It’s not fairly often {that a} small automobile sends petrolheads buzzing, however that’s precisely what the Toyota GR Yaris has finished.
Since its unveiling final yr, the GR Yaris has generated the kind of hype that few different scorching hatches in current reminiscence have, with the potential exception of the third-generation Ford Focus RS in 2015. It brings with it severe motorsport credentials and is a correct homologation particular for the road. We not too long ago had the chance to try it out over the course of per week.
Watch Additionally: Can A Stock GR Yaris Beat A GT-R Nismo On A Short Track On A Very Rainy Day?
There are two variants of the GR Yaris out there in Australia, the usual mannequin and the Rallye. Toyota Australia determined to launch the automobile domestically in its entry-level type first, which means you don’t get the Torsen limited-slip differentials, track-tuned suspension, 18-inch cast BBS wheels, and Michelin Pilot Sport 4S tires that come as commonplace on the Rallye (also called the Circuit Pack in sure markets). Because the GR Yaris Rallye isn’t but out there for assessment Down Below, it’s the entry-level mannequin that we examined.
Each the bottom GR Yaris and the Rallye are powered by a 1.6-liter turbocharged three-cylinder. Australian-delivered vehicles land in the identical specification as these in Japan, which means this engine is rated at 200 kW (268 hp) at 6,500 rpm and 370 Nm (273 lb-ft) of torque between 3,000 and 4,600 rpm, barely greater than the 192 kW (257 HP) and 266 lb-ft (360 Nm) tune that’s out there in different markets akin to Europe. Mated to the engine is a six-speed handbook transmission transmitting energy by an all-wheel drive system and Dunlop SP Sport Maxx tires. Extra on these tires later…
The automobile is small. Certainly, it measures simply 3,995 mm lengthy, 1,805 mm extensive, and 1,455 mm tall with a wheelbase of two,560 mm. On first impressions, the wheelbase could seem minuscule however it is just 10 mm shorter than a Hyundai i30 N. The neat factor that Toyota’s designers and engineers have finished is push the wheels proper to the sting of the automobile, leading to small entrance and rear overhangs.
Spectacular efficiency, nice gearbox
Most three-cylinder engines available on the market are about as boring to make use of as watching paint dry. Not the case with the GR Yaris.
Not solely is the compact 1.6-liter turbocharged three-cylinder almost as highly effective because the four-pots driving most different scorching hatches, nevertheless it has a personality to it that few rivals can match. It produces a surprisingly meaty sound all through the rev vary and though a few of this sound is pumped into the cabin, it instantly places a smile in your face. It’s the identical story with the exhaust observe. But it surely’s not the sound that’s the very best factor about this engine; relatively, it’s its willingness to rev.
Toyota says peak energy is available in at 6,500 rpm however you’ll be able to proceed to rev the GR Yaris by to 7,000 rpm and it completely loves it. The engine can be fairly fuel-efficient as we averaged 11.2 l/100 km (21 U.S. mpg) over the course of the week, not unhealthy contemplating how we have been driving. A comparable four-cylinder scorching hatch pushed in the identical method would common between 13 l/100 km (18 U.S. mpg) and 14 l/100 (16.8 U.S. mpg).
Then we come to the gearbox. Not solely has the shifter been positioned completely however the engagement of the gears is among the many greatest within the section, behind solely the Honda Civic Kind R. The gearing can be fairly quick, permitting you to get pleasure from shifting by the gears and revving out the engine on the similar time. Off the road, Toyota says the automobile wants 5.2 seconds to hit 100 km/h (62 mph) nevertheless it feels sooner than that as second gear tops out simply earlier than that mark, forcing you to shift into third to cross previous 100 clicks.
A automobile that thrives when pushed
A lot has been mentioned in regards to the automobile’s all-wheel drive system, significantly since many of the GR’s rivals are front-wheel drive. The all-wheel drive system doesn’t simply profit acceleration nevertheless it ends in phenomenal ranges of grip. Three driving modes can be found for the automobile; Regular with a 60:40 front-rear energy cut up, Monitor with a 50:50 energy cut up, and Sport with a 30:70 front-rear energy cut up.
I spent many of the week driving in Sport mode and whereas it doesn’t make the GR Yaris really feel like it’s rear-driven, you’ll be able to really feel the rear start to rotate by each sustained cornering and sharper, extra abrupt bends. It’s exceptionally straightforward to drive the rally-bred hatch on the limits of grip and even for those who transcend them, it’s straightforward to make the precise corrections.
Steering is ace. Braking is ace. The driving expertise as an entire is ace. Nonetheless, not the whole lot is ideal with the entry-level mannequin.
Throughout my first drive with the GR Yaris by a mountain move with lengthy, sweeping corners, I used to be very impressed with the grip offered by the Dunlop tires. Nonetheless, because the week progressed and I started testing the automobile by tighter turns, the boundaries of those tires and the shortage of LSDs develop into obvious.
When you flip shortly into a pointy bend, the tires screech in agony and you may push the automobile into understeer simpler than with the likes of the i30 N and Civic Kind R. Equally, for those who apply an excessive amount of throttle by a flip, the shortage of limited-slip diffs can ship you extensive. It is a automobile that calls for clean and exact driving. A set of stickier tires would work wonders and we’re going to endeavor to check out the GR Yaris Rallye quickly to see how a lot distinction the LSDs and Michelin rubber make.
Then there’s the seats…
Nonetheless, it wasn’t the tires or the open differentials that have been my greatest gripe with the automobile. It was the seating place. Numerous efficiency vehicles have their seat rails bolted to the ground however for some motive Toyota has mounted the seats of the GR Yaris on metal towers that sit greater than three inches above the ground. This most likely gained’t be a priority for a lot of consumers however for these over 6-foot, it ends in a cramped and excessive driving place. It’s even worse for those who’re ferrying round a tall passenger because the passenger seat can’t be lowered. The seats are mounted so excessive that the brackets truly sit above the road of the facet sills.
Aside from the positioning of the seats, the remainder of the automobile’s cabin is good and on par with rivals. The straightforward gauge cluster is a key spotlight as is the very good steering wheel. The seats are additionally very supportive and stop you from sliding side-to-side throughout spirited driving. There’s additionally a JBL eight-speaker stereo system (though it’s not excellent) and a 7.0-inch infotainment system providing assist for Android Auto and Apple CarPlay.
As commonplace, all base GR Yaris fashions in Australia embrace a head-up show, adaptive cruise management, lane-tracing help, highway signal help, and autonomous emergency braking with biking detection, options solely out there on the ‘Comfort Pack’ provided in different markets.
Worthy of the hype?
The primary 1,000 examples of the GR Yaris have been bought in Australia for AU$39,950 (US$30,981), and whereas Toyota thought it may take as much as 18 months to promote them, it solely took 5 days. Small marvel as, tt that value, it was an absolute cut price. Since then, the worth has been jacked as much as AU$49,950 (US$38,736) for on-road prices, bringing the full determine nearer to AU$53,500 (US$41,489), or about AU$5,000 (US$3,877) lower than the 2021 Honda Civic Kind R. The flagship GR Yaris Rallye will set again Aussies AU$54,500 (US$42,265) earlier than on-road prices.
There isn’t any doubt the Toyota GR Yaris is an outstanding scorching hatch. It’s a pleasure to drive, no matter whether or not you might be puttering round city or carving your manner by a canyon highway. The world is a greater place with this potent little rally automobile in it however to totally perceive how good it’s, we have to check out the Rallye model. Keep tuned.
