Toyota used the 2024 Tokyo Auto Salon which kicked off in the present day within the Japanese capital to debut an up to date model of its GR Yaris scorching hatchback.
Impressed by the Yaris that competes within the World Rally Championship, the brand new 2024 GR Yaris represents the most recent evolution of Toyota’s high-performance Yaris subcompacts that return to the Yaris GRMN launched final decade.
Whereas the U.S. will get the GR Corolla, the smaller GR Yaris is unlikely to achieve these shores given the demise of the Yaris nameplate right here after 2020.
The most recent evolution to the pocket rocket brings extra energy, plus an computerized transmission as a substitute for the usual 6-speed handbook. The auto is not any atypical slushbox however a fast- and intuitive-shifting design developed in rally competitors by Toyota’s Gazoo Racing motorsports division.
Often known as the Direct Automated Transmission, the 8-speed auto is designed to shift quicker through the use of software program to foretell driving conduct. Whereas such expertise is not new, Toyota’s software program appears past the usual metrics similar to deceleration g-forces and pace, and integrates acceleration and braking into its logic. By doing so, it is ready to anticipate when a shift is important earlier than a change in driving conduct really takes place.
In response to Toyota, the GR Yaris with the brand new auto is ready to ship quicker monitor instances than the automobile with the handbook.
Different modifications had been required to ship a good degree of driveability in addition to counter computerized transmissions’ vulnerability to warmth harm. Key measures included the usage of new supplies, nearer ratios (therefore the choice to go together with eight gears), and a brand new torque management system.
2024 Toyota GR Yaris
The motive force can management the efficiency of the transmission utilizing the automobile’s drive mode selector, and there is a handbook mode that lefts the motive force select when to vary gears. In response to Toyota, protecting the engine within the 4,900 to the 7,200 rpm vary is right for efficiency.
The engine is a turbocharged 1.6-liter inline-3 rated at 276 hp, up from the 268 of the present GR Yaris launched in 2020. Drive is to all 4 wheels as normal, by way of a GR-4 all-wheel-drive system that is in a position to modify the stability of drive torque between the entrance and rear wheels based mostly on the mode the automobile is in. Torsen limited-slip differentials additionally characteristic entrance and rear.
Additional enhancements to the GR Yaris method had been made by way of further reinforcements to the automobile’s light-weight physique, particularly via further spot welds and structural adhesive. The chassis is a bespoke design that mixes the GA-B platform of the usual Yaris up entrance with the rear finish of the bigger GA-C platform of the Corolla and different Toyota compacts. The suspension, which consists of MacPherson struts and rear double wishbones with trailing arms, has additionally been barely revised with new springs and additional bolts for the entrance dampers.
2024 Toyota GR Yaris
A significant revamp of the inside has additionally taken place. Taking suggestions from Gazoo Racing drivers, Toyota designers made key modifications all through. Among the modifications included shifting key controls for efficiency driving nearer to the attain of the motive force when strapped in with a harness, such because the controls for the intercooler spray, stability management, and hazard warning lights. The motive force’s visual field has additionally been improved by dropping the peak of the instrument panel, altering the place of the rear-view mirror, and angling the middle stack 15 levels additional towards the motive force. The steering wheel and entrance seats have additionally been lowered.
Gross sales of the 2024 GR Yaris begin in choose markets this summer season. Toyota can even provide a pair of special-edition variations honoring its profitable WRC drivers, Sébastien Ogier and Kalle Rovanperä, which the automaker will reveal on the Monte Carlo Rally later this month.