Toyota GRMN Yaris will conquer dirt and tarmac

GRMN Yaris: Limited to 500 units and exclusive to Japan

Toyota has a lot in store for this year’s Tokyo Auto Salon, but the highlight of their display is arguably the black and red GR Yaris. Did we say GR Yaris? Sorry, we meant the GRMN Yaris. Yes, the two models you see here aren’t just standard GR Yaris models fitted with the newest parts from Toyota Gazoo Racing. Instead, these are fully-fledged GRMN models.

The automaker says the development of the GRMN Yaris began from Morizo’s desire to “deliver cars to customers that evolve quickly and can be tailored to individuals like in the field of motorsports.” Compared to the regular GR Yaris, the GRMN Yaris uses lessons learned from the company’s motorsports arm to further improve performance.

The car is now lighter by 20kg after Toyota removed the rear seats. It also makes use of lightweight carbon-fiber-reinforced plastic (CFRP) for the hood, roof, and spoiler. Vehicle width has been increased by 10mm, while it sits 10mm lower to improve the center of gravity.

The changes don’t end with suspension upgrades and a diet. Toyota Gazoo Racing also fitted a mechanical LSD for the front and rear, a stronger closed-ratio transmission, and a lower final drive set for better acceleration. The chassis itself has also been reinforced with more spot welds, increasing body rigidity. Inside, the standard seats are replaced by lightweight Recaro bucket seats. While the 1.6-liter turbo engine is retained, the GRMN Yaris has more torque at 390 Nm. Power remains unchanged at 272 PS.

In addition to the standard GRMN Yaris, customers will be given the option to upgrade to either the Circuit Package or the Rally Package. The Circuit Package (painted black) comes with BBS GRMN 18-inch wheels, 18-inch brakes, Bilstein shock absorbers, side skirts, and a front lip. Meanwhile, the Rally Package is equipped with GR shock absorbers, under guard set, and a roll bar.

Interested in getting a GRMN Yaris? We have some bad news and really bad news. For starters, Toyota says the GRMN Yaris is limited to only 500 units. But the really bad news is that it will be exclusive to the Japanese market. It won’t be sold on a first-come, first-serve basis either. Interested customers will have to sign up for a web lottery. Only the winners of the web lottery will have the opportunity to purchase the vehicle.

The price of the GRMN Yaris in Japan starts at JPY 7,313,000 or PHP 3,281,000. Opt for the Circuit Package, and the price goes up to JPY 8,467,000 (PHP 3,800,000), while the Rally Package costs JPY 8,378,764 (PHP 3,757,000).

There is a bit of good news, though. Toyota says some of the parts fitted onto the GRMN model will be made available to current GR Yaris owners in the future. This will allow them “to experience some of the GRMN Yaris performance.”