September car of the month: Toyota GR Yaris

by Baron Wilton

posted on September 27, 2024

Hold onto your hat(ch)

The Toyota Yaris has made a name for itself across the globe as a practical, no-frills hatch that’s perfect for short commutes and tight parallel parking. But the GR badge introduces a nearly unrecognizable Yaris. The GR Yaris was first bred for rally racing competitions, and later transformed into a road car available outside the United States and Canada. This special Yaris boasts insane performance and proudly packs the world’s most powerful production three-cylinder engine into its ultra compact proportions. Let’s head to Melbourne for Wafi’s 2022 Toyota GR Yaris Rallye, our September car of the month.

2022 Toyota GR Yaris Rallye

The GR Yaris joins the ranks of the Ford Fiesta ST, Mitsubishi Lancer Evo X, and Subaru WRX STI as one of the few hot hatches that are destined for rally racing and still make their way onto public roads, albeit slightly modified. The Yaris is the newest member of the GR family, which includes the Corolla, Supra, and 86 models that are trademarks of any Cars & Coffee meetup across the United States. While the GR Yaris won’t yet be seen cutting Los Angeles’s winding canyons or cruising Miami’s beachfront esplanades, its larger and more recognizable siblings remain popular with the US market.

The GR Yaris is a life-size Hot Wheels car, with a 4WD powertrain and six-speed manual transmission outputting extraordinary driving appeal. The 4WD system sends power to all four wheels at a ratio that can be adjusted based on three driving modes — Normal, Sport, and Track. The 1.6L in-line three-cylinder engine is turbocharged, and the suspension is optimized for a smooth ride at a low center of gravity. Plus, Wafi’s Rallye trim adds a limited slip differential that automatically sends optimal power to tires with the most traction, ensuring maximum grip on twisting asphalt.

If you’re looking to book a GR Yaris in Australia and don’t want three pedals to contend with, the gently redesigned 2024 model introduces an eight-speed automatic transmission that’s been pressure-tested by both professional racers and pedestrian engineers. This transmission was specifically designed for the GR Yaris and can even predict driver intent to change gears before the common indicators appear.

From wheels to roof, the GR Yaris is built different. It may borrow some physical components from the traditional Yaris, but this Gazoo Racing hatch is substantially longer, wider, and lower with aerodynamic design elements. Wafi’s Rallye Yaris sports red brake calipers and forged alloy wheels that ride on Michelin Pilot Sport tyres. And every GR Yaris can be recognized for its carbon-fiber polymer roof, massive grille, and aluminum frame.

This tricked-out Yaris was built for pure driving enjoyment. If you don’t believe it, “Developed for FIA World Rally Championship” is emblazoned onto the driver-focused cockpit. Sport-tuned seats with supportive cushioning and Ultrasuede fabric establish a comfortable throne for the driver, and a stats-heavy dashboard puts the driving controls front and center. The interior is also accented with red stitching, aluminum pedals, and GR badges. The seats are heated for those brisk Melbourne spring mornings, and the climate is controlled by physical buttons for immediate, undistracted access.

While the GR Yaris still has two tiny rear seats, all passengers will enjoy the booming JBL sound system with crisp quality thanks to body panels that dynamically soften road noise. Toyota also kept all of its advanced safety features of the base Yaris, including automatic cruise control, lane keep assist, and a pre-collision detection system.

The GR Yaris is a record-setting machine that has the rare privilege of being a favorite both on the track and on public roads. One of the hottest hatches in the car scene, this beast is destined to make your journey more memorable and exhilarating. Wafi’s Rallye trim is ready to be your companion on your next adventure through Melbourne and the greater Victoria coastline.

*Daily price is subject to change

Baron Wilton

Baron is a walking encyclopedia of car facts. His favorite sport is behind the wheel of his Jaguar F-Type, which he drives more in the canyons of SoCal than on the streets.

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