The Toyota GR Yaris, a surprising contender in the hot hatch category, has managed to capture the attention of enthusiasts, even though Toyota isn't typically associated with this segment. The car's existence can be attributed, in part, to the World Rally Championship's homologation rules, but there's more to it than just regulatory compliance.
Introduced just before the global lockdown in 2020, the current GR Yaris has now reached the three-year mark, which is usually the time when Japanese cars receive updates. Additionally, its larger sibling, the GR Corolla, recently underwent minor refinements. Naturally, enthusiasts are curious about what Toyota has in store for this pocket rocket.
Although there are no official reports yet, the Japanese publication Best Car Web claims to have inside information about the updated Toyota GR Yaris. One of the most significant revelations is the possibility of an automatic transmission option. Surprisingly, Toyota has been working on an automatic transmission for the GR Yaris for some time. In fact, Toyota had already fitted automatic transmissions to both the GR Yaris and GR Corolla and subjected them to durability testing as of March. Best Car Web suggests that the automatic version of this rally-ready hatch could feature an eight-speed unit with paddle shifters. If you are thinking that this is the famous ZF eight-speed automatic transmission found in a lot of other cars, then you would be wrong. This is a true in-house unit designed and engineered by Toyota themselves.
However, the real headline here is the potential engine upgrade. According to the Japanese report, the updated GR Yaris is expected to squeeze more power from its 1.6-liter turbocharged three-cylinder engine. The estimated figures hover around 300 hp and approximately 370 Nm of torque, marking a substantial increase of 43 hp and 10 Nm of torque. These estimated power figures do not come as a surprise since the GR Corolla, which uses the same G16E-GTS engine, also makes similar numbers.
In addition to the powertrain updates, some exterior changes and aero tweaks are also anticipated. Nevertheless, it's essential to remember that nothing has been officially confirmed yet. Enthusiasts will have to wait patiently to see if these reports from Japan materialize into reality. The evolution of the Toyota GR Yaris is something many are eagerly anticipating, as it represents a refreshing addition to the world of hot hatches, defying expectations with each new update.
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