Toyota GR Yaris enhanced for 2024

Toyota GR Yaris enhanced for 2024

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In the world of hot hatches, the Toyota GR Yaris remains a model in our esteemed lineup at TopGear South Africa. Now it has new features and more power.‍

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Notably, it has not only secured its place as the finest creation from the Toyota stable that we have ever experienced at the time, but also clinched the coveted title as our 2021 Speed Week champion. 

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When it launched locally in 2021, it brought with it a rally-inspired construction, a user-adjustable GR-Four all-wheel-drive system, and a 198kW 3-cylinder turbo-petrol engine with performance that is reminiscent of the sports sedans and hatches of the olden days. 

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For the 2024 model year, Toyota is adding more zest to the performance hot hatch. Making its world debut at the 2024 Tokyo Auto Salon, the new GR Yaris has several new features, including a new 8-speed automatic transmission (GAZOO Racing Direct Automatic Transmission) and increased body rigidity for better chassis and steering response. 

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The biggest adjustment under the bonnet is the addition of more kilowatts. Power still comes from the same 1.6-litre 3-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine that now delivers 206kW and 390Nm of torque, up from the outgoing model’s 198kW and 360Nm. Speaking of being lucky, the Japanese models' powerplants have been tuned to produce 224kW and 400Nm and a word on the street states that the variants are only for that market.

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Looking at the power figures, they place the 2024 GR Yaris in the same territory as the Hyundai i30 N and Subaru WRX, as well as the same field that was once occupied by the formidable Golf 7 R from Volkswagen. 

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For the first time in the GR Yaris, the new performance hatch will be available with an 8-speed automatic transmission. Purists rejoice; the 6-speed manual transmission lives to see another day. 

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When it comes to cosmetic tweaks, the GR Yaris’ elements have been revised to achieve optimum downforce, aerodynamics, and grip. In this case, only the rear light clusters, antenna, and door mirrors have been carried over from the standard Yaris variant. 

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The front features a new steel mesh for the lower section of the grille; the side grille has a larger opening, while the lower bumper comes with a new split construction, which Toyota claims is less costly to repair or replace. 

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Moving to the rear, there is an opening in the bottom edge of the lower garnish for better airflow, while the fog and reversing lights have been relocated from the lower bumper to be integrated into the rear combination lights. The high-mounted stop light has also been moved to the lower section of the back door. 

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The new GR Yaris is available in Emotional Red, Precious Black, and Super White/Platinum White Pearlescent, including the Precious Metal shade. The GR Yaris rides on a set of 225/40 R18 Michelin Pilot Sport 4S tyres. 

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The interior has also seen a significant redesign to give the driver’s cockpit a sporty feel, courtesy of VSC-Off and hazard lights that have been moved closer to the driver, while the tray in the instrument panel on the passenger side has been enlarged to accommodate, among other things, a co-driver monitor. For better positioning behind the wheel, the driver’s seat has been lowered by 25mm, and the steering wheel has been adjusted accordingly.

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There is a new 12.3-inch fully digital combimeter with two layout modes: normal and sport. Other features include the latest-generation Toyota Safety Sense systems, navigation, a digital key, and a premium JBL sound system for the auto versions. 

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Should you want something more special, Toyota will produce special editions of the GR Yaris named after two of its World Rally Championship star drivers, the Sébastien Ogier Special Edition and Kalle Rovanperä Special Edition, which are both based on concept models shown at the 2023 Tokyo Salon. 

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The duo is expected to be officially unveiled at the Rallye Monte-Carlo, the opening round of this year’s FIA WRC, which takes place from January 25–28.

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The new Toyota GR Yaris remains a hot hatch of note, and looking at the upgrades, one thing stands out: the Japanese marque looks to have once again done an outstanding job, and once again, it has given us something to look forward to this year. 

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The new GR Yaris is slated to go on sale in Europe in the coming months, and it’s mostly likely to make its way to Mzansi before the end of the year if things go according to plan.