- The new hatchback could be developed to compete in the Rally 4 class.
- A Japanese report claims the GR version will rock a 1.3-liter turbocharged three-cylinder.
- The car’s tiny size might help it weigh less than 2,200 lbs (1,000 kg).
Toyota’s Gazoo Racing division shows no signs of slowing down. Fresh off the heels of the GR Supra, GR 86, GR Yaris, and GR Corolla, a new report from Japan suggests another new model might be in the works: a reborn Toyota Starlet hatchback.
The Japanese carmaker is looking to revive the Toyota Starlet hatchback with a punchy new model from Gazoo. Toyota is thought to have been working on a new Starlet for quite some, underpinned by the Daihatsu New Global Architecture (DNGA). However, a recent crash safety scandal has delayed its launch until 2026.
Read: 2025 Toyota GR Yaris Heats Up, GRMN Returns With Akio Toyoda Testing Flagship
According to Japan’s Best Car, the reborn Starlet will be a rally-focused machine, aiming to compete in the Rally 4 class alongside rivals like the Renault Clio, Peugeot 208, and Ford Fiesta. This competition-prepped GR version is expected to be slightly larger than the standard Starlet, boasting an extra 6.7 inches (170 mm) in length.
Flared wheel arches, a wider track, and aggressive front and rear bumpers – reminiscent of the GR Yaris and GR Corolla – should further distinguish the hot hatch from its more mundane counterpart.
While practicality might take a backseat due to the subcompact size, the GR Starlet promises to be a featherweight. In fact, Japanese sources claim it could tip the scales at a mere 2,160 lbs (980 kg), a staggering 727 lbs (300 kg) lighter than the GR Yaris.
Like the GR Yaris and GR Corolla, Gazoo’s potent version of the Starlet will use a turbocharged three-cylinder. This engine should be based on the existing 1.6-liter mill but could be downsized to 1.3-liters. It may also be capped at around 150 hp, roughly half that of the Yaris and Corolla. Toyota may offer it with both a six-speed manual transmission and an eight-speed automatic.
A key difference between the Toyota GR Starlet and the brand’s other hot hatches is that it won’t have a trick all-wheel drive system. Instead, power will be sent exclusively through the front wheels.
In Japan, the new model could be priced between 2.5 million yen (~$16,000) and 2.8 million yen (~$18,000). While it’ll likely be sold in select markets, the U.S. almost certainly won’t be one of them.
