TRACK-TESTED, RALLY-BRED: TOYOTA’S EVOLVED GR YARIS GETS WRC MUSCLE AND AERO WIZARDRY STRAIGHT FROM THE FRONTLINES
Straight from the proving grounds of Japanese rally stages and the blood, sweat, and gravel of the Super Taikyu Series comes the newest evolution of one of the most cult-worthy hatchbacks on the planet - the Toyota GR Yaris. TOYOTA GAZOO Racing (TGR) has officially opened the order books in Japan for the latest iteration of its rally weapon-for-the-road, and things have gotten properly wild. Developed with relentless feedback from professional drivers and motorsport programs, this latest GR Yaris is more than just an update - it’s an engineering flex wrapped in a three-door shell. And for the truly hardcore? Toyota has revealed a new Aero Performance Package coming later in 2025, crafted with the same level of obsession normally reserved for homologation specials and racecars built in sheds with carbon fibre dreams. At its heart remains the firecracker of a powerplant that’s defined the GR Yaris since day one - but now it’s paired with a sharpened GAZOO Racing Direct Automatic Transmission that’s been refined for an even snappier paddle response and smarter shift logic. Think redline-hugging precision and perfectly delayed upshifts to keep the car in its power sweet spot, especially when tearing up mountain passes or threading corners on a track day. The suspension setup has also been massaged - retorqued bolts, recalibrated damping, and input from factory racing legend Kazuya Oshima have resulted in steering that’s more linear and intuitive than ever. Whether you opt for the RZ trim or the RZ “High performance” model, the car now responds like an extension of your own nervous system. No lag. No delay. Just instant feedback and deliciously sharp front-end bite. Even the once-rally-only vertical parking brake is now available across all trim levels. Yes, that means Scandinavian flicks at your local autocross are now 100% OEM-approved.
Enter the Aero Performance Package – straight from the War Room. Set to launch in autumn 2025, this factory-fitted aero suite isn't just for show. Developed through direct competition in Japan’s most gruelling series, it features:
A ducted aluminium hood borrowed from the GRMN Yaris, improving engine bay ventilation during high-load sessions.
A proper front lip spoiler, added after feedback from pro driver Oshima revealed the car needed just that little extra front-end stick at speed.
Fender ducts that stabilise steering input during aggressive turn-ins and reduce front-end lift.
A flat fuel tank undercover, pinched straight from the Super Taikyu Series car’s safety fuel tank setup, optimising underbody flow.
A manually adjustable rear wing for real aero-tuning. Need max downforce at Fuji Speedway? You got it. Dial it back for the twisty bits? No problem.
Rear bumper ducts, developed after race bumpers were literally ripped off under aero load. They’re designed to prevent the “parachute effect” at speed and keep the drag coefficient in check.
This isn’t your average “add-on pack.” It’s the result of race failures, driver critiques, and Toyota’s unwavering obsession with making “ever-better cars” - especially ones that punch way above their weight. The GR Yaris has always been the automotive equivalent of a Molotov cocktail hurled at convention. With this update, Toyota’s made it even more visceral, more capable, and more unhinged. We freaking LOVE it! Now if only we could convince Lotto to sponsor us…
Take a look at the YouTube video from Nik that shows us all the revisions to the instant cult-classic, Toyota's beastly GR Yaris. Just when you thought this car couldn't get any better - here it is: 2026 Toyota GR Yaris Launched in Japan - Full Interior Exterior - Aero Performance Package | NIK'S AUTOMOTIVE
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