The gift of adventure

is not some super-rare limited edition that’s already sold out – Toyota intends to build many thousands of them.

And second, it costs £33,495 and that includes the Circuit Pack. Or if you prefer, £299 per month over three years with a 25% deposit.

But back to the car. To the right of the gear lever you’ll see a rotary control for the different driving modes. In Normal (default mode) the torque is split 60/40 front to rear, twist it to the left and you get Sport and a 30/70 split, and then turn to the right for Track and a 50/50 torque split.

Whichever mode you’ve selected, the GR has enormous amounts of grip and traction and we tested it on a pretty wet day with lots of leaves on the road.

Unlike the Mini JCW GP we tested a few weeks ago, the Yaris GR doesn’t have suspension that’s as stiff as Lewis Hamilton’s Merc.

The little Toyota soaks up most ridges and ruts without jarring itself or its occupants. Not surprising for a rolling resistance in its category and that it can save 0.21 litres of fuel per 100km – about £70 over the life of the tyre. As we move to an electric future, a tyre’s efficiency is going to become even more important – as will how quiet it is, without the noise of an internal combustion engine to mask any tyre roar. car that has its roots in rallying and was developed by rally drivers Timo Makinen and Kris Meeke.

A very good friend of mine ordered a Yaris GR without having seen it. Mate, you’ve made a brilliant choice. When can I borrow it?