The Toyota GR Yaris was brought one step closer to the U.S. literally, but not actually this week as pre-orders for the hot hatch opened and closed in Mexico. All 300 made available in the market were gone in just 24 hours.
Priced at 699,900 pesos ($35,131 USD), a preorder could be placed for 20,000 pesos ($1,003 USD), according to Motor Pasion Mexico.
The Yaris, we hardly need to remind you, is a rally-inspired AWD hot hatch based on the diminutive Yaris. Churning out 257 hp from its 1.6-liter inline-four, the car proved a delight to critics far and wide, though we’ve long known it wouldn’t come to the U.S. or Canada.
For America’s southern neighbor, though, it’s a different story.
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“Mexico joins Japan, Australia, Argentina, and Spain as some of the countries that will be able to enjoy that sense of excitement that the Japanese describe as Waku Doki, because next summer it can have the exclusive GR Yaris on its streets. It is a limited edition worthy of collectors and adrenaline lovers,” said Guillermo Díaz, VP of operations at Toyota Motor Sales of Mexico, in a statement.
The car officially went on sale on April 15 and if you’re in Mexico and are just hearing about this now, we apologize, because by April 16 they were all gone. But there’s good news! Well, okay news. You can still sign up to be put on a waiting list and if any of the people booked their new car back out, Toyota might contact you about taking their booking.
We can’t help but wonder if some will be squirreled away for 25 years and sold to Americans, or if that’s even a worthwhile endeavor. Will Americans be able to import a gas-powered hot hatch in 2045?