The Toyota GR Yaris is coming to Australia in November and the first 1000 vehicles will carry a driveaway price of $39,950.
There will only be one variant of the GR Yaris available in Australia with Toyota Australia saying our version will come with all the fruit. The 200kW GR Yaris will go head to head with the likes of the Ford Fiesta ST, Focus ST, i30 N and so on, although Toyota reckons the thing will compete with Honda Civic Type R and Renault Megane RS.
Pre-sales for the GR Yaris will begin next Wednesday at noon (23 September) and there will be a special edition GR Yaris Rallye arriving next year.
Making the announcement, Toyota Australia’s Vice President Sales and Marketing Sean Hanley said, “This substantial local financial commitment for the first 1,000 vehicles will advance our budding GR brand, accelerate the acceptance of GR Yaris on Australian roads and convert enthusiast customers into brand advocates”.
The GR Yaris runs a 1.6-litre three-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine boasting 200kW and 370Nm of torque getting its power to the ground via a six-speed manual and all-wheel drive.
Mr Hanley said next year’s GR Yaris Rallye promises an even richer experience for enthusiasts who want to take their cars to the track.
Its performance upgrades include circuit-tuned suspension, Torsen limited-slip differentials on the front and rear axles, 18-inch BBS forged alloy wheels with Michelin Pilot Sport 4S tyres and red brake callipers.
The GR Yaris Rallye will be limited to approximately 250 examples with pricing to be announced closer to its introduction.
The GR Yaris isn’t just a sticker pack…as if the 200kW engine didn’t already give it away. It rides on a different platform to the regular Yaris, a cut and shut job with the front half of its platform from the Yaris (GA-B) and the back half from a Corolla (GA-C). The GR Yaris is only available as a three-door and in white, red or black with a carbon-fibre polymer roof to help reduce weight and lower the centre of gravity. The bonnet, doors and tailgate are aluminium.
Standard equipment includes a comprehensive Toyota Safety Sense package, auto air-conditioning, keyless smart entry and start, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and 8-speaker JBL sound system. GR Yaris is also fitted with a rear spoiler, sports seats with suede and leather accents, aluminium pedals and dual exhaust tips.
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