Compact hatch, big attitude: Toyota’s GR Yaris goes auto

Compact hatch, big attitude: Toyota’s GR Yaris goes auto

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‍Don’t just look at the compact Toyota GR Yaris and make false assumptions because it wears the ‘Yaris’ badge. It’s an entirely different approach to everything the Yaris typically represents.

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It truly has everything required to stand out in the hot hatch segment. Under the bonnet is a turbocharged 3-cylinder engine that punches well above its weight, paired with an all-wheel drive system that grips like nothing else in its class. Yet what really makes the GR Yaris shine is how adaptable it is. It can be a track-day toy, daily driver, or city runabout – it does it all.

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The current 6-speed manual gearbox should satisfy individuals who feel that driving should be about car and driver connections rather than a chore. It’s mechanical, raw, and involving, which is why it stormed through 2021’s Speed Week and, in the process, shamed some heavy hitters in the performance car realm.

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For the first time, the GR Yaris now boasts an 8-speed automatic transmission. While we understand that not everyone appreciates the feel of the manual gearbox, the self-shifting unit should broaden the scope of the GR Yaris’ appeal. Also, Toyota claims that the automatic transmission has been tuned for quick, precise gear changes, enabling the driver to stay more engaged and concentrated, especially during track driving.

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Compared to the manual version, the new model packs more punch: 210kW and 400Nm. That’s 18kW and 40Nm more, squeezed out of one of the most powerful 3-cylinder engines ever put into a production car. Like before, it still shoves the power to all four corners via the brand’s GR-Four all-wheel drive system.

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Besides that, Toyota has refined the cabin to bring it closer in line with the car’s rally roots. The seating position is lower and more focused, the controls have been revisited and repositioned for easier access, and the new instrument cluster lends it serious race-car vibes. It comes in five exterior shades: Glacier White, Platinum Pearl White, Midnight Grey, Lunar Black and Fierce Red.

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Now, let's address the big question. What’s the damage to your wallet? Well, Toyota is asking R925,300 for a new model with an auto box, and if you prefer manually changing the gears, you’ll pay R897,400. Either way, you won’t regret it.

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The new GR Yaris, now with an automatic transmission, is no longer simply the underdog but is also vying for the top spot in a segment that’s slowly fading away, further proving there’s still a place in the world for small hatches with big attitudes.

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