ICYMI: Toyota debuts faster GR Yaris, customization program and a GT3-spec concept car

Colin
By Colin Wood
Jan 15, 2022 | Toyota, Gazoo Racing, Yaris, GRMN, Tokyo Auto Salon

Photography Courtesy Toyota

Just how busy has Toyota been leading up to this year’s Tokyo Auto Salon? The brand debuted two new cars–the GRMN Yaris and the GR GT3 Concept–plus a customization program for the current GR Yaris.

The press release doesn’t mention many specifics about the GT3 Concept, though it appears to be an announcement of Toyota’s intention to sell GT3-spec race cars to customers:

TGR is committed to further accelerating customer motorsports activities to make the world of motorsports sustainable. Promoting "driver first" car development and with a desire to provide attractive cars that customers participating in GT3, which is the pinnacle of customer motorsports, would choose, TGR has unveiled the GR GT3 Concept.

As opposed to the current GR model, the GRMN Yaris improves upon the formula by “applying a wide range of technologies and parts developed through motorsports to focus on weight reduction and enhanced body rigidity.”

The most notable of these improvements include a close-ratio manual transmission, more spot welds on the chassis (seriously) and the replacement of the hood, roof and rear spoiler with carbon fiber components.

In case that’s not enough to keep you interested, two optional performance packages are offered for the GRMN Yaris, the Circuit Package and the Rally Package:

Circuit Package

  • BBS GRMN dedicated 18-inch wheels
  • Larger brakes
  • Bilstein® shock absorber with adjustable damping force
  • Carbon (twill weave CFRP) Rear spoiler
  • Side skirt
  • Lip spoiler

Rally Package

  • GR shock absorber & short stabilizer link set
  • GR under guard set
  • GR roll bar (with side bar)

The fun doesn’t stop there, though, as GRMN Yaris customers will be able to have their cars further refined to their individual needs through two different programs. The first of these is the Update Program, which offers parts and software updates pulled from “technology refined in the field of motorsports.” The other program, the Personalization Program, uses the customer’s on-track driving data to further personalize how the Yaris performs by adjusting both software and hardware.

Yes, it’s a shame that most of what’s above is forbidden fruit, but the GRMN Yaris and its optional packages and customization programs give us hope at what the upcoming GR Corolla could have in store.

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Comments
engiekev
engiekev HalfDork
1/14/22 10:26 a.m.

PLEASE toyota bring the rally package to the corolla GR. I will buy one, not kidding.

Gearheadotaku (Forum Supporter)
Gearheadotaku (Forum Supporter) GRM+ Memberand UltimaDork
1/14/22 11:42 a.m.

That GT3 concept is gorgeous. Make that the new LFA!

mistanfo
mistanfo UltraDork
1/14/22 1:52 p.m.

Give us the GR Yaris! You can afford to, even in small numbers. The FR-S proves that you can afford a smaller number of vehicles...

gearheadE30
gearheadE30 Dork
1/14/22 3:58 p.m.

Toyota went all in with the Yaris -  I guess I'm a little surprised they haven't done something like this with the Zupra or the 86.

Pete. (l33t FS)
Pete. (l33t FS) GRM+ Memberand MegaDork
1/14/22 5:02 p.m.
engiekev said:

PLEASE toyota bring the rally package to the corolla GR. I will buy one, not kidding.

The new Corolla is longer overall and has a longer wheelbase than my S60R.

I want a SMALL car with lots of power and all wheel drive.  None of this giant car crap.  If that is what Toyota will dish out, $35k or whatever buys a lot of maintenance, and it will probably look a lot nicer in 2032 too.

STM317
STM317 UberDork
1/14/22 6:37 p.m.
gearheadE30 said:

Toyota went all in with the Yaris -  I guess I'm a little surprised they haven't done something like this with the Zupra or the 86.

Probably hard to do much with other people's powertrains.

Pete. (l33t FS)
Pete. (l33t FS) GRM+ Memberand MegaDork
1/14/22 6:42 p.m.
STM317 said:
gearheadE30 said:

Toyota went all in with the Yaris -  I guess I'm a little surprised they haven't done something like this with the Zupra or the 86.

Probably hard to do much with other people's powertrains.

That isn't fair.

It's other people's chassis, too, not just the power trains.

 

The 86 IS a Subaru, IIRC Toyota mostly brought capital investment to the party.  Not sure what BMW gets out of the Supra.

j_tso
j_tso HalfDork
1/14/22 7:44 p.m.

JNC contends the GR GT3 hints at Mazda's RX-Vision

Toyota and Mazda share a plant in Alabama that started production of the Corolla Cross, and there are rumors that the straight 6 Mazda has been planning is also going to be shared.

They sure do look similar especially the doors, also along with the cgi Lexus EV concept that was shown late last year.

thashane
thashane GRM+ Memberand Reader
1/14/22 8:41 p.m.

is it emissions?! is that why we don't get (all of the) cool cars?! 

engiekev
engiekev HalfDork
1/15/22 10:29 a.m.
Pete. (l33t FS) said:
engiekev said:

PLEASE toyota bring the rally package to the corolla GR. I will buy one, not kidding.

The new Corolla is longer overall and has a longer wheelbase than my S60R.

I want a SMALL car with lots of power and all wheel drive.  None of this giant car crap.  If that is what Toyota will dish out, $35k or whatever buys a lot of maintenance, and it will probably look a lot nicer in 2032 too.

It's that big? With awd it'll probably weigh more than an s60r. Not likely any manufacturer will produce something like that any time soon.

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