Watch Out for Burns: 2024 Toyota GR Yaris Hot Hatch Is Now an Auto and Packs More Power

Known to the world as the Toyota GR Yaris, the hot hatchback became an object of desire for those wishing to be treated to incredible thrills onboard a compact car. So much so, that no less than 18,000 examples have been sold since four years ago in Europe alone – not that much to count in Toyota's vast treasury, but impressive for such a niche segment.

Now that the 2024 Tokyo Auto Salon officially kicked off in the Japanese capital, Toyota decided it was time to refresh the model. Just as hinted over the past couple of days, the changes are extensive, and they touch everything, from the way the car looks to the way it drives on the road or on the track.

There are so many new things on the car that it's difficult to choose what to start with. Seeing how the GR Yaris was equipped at the time of its introduction with the world's most powerful three-cylinder production engine, we'll start with the changes made to the car's powertrain.

Generally speaking the powerplant remains in the same configuration, but some of its elements, including the valvetrain, fuel injection pressure, and pistons have been refined. The work Toyota performed on the car's heart led to a significant jump in power levels, making the engine even more impressive than it was.

As per the carmaker, total power has been increased by 19 hp, while torque levels have jumped by no less than 30 Nm. As a result the new numbers stand at 261 hp and 360 Nm of torque.

For the past four years the GR Yaris was offered with a single choice of transmission, a six-speed manual that proved absolutely perfect for the ultimate thrills on the track. It seems as though people have been dreaming of the car itself making all the shifting, so Toyota responded with the introduction of an automatic tranny.

Tweaked by Gazoo Racing, the eight-speed auto is offered as an option to the standard six-speed, and promises to deliver competition-fast gear changes.

The increase in power for the engine and the fitting of the new transmission meant Toyota needed to make some changes to the chassis as well. Made by combining the GA-B Yaris platform front section with the GA-C platform rear end, the chassis is now more rigid than ever before. A 13 percent increase in spot welds and 24 percent more structural adhesive help with that too.

There are changes to the suspension system as well. The Yaris still relies on MacPherson hardware to get the job done (struts and rear double wishbones with trailing arms), but this has been tweaked by adding extra bolts to the front shock absorbers and fitting new front and rear springs.

Although it largely remains the same, visually, one can't stop from noticing Toyota devised changes to the car's body as well, compared to the version that came before. However, when you place it side by side with the standard Yaris, you quickly realize the GR is an entirely different monster altogether.

For the new generation the front lower grille received a new, lighter mesh. The lower bumper, a body element that takes a lot of beating during competitive driving, now comes in a split design that should make it easier to replace when damaged.

Less visible but a lot more functional are the upgrades made to the interior. Because the GR Yaris is one to take to the track, the modifications made here have been imagined as a means to make it easier for the driver to, well, drive.

The biggest change is the repositioning of the controls. The one for the intercooler spray, VSC-OFF and hazard lights are now easier to reach, even when a racing harness wraps around the driver.

The field of view has been increased by lowering the top edge of the instrument panel by 50 mm and repositioning the rearview mirror. The driver's seat is 25 mm lower than before, and in front of it sits a new 12.3-inch digital screen.

Toyota says it will launch the new GR Yaris on the European market in the summer of this year. No mention is made yet of its price.

The same color choices as before are on the table for the new model (Emotional Red, Precious Black and Super White/Platinum White Pearlescent), but a new one joins the ranks as well: Precious Metal.

There will be a single trim level available, the Circuit – it's the one that, no coincidence here, accounted for the bulk of the model's sales in Europe in the previous incarnations of the Yaris.

There will however be more such hot hatches released, in the form of two special versions. Both are dedicated to Toyota's World Rally Championship (WRC) drivers. The GR Yaris Sébastien Ogier Special Edition and Kalle Rovanperä Special Edition will be unveiled at the end of the month, during the opening stage of the 2024 WRC season at Rallye Monte-Carlo.