Exciting Enhancements Elevate The Iconic Toyota GR Yaris
By Blessing Mtshakazi
The legendary Toyota GR Yaris has undergone a remarkable transformation, receiving a host of upgrades in technology, design, and construction. These enhancements are set to redefine the driving experience, making it more powerful, responsive, engaging, and ultimately more gratifying. Over the past three years, the relentless pursuit of perfection has fuelled intensive efforts to elevate every aspect of this pocket-rocket, ensuring it stands out as a pinnacle of automotive excellence.
The distinctive GR Yaris chassis has undergone further fortification, while the interior has been meticulously redesigned to create a genuine sports car atmosphere, whether cruising the streets or tearing up the track in motorsports competition. Suspension tweaks, including adjusted spring rates and a reinforced front shock absorber assembly, deliver enhanced handling control and robust performance under demanding conditions.
The GR Yaris, once exclusively equipped with a six-speed manual transmission, now broadens its appeal with the introduction of an automatic option, developed through rigorous testing in professional motorsport. The TGR World Rally Team rigorously evaluated the new automatic transmission across various terrains, including the challenging Japanese Rally Championship and Toyota GAZOO Racing Rally Challenge, ensuring its durability and reliability under the most demanding conditions.
The transmission's control software has been fine-tuned for dynamic driving, intuitively anticipating gear shifts based on the driver's accelerator and brake inputs, ensuring lightning-fast and responsive shifts. Constructed with heat-resistant clutch materials and featuring close ratios optimized for the engine's power band, the eight-speed automatic complements the GR Yaris' dynamic 1.6-litre turbocharged three-cylinder engine.
Power enthusiasts will rejoice as the engine's maximum outputs receive a boost, climbing from 200kW to an impressive 224kW at 6500rpm, with torque also surging by 30Nm to 400Nm between 3250-4600rpm. Power is seamlessly distributed to all four wheels through selectable torque distribution and a new drive mode select system, allowing users to tailor electronic power steering, air conditioning, and powertrain settings to their preferences.
Inside and out, the GR Yaris undergoes a visual makeover, with the dashboard and multimedia screen tilted 15 degrees towards the driver, enhancing operability. Safety and convenience take center stage with additional active safety features and the integration of Toyota Connected Services for heightened occupant protection.
The refreshed GR Yaris encapsulates everything that made its predecessor a triumph, pushing the boundaries even further. With these exciting upgrades, it is poised to establish itself as a leader in its segment. Toyota South Africa Motors has confirmed consideration for the introduction of the revamped GR Yaris locally, with further details eagerly anticipated in due course.
