After the exuberant GR Yaris, Toyota will offer another “sporty” Yaris, badged GR Sport this time. Only available in hybrid, this variant will put its presentation before its performance, although it will also have specific chassis settings.
With its all-wheel drive, three-doors and 261 hp, the GR Yaris is one of the most endearing cars on the market. Yes but here it is: quite expensive, impractical and weighed down by the ecological penalty in France, this bomb is clearly not intended for everyone. In the second quarter of 2022, the brand will therefore add a second “sporty” version to its range, under the GR Sport label. Already used on the Corolla or C-HR, while waiting to arrive on the recent small SUV Yaris Cross, this name is the equivalent of the Audi S Line, BMW M Sport and other Renault RS Line.
TO READ. Toyota Yaris GR: Track or Premium Pack, which one to choose? The game !
Refined chassis and aerodynamics
Here, there is therefore no question of a particularly muscular engine. In France, we will only find the very wise three-cylinder 1.5 hybrid 116 hp, which represents the vast majority of sales of this city car. Technically, the modifications are therefore limited to the chassis. To offer more dynamism, Toyota engineers reworked the front and rear suspensions, as well as the steering assistance. Reinforcements have also been added under the floor to gain rigidity. Attention to detail even goes so far as to add additional coatings to the interior of the wheel arches to reduce aerodynamic drag.
Sportier presentation, especially on board
But the main motivation for this kind of finish is first of all the presentation. The Yaris GR Sport therefore offers 18-inch rims with touches of red, a revised radiator grille adorned with “G” -shaped patterns or even a racing-style rear diffuser. A new color, called chrome gray, will also only be available on this finish. On the other hand, it keeps its five-door well. We are thus far from the GR Yaris three-door deflated at 120 hp that the brand offers in Japan!
Finally, it is rather in the interior that we find the most glaring differences. In particular thanks to the beautiful, very enveloping heated front seats, bucket type, in leather and fabric. Their red and black coating echoes the red stitching on the gear lever and steering wheel, as well as the GR Sport logo present in various places. As for the crankset, it converts to aluminum. This version therefore spares no effort to stand out on board. Its standard equipment also promises to be quite complete. It did not need less to justify a price which should place it towards the top of the range, very close to the Style finish invoiced at € 27,200, excluding promotions.
