8 liters per 100 kilometers) according to the EPA. The GR Corolla isn't available in Europe, for it would cannibalize the already expensive GR Yaris.