We knew that an updated Toyota GR Yaris was just around the corner and the hot hatch has just premiered at the Tokyo Auto Salon, bringing with it a newly available automatic transmission and a host of exterior and interior changes that we weren’t necessarily expecting.
The big news is, of course, the transmission. Much like Hyundai did with the i30 N, the GR Yaris was initially launched exclusively with a six-speed manual transmission and an optional eight-speed automatic has now been added to the range. This will no doubt broaden the appeal of the car and will likely help to boost sales too. Unlike Hyundai, Toyota has not opted for a dual-clutch system, instead developing a new single-clutch unit that it dubs the Direct Automatic Transmission.
Examples ordered with the automatic come equipped with a dedicated cooler and a pair of plastic paddle shifters are mounted behind the steering wheel. While the automatic ‘box adds 40 lbs (18 kg) to the GR Yaris, it should help to make it even more rapid off the line. Whether or not it’ll be as fun to drive as the six-speed manual is a question that we won’t be able to answer until we drive it.
Toyota has revealed that a series of modifications have also been made to the 1.6-liter turbocharged three-cylinder of the GR Yaris. The carmaker has increased the direct injection pressure, installed a new intake air pressure sensor, fitted new lightweight pistons, and added a different intake air pressure sensor. Japanese models now produce 224 kW (300 hp) at 6,500 rpm and 400 Nm (296 lb-ft) of torque between 3,250 and 4,600 rpm, significant gains over the 200 kW (268 hp) and 370 Nm (273 lb-ft) of the original.
Read: 2024 Toyota GR Yaris WRC Special Edition Limited To 300 Units With Undisclosed Upgrades
Toyota’s designers have also had a bit of fun tweaking the design of the GR Yaris. The changes start at the front end where there is a new bumper with distinctive air intakes while found at the rear are different LED taillights that incorporate a light bar, like pretty much every other new car out there.
We hardly think the GR Yaris needed much of an interior refresh but Toyota has given it one anyway. The most obvious change is a new driver-focused dashboard panel housing the same 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster as the GR Corolla. The infotainment display has also been repositioned and tilted 15 degrees towards the driver. Toyota says this design has been inspired by its rally and as such, the hazard light and start/stop switch have been moved so they can be reached while you’re wearing a seat harness. The driver’s seat also sits 25 mm (1 inch) lower than before.
New GR Yaris technical specs
