Toyota has used the Tokyo Auto Salon to debut a series of GR Yaris-based concepts and special editions.
GR Yaris RZ Sébastien Ogier Edition Concept
This concept commemorates Sébastien Ogier, who won the drivers’ title in the 2021 FIA World Rally Championship, and previews a production special edition.
Further details, including the release detail, will be revealed soon.
It’s finished in matte silver, with a large rear wing, WRC champion decals, blue brake callipers and flag decorations on the wheels.
Inside, there’s unique blue, white and red stitching on the steering wheel, and a plaque on the front console.
It receives a bump in torque to 390Nm – as seen in the Japanese-market GRMN and vehicles given the Performance Software 2.0 upgrade – plus a “dedicated control” for the 4WD mode selector.
GR Yaris RZ Kalle Rovanperä Edition Concept
Kalle Rovanperä, who won the 2022 drivers’ title, has also received a concept commemorating him.
As with the Ogier Edition, launch timing and other details will be revealed at a later date.
It’s rather less subtle than the Ogier Edition, with a garish red, white and grey exterior. It also wears a large rear wing and various aerodynamic parts, plus red brake callipers and WRC championship decals.
Inside, there’s blue, white and red stitching on the steering wheel and a special WRC plaque.
Like the Ogier edition, it also receives a dedicated 4WD mode control plus a bump in torque to 390Nm.
GR Yaris GR Parts Concept
Toyota revealed a GR Parts concept version of the GR Yaris, wearing a raft of parts it will begin offering in GR Garages in Japan from the end of this month.
The first parts Toyota will offer are interior parts: a unique suede-wrapped steering wheel, shift knob and handbrake lever, plus recaro full bucket seats.
Later in the year, it’ll begin offering the carbon bonnet and rear wing seen on this concept, as well as a cold air intake duct and NACA ducts, and a shock absorber set.
We’ve contacted Toyota Australia to confirm whether these parts will be available here.
GR Yaris Rally2 Concept
After revealing it late last year, Toyota has showcased the GR Yaris Rally2 Concept at the Tokyo Auto Salon.
The Rally2 Concept doesn’t preview a road car, but rather an entrant for the Rally2 series that’s been developed by Toyota in Japan, Toyota Gazoo Racing Europe in Germany, and the Toyota Gazoo Racing World Rally Team OY in Finland.
With this motorsport study model, Toyota has taken the standard GR Yaris and equipped it with rally-specific parts such as a roll cage and rear wing that comply with FIA regulations.
Toyota also says it uses a special engine, sequential transmission, suspension and brakes.
It continues to use a turbocharged 1.6-litre three-cylinder engine, though it’s mated with a five-speed transmission.
Toyota also says it has reduced weight compared with the road-going GR Yaris. FIA regulations stipulate a minimum weight of 1230kg, while the standard GR Yaris has a tare mass of 1290kg.
Given the GR Yaris was developed from the outset with an eye to winning the WRC, there’s a strong base from which the Rally2 was built from.
Toyota will enter a vehicle based on the concept, tentatively called the GR Yaris WR Concept, in the Japanese Rally Championship. It says it will continue development and take feedback from customer motorsports teams, with a goal of obtaining homologation in January 2024.
