Toyota will reveal a “fully tuned” version of its GR Yaris at this year’s Tokyo Auto Salon.
It’s released a single shadowy teaser of the hotter hatch ahead of the event, which takes place January 14-16, 2022.
The hotter GR Yaris will also be revealed alongside the GR GT3 concept, a “racing-dedicated concept car that incorporates the knowledge and refined technologies [Toyota Gazoo Racing] has gained in the field of motorsports”.
While Toyota has already followed up the GR Yaris with a Rallye variant packing more performance hardware, a further enhanced version has been spied testing.
The “fully tuned” GR Yaris could wear the GRMN badge.
The prototype spied at the Nürburgring featured canards at the front corners and large vents behind the front wheel arches, plus gloss black trim on the section of the side sills that flow into the rear fenders.
A larger rear spoiler was also visible, though a bonnet scoop wasn’t. This item appears on the teased vehicle.
Pictured: Hotter GR Yaris prototype
We expect more power and torque from the enhanced GR Yaris compared with the standard car, which produces 200kW and 370Nm from a turbocharged 1.6-litre three-cylinder engine.
All GR Yaris models are all-wheel drive and are equipped with a six-speed manual transmission.
Toyota could also add to the GR Yaris’ dynamic abilities by subtracting, such as stripping out the rear seats, removing insulation or deleting creature comforts to reduce weight.
A report from Japanese outlet Car Sensor late last year said the hotter GR Yaris could use a 220kW tune of the turbo three-pot that will reportedly be shared with the upcoming GR Corolla.
The outlet also reported it could use an e-4WD system with an electric motor driving the rear wheels.
Both the GR Yaris and GR Yaris Rallye feature the same engine tune, though the latter receives a raft of extra performance equipment.
This includes front and rear Torsen limited-slip differentials, retuned MacPherson strut front and multi-link rear suspension, extra front brake ducting, and 18-inch BBS forged-alloy wheels wrapped in Michelin Pilot Sport 4S tyres.
Car Sensor also reported the Gazoo Racing line-up would expand to include not only a GR Corolla and GRMN Yaris, but also two additional GR Supra variants.
The Supra’s turbocharged 3.0-litre inline-six will reportedly be available with a six-speed manual later this year, while a hotter GRMN Supra with an uprated version of this engine will reportedly appear in 2023.
MORE: Everything Toyota Yaris
