The ultimate GR Yaris

Toyota’s hot hatch goes wild with limited-edition GRMN Circuit and Rally models

We’re big fans of the Toyota GR Yaris: after all, it was the overall winner of the 2021 AA DRIVEN New Zealand Car of the Year.

But now the Japanese brand has made its hot hatch even wilder. The GRMN (Gazoo Racing Masters of Nurburgring) Yaris will be limited to just 500 units, and is going to be sold via an online “lottery” system, in Japan only.

It has the same 200kW peak power output as the standard GR Yaris, but gets a 20Nm torque bump to 390Nm and closer-ratio six-speed manual gearbox.

According to Toyota, the GRMN was developed by the brand’s president Akio Toyoda in the Super Taikyu Series, with feedback from other professional drivers.

It has dropped 20kg and sits 10mm closer to the ground. It’s also 10mm wider, when fitted with the Circuit Package that adds 18-inch BBS wheels. If the Rally Package is selected, it gets a suspension upgrade, a rollbar, and underbody protection.

The GRMN has lost its rear seat and gets a strut brace in its place. It also gets a large carbon fibre wing at the rear to increase downforce.

On the inside, the GRMN comes standard with a set of Recaro racing seats, but that’s the only real change over the standard car.

Buyers can opt for a personalisation package, which seems to be tailored to racing teams, which allows modification of the car’s suspension, aerodynamics, steering, engine controls and the drivetrain’s torque distribution settings.

The price of the GRMN Yaris is around 90 per cent more than the standard car in Japan, equating to NZ$105,000.