Toyota unveils the GR Yaris GRMN. This lightened GR Yaris, with revised chassis and transmission for even more efficiency in sporty driving, is limited to 500 units and reserved for Japan. To afford it, customers must provide the equivalent of at least €56,000.
If the major international shows are more than ever in danger, the Tokyo Auto Salon is doing well. The 2022 edition of this annual Japanese event dedicated to vehicles prepared for sport is in full swing, and some local manufacturers are present in force. Toyota unveils the GR Yaris GRMN, an (even more) radical variant of the GR Yaris, developed by Gazoo Racing under the supervision of big boss Akio Toyoda himself. The bodybuilt city car takes up the initials meaning “Gazoo Racing Masters of Nürburgring”, inaugurated on the previous generation of Yaris. But it is, alas, reserved for the Japanese market.
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A GR Yaris with even sharper behavior
The GR Yaris has been entered in multiple competitions in Japan (the Super Taikyu Cup and the Japanese Rally Championship) in the year since its launch. Gazoo Racing built on these experiences to further improve the Yaris for heavy duty use. Compared to the standard GR Yaris, this GRMN has been lightened by around 20 kg thanks to the use of CFRP (plastic/carbon composition) for its bonnet, its roof and its spoiler, but also thanks to the removal of the bench seat. rear, replaced by a reinforcement bar. It thus displays 1,250 kg empty. The body has been reinforced with additional spot welds for greater rigidity. A widening of the tracks led to a total widening of 1 cm, and the ground clearance was lowered by the same amount.
In Japan, the base GR Yaris pulls 272 hp and 370 Nm of torque from its 1.6-litre three-cylinder turbo (261 hp and 360 Nm in Europe). The power of the GRMN is identical, but the torque has been increased to 390 Nm. The ratios of the six-speed manual transmission have been shortened, the transmission was reinforced, and new limited-slip differentials were fitted in place of the original Torsen ones. The car still has four-wheel drive.
One pack for the circuit and one for the rally
Two optional configurations are offered for the GR Yaris GRMN. One is dubbed the Circuit Package and features exclusive BBS rims, resized brake rotors, adjustable shock absorbers, a raised CFRP roof spoiler and prominent side sills. The other, named Rally Package and installed after leaving the factory, offers a specific suspension and anti-roll bar, as well as underbody protections. Its ground clearance is identical to that of the standard GR. Toyota will offer owners two competition-inspired car enhancement programs. The first, called Update Program, is based on the installation of new parts and software updates predefined by Toyota on the basis of feedback from the competition. The second, called the Personalization Program, will offer customers sessions on different channels aimed at analyze their driving style to optimize the tailor-made car.
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500 Yaris GRMN only
The GRMN should only be produced in 500 copies. Of these, 50 will take on a matte dark gray body color named Matte Steel and associated with the Circuit Package. The prices of the GR Yaris GRMN vary according to the finish chosen and are between 7.317 and 8.467 million yen, or around €56,000 to €65,000. This edition is therefore €20,000 more expensive than a GR Yaris sold in France. Expecting higher demand than expected production, Toyota invites interested customers to register for a lottery that will designate the purchasers of the model. The first deliveries are planned for the summer of 2022.
