Toyota GR Yaris Review, Specs & Performance
The Toyota GR Yaris is not just an unbelievable all-wheel-drive creation, but it offers fun and thrills as well. This ‘hot hatch’ is a stylish and impressive contract hire offering. Unbelievable all-wheel-drive performance. Great handling and fun.
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Overview of the Toyota GR Yaris
As a high-performance car, there's a lot to like about the Toyota GR Yaris and it is quicker than the Ford Fiesta ST, for example. It's also quicker than the Polo GTI, and this three-door model is based on the latest five-door Toyota Yaris hatchback. The three-door design gives it a more rigid body and better aerodynamic behaviours.
ENGINES AND PERFORMANCE FOR THE TOYOTA GR YARIS
The Toyota GR Yaris uses a powerful 1.6-litre three-cylinder petrol engine that delivers an impressive 257bhp to create one of the most powerful production superminis ever. The 0 to 62mph sprint time takes 5.5 seconds, and the car will go onto a top speed of 143 mph. Fuel economy is between 25 and 30mpg. Power is delivered using the all-wheel-drive - while rivals stick to two-wheel-drive - so there is plenty of grip. Toyota is also offering a 'Circuit Pack' for its GR Yaris to really put this supermini through its paces.
Toyota GR Yaris in a nutshell
The new car uses a mix of materials in its construction, including carbon fibre polymer for the roof and aluminium for the doors, bonnet and tailgate. The roofline has been lowered slightly than the standard Yaris to help boost aerodynamics, and the engine has been mounted further back to help improve weight distribution. The suspension has also been boosted to feature a double-wishbone set-up for the rear axle.
EQUIPMENT AND HANDLING
In reality, the Toyota GR Yaris is a homologation special and its heritage is from the car used in the World Rallying Championship (WRC). In this case, it's much like the Subaru Impreza WRX which became a bestseller from its rallying sibling.
Prices for the new GR Yaris start at less than £30,000 and for those who are wanting a high-performance hot hatchback, then it's worth considering as a car lease. Perhaps, the more attractive contract hire alternative will be the GR Yaris Circuit Pack model that will cost £33,495.
Drivers wanting a well-produced and well-designed car will have something to really enjoy on a racetrack. It helps that famous rally driver Tommi Mäkinen, who is also in charge of Toyota's rallying team, has had a big influence on the design, along with the firm's Gazoo Racing team.
The GR Yaris is as close to the rallying version as possible - some reports say it is 80% similar - and the 'intelligent manual transmission' with six-speeds will underpin the fun.
The brakes, as you would expect, are very large and feature four-cylinder callipers. Drivers also get dual-exit exhaust pipes, keyless entry, a leather steering wheel and active noise control.
The Circuit Pack model features a tuned suspension, a pair of limited slip differentials plus red brake callipers. The model also features 'sticky tyres' for better performance.
Essentially, the Toyota GR Yaris is an incredible creation and while there's nothing sensible about it, it will be a popular choice for those who want a hot hatch supermini delivering fun and incredible levels of performance. If you want a great supermini to impress, then the GR Yaris makes for a sound car leasing opportunity.
MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE TOYOTA YARIS
Why not have a look at the GR Yaris on the official Toyota UK company website? Or why not look at some of these similar car lease deals: Ford Fiesta ST and the Volkswagen Polo GTI.