Toyota South Africa Motors just rolled out the updated GR Yaris. This is not your average hatchback—it is a car built with serious input from the GAZOO Racing team, blending rally DNA with real-world driveability. The big news? You can now get it with an eight-speed automatic, not just the manual. That is huge for anyone who wants the thrill, but not the clutch pedal.
The GR Yaris made its debut here in 2021, and since then, it is pulled in 38% of all GR sales in South Africa. That says a lot.
Yaris, we have a number of models on our books - click here to take a look
The car’s got a lightweight body, a turbo-charged engine, and the GR-FOUR all-wheel-drive setup. It is Toyota’s way of bringing what they learn on the track into something you can actually drive every day.
Let us talk about that new automatic—GAZOO Racing Direct Automatic Transmission, or GR-DAT. Toyota evaluated it in tough places, such as the Japan Rally Championship, so it is not just for show. The transmission uses smart software that predicts how you will drive and shifts gears to keep up, especially when you floor it.
Power has also been bumped up. The 1,6-litre three-cylinder turbo now kicks out 210 kW and 400 Nm of torque, all managed by the GR-FOUR system. So, whether you are on tarmac or gravel, you have grip and agility. Toyota tweaked the suspension and cooling, too, so the car’s even more stable and built to last.
Can I afford it – find out with this handy Finance Calculator
Inside, it is all about the driver. There is a big 12,3-inch GR display that shows off all the performance info you would want and the seating position has been dropped by 25 millimetres—so you are closer to the action—and tilted the dashboard display toward the driver. You can pick drive modes to fine-tune the steering, throttle, and transmission. The cabin gets special BRIN NAUB upholstery and new sport seats, so it feels properly sporty.
On the outside, Toyota made a few smart changes. There is a new steel mesh grille to help cool the engine and a redesigned front bumper with extra downforce. The bumper’s split in two now, which actually makes repairs cheaper and easier. Around back, you get updated rear lights and bigger exhaust outlets.
Bumper bashings, break-ins – for the best insurance deal click here
Pricewise, the manual GR Yaris Rally sits at R942,200, while the new automatic goes for R971,300. Both come with a nine-service or 90 000-kilometre plan and a three-year or 10 000-kilometre warranty. You can extend those through any Toyota dealer. You have some sharp colours to choose from: Platinum White Pearl, Lunar Black, Glacier White, Fierce Red, and Midnight Grey. Every owner gets access to the MyToyota app for services and info. Plus, every new car comes with a device that, once you opt in, gives you in-car WiFi—25GB to start—and more connected features.
Colin Windell for Colin-on-Cars in association with
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