Toyota's Even More Powerful GR Yaris Suggests What's Ahead for the GR Corolla

      Nikos Karanikolas/Toyota

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      One aspect I truly value about Toyota’s GR hot hatches is that, despite their relatively short existence, the manufacturer has provided them with numerous updates in that time. For instance, the GR Corolla received additional torque, enhanced cooling, and an optional automatic transmission just two years following its launch. In fact, many of the updates made to the pre-facelift Corolla were later incorporated into the GR Yaris, ensuring our friends across the pond were not left behind. Now, Toyota has introduced a new special edition Yaris that looks impressive and might hint at what’s next for the Corolla.

      This new edition is called the GR Yaris Aero Performance, and as the name suggests, most of the alterations are apparent from the exterior. It features a large adjustable rear wing, a hood cooling vent, a front splitter, ducts on the trailing edges of the front fenders and rear bumper, as well as an underfloor cover designed to optimize airflow. Toyota has stated that these components were developed based on insights gained from racing the Yaris in Japan’s Super Taikyu series and the Japanese Rally Championship.

      Toyota presented the GR Yaris Aero Performance to the public for the first time at the WRC Acropolis Rally in Greece last weekend. Nikos Karanikolas/Toyota

      The vented hood, in particular, draws inspiration from rallying and aids the small 1.6-liter turbocharged three-cylinder engine in breathing during intense driving. Compared to the original GR Yaris, the refreshed version’s front bumper already allows significantly more air to flow through, and this modification enhances it even further.

      However, my favorite feature has to be the adjustable wing, which is both functional and aggressive in appearance. The “GR-Four” embossed on the uprights adds a nice detail.

      If we consider that high-performance GR Corolla Toyota teased a few months ago, we can see several features from this Yaris on that vehicle as well. It had a large wing, also covered in camouflage, along with a new hood featuring a prominent center vent. Additionally, a hatch with a shape reminiscent of one spotted testing at the Nürburgring since late last year has been observed.

      This more powerful GR Corolla has unofficially been nicknamed the “GRMN” model, a title Toyota has traditionally used for some high-performance models tuned for the Nürburgring. If this version of the Corolla—which also seemed to lack a backseat—debuts with that badge this fall, it would be the first Gazoo Racing product to do so in the U.S. and Canada. There is indeed much to anticipate in the realm of all-wheel-drive Toyota sports cars.

      “Born on the track, this vehicle is expected to feature improved aerodynamic performance, increased torque, and unique tuning,” Toyota commented about this GR Corolla development vehicle back in April. Toyota

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