New Toyota GR Yaris Hits the Market for $10,000: Hot Hatch Gets AWD and Racing Technology

The new Toyota GR Yaris is the first car from the Japanese automaker developed using technology from WRC rally cars. As a result, everything about the model is designed to deliver maximum driving enjoyment at high speeds.

The car is offered in four versions, with prices starting at 2,650,000 yen, equivalent to about $17,000. The base version uses a 1.5-liter engine producing 120 horsepower, paired with a CVT featuring 10 simulated gears.

Starting with the next version, the GR Yaris gets a 1.6-liter turbocharged engine producing up to 272 hp and 390 Nm of torque. The engine's specifications vary depending on the market where the Japanese model is sold. The powertrain incorporates racing components and hardware. In the top version, the engine gets an intercooler with a coolant-spray system, which is critical when the car is used on a track.

The 1.6-liter engine comes standard with a six-speed manual transmission featuring intelligent control and an automatic rev-matching function. An eight-speed automatic developed on the racetrack is also available.

The new Japanese model is 3,995 mm long, 1,805 mm wide, and 1,455 mm tall, with a 2,560-mm wheelbase. During development of the new GR Yaris, engineers placed a strong emphasis on rigidity and low weight, so the hatchback's roof is made of carbon fiber, while aluminum panels are used extensively in the vehicle's construction. As a result, the new model's curb weight is just over 2,900 pounds.

The interior gets a new, smaller sport steering wheel developed with the involvement of professional drivers. Its buttons are positioned to prevent accidental presses.

The hatchback comes with all-wheel drive and several automatic modes, each of which uses the electronics to distribute torque differently. In particular, when the vehicle is configured for track racing, up to 70% of the torque is sent to the rear wheels. The top version gets Torsen differentials, which improve handling through corners.

The suspension was redesigned to improve handling and control at high speeds. The base version comes with powerful brakes, while the top version gets red brake calipers. The GR Yaris also gets new tires.