Skip advert
Advertisement

Toyota GR Yaris set to gain an automatic gearbox option

An automatic gearbox-equipped GR Yaris has competed in a Japanese rally challenge, and the transmission could be made available on the road car

Automatic Toyota GR Yaris
  • Eight-speed automatic could come to UK
  • GR Yaris has a motorsport-derived three-cylinder engine
  • GR Corolla in development

The Toyota GR Yaris hot hatchback could soon be offered with an automatic gearbox. Toyota has entered a prototype GR Yaris with an eight-speed automatic in its Gazoo Racing Racing Challenge, with the firm’s Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors, Shigeru Hayakawa, behind the wheel.

Advertisement - Article continues below

As the Japanese racing series is Toyota organised, it’s likely that the prototype is acting as a test car for a possible road-going version. Externally it looks largely the same as the manual car, apart from a modified front air intake that could feed the transmission’s oil-cooler. Inside, the changes amount to a Toyota automatic gearlever and paddle shifters behind the steering wheel.

Best hot hatchbacksThe 10 best hot hatchbacks to buy in 2024

It’s currently not known whether the GR Yaris automatic is destined for the UK market, but our right-hand-drive layout and the popularity of automatic hot hatches in this country look to be in its favour.

A Toyota GR Corolla is also in the works - Toyota dropped several interesting teasers recently - and this development car may shape the driving experience of the bigger Corolla. It’s not yet known whether the GR Corolla will be available with an automatic transmission, a manual gearbox, or both.

The GR Yaris was designed to be a production version of the company’s World Rally Championship (WRC) car, although it uses none of the same mechanical components and was effectively not required after the brand switched to the sport’s new plug-in hybrid regulations. It isn’t a like-for-like replacement for the Toyota Yaris GRMN special-edition, and is much faster than the Ford Fiesta ST and Volkswagen Polo GTI.

Advertisement - Article continues below
Skip advert
Advertisement
Skip advert
Advertisement - Article continues below

We expect many buyers to go for the Circuit Pack, which will add a range of upgrades to make the Yaris better on a racetrack, including a limited-slip differential, more advanced suspension and lightweight alloy wheels.

The GR Yaris is unique in the hot supermini class for its four-wheel-drive system, as all current rivals are front-wheel drive. A bespoke 1.6-litre three-cylinder petrol engine powers the GR Yaris, and its 257bhp makes it among the highest-powered production superminis ever. This power figure puts the GR Yaris a massive 60bhp clear of the Fiesta ST and Polo GTI, with both producing 197bhp. Zero-to-62mph takes under 5.5 seconds, and you can hit a limited top speed of 143mph.

Surprisingly few body panels are carried over to the GR Yaris, which has been redesigned as a three-door model to make it more rigid allowing Toyota to fit outlandish aerodynamic enhancements.

The body is made from a concoction of exotic materials; aluminium is used for the bonnet, doors and tailgate, while the roof is made from a carbon-fibre polymer. The roofline, meanwhile, is completely different to the standard car, sitting at 95mm lower to improve aerodynamics.

Under the bonnet, you’ll find that the engine has been mounted further back than in the regular Yaris, to improve weight distribution across the car’s axles. While the normal car has torsion-beam rear suspension (like many cars), the GR Yaris has a more expensive double-wishbone rear setup.

Read our guides to the fastest hot hatchbacks and best drivers’ cars on sale now.

Skip advert
Advertisement
Skip advert
Advertisement

Recommended

Hyundai Ioniq 5 N review - sensationally quick and engaging
Hyundai Ioniq 5 N front 3/4 dynamic
In-depth reviews
13 Dec 2024

Hyundai Ioniq 5 N review - sensationally quick and engaging

Toyota Yaris review - a frugal hybrid supermini
Toyota Yaris Carbuyer drive
In-depth reviews
11 Dec 2024

Toyota Yaris review - a frugal hybrid supermini

2025 Toyota Yaris announced with minor upgrades
2025 Toyota Yaris front quarter
News
29 Nov 2024

2025 Toyota Yaris announced with minor upgrades

The 10 best hot hatchbacks to buy in 2024
Best hot hatchbacks
Best cars
20 Nov 2024

The 10 best hot hatchbacks to buy in 2024

Most Popular

All-new Toyota Urban Cruiser revealed
Toyota Urban Cruiser
News
12 Dec 2024

All-new Toyota Urban Cruiser revealed

Best new car deals 2024: this week’s top car offers
Carbuyer best new car deals hero
Deals
13 Dec 2024

Best new car deals 2024: this week’s top car offers

New BYD Sealion 7 EV undercuts Tesla Model Y at £44,990
BYD Sealion 7 dynamic
News
12 Dec 2024

New BYD Sealion 7 EV undercuts Tesla Model Y at £44,990

Tips & advice

View All
Car dashboard warning lights: what does each symbol mean?
Car dashboard symbols and meanings
Tips and advice
21 Oct 2024

Car dashboard warning lights: what does each symbol mean?

Electric car charging stations: public networks, charger types, apps and maps
Charging station
Tips and advice
23 Jul 2024

Electric car charging stations: public networks, charger types, apps and maps

PCP vs HP – which type of car finance is right for you?
PCP vs HP
Tips and advice
17 May 2022

PCP vs HP – which type of car finance is right for you?

Average speed cameras: how do they work?
Average speed cameras: how do they work?
Tips and advice
21 Mar 2024

Average speed cameras: how do they work?

Best cars

View All
Top 10 best car interiors
Peugeot 208 hatchback
Best cars
25 Jun 2021

Top 10 best car interiors

Top 10 best electric cars 2024
Best electric cars
Best cars
16 May 2024

Top 10 best electric cars 2024

Top 10 best cheap-to-run cars 2024
The best cheap-to-run cars 2023
Best cars
2 Jan 2024

Top 10 best cheap-to-run cars 2024

The UK's top 10 fastest hot hatchbacks 2024
Fastest hot hatchbacks hero
Best cars
2 Jan 2024

The UK's top 10 fastest hot hatchbacks 2024