Toyota GR Yaris Circuit Pack
The Toyota GR Yaris is the car enthusiasts had given up hope of ever seeing again — a proper rally homologation special built from the ground up by Toyota Gazoo Racing. Unlike most hot hatchbacks that are simply modified versions of standard cars, the GR Yaris was engineered as a performance car first, sharing almost nothing with the regular Yaris. It features a unique three-door body (the standard Yaris is five-door only), a bespoke carbon fiber roof, aluminum body panels, and a completely different platform from the B-pillar back. The heart of the car is the G16E-GTS — the most powerful production three-cylinder engine ever made, producing 261 horsepower and 360 Nm of torque from just 1.6 liters. This engine feeds into the GR-Four AWD system, a sophisticated all-wheel-drive system with three selectable torque split modes: 60:40 Normal, 30:70 Sport, and 50:50 Track. The car was built at Toyota's GR Factory within the Motomachi plant, using specialized production techniques that included hand-finishing by master craftsmen. The GR Yaris proves that the spirit of the homologation special is alive and well, and Toyota GAZOO Racing president Akio Toyoda deserves credit for pushing this uncompromising car into production against considerable internal resistance.
Strong dealer demand means limited discounting. The 6-speed manual is the purist's choice (an 8-speed automatic was added later). Circuit Pack adds LSD front and rear plus larger brakes. Check for evidence of track use. The G16E-GTS engine responds well to tuning but maintains warranty if serviced at Toyota. Carbon fiber roof panel replacement is expensive if damaged.
Built at the dedicated GR Factory within the Motomachi plant in Toyota City. The car shares very few components with the standard Yaris. President Akio Toyoda personally championed the project.