TOYOTA GAZOO Racing Premieres GRMN Yaris in Japan

Limited to 500 Units

 

Chiba, Japan, January 14, 2022―TOYOTA GAZOO Racing (TGR) premiered the "GRMN Yaris" at Tokyo Auto Salon 2022 on January 14. Sales of a 500-unit limited edition model are expected to begin at GR Garages nationwide around summer 2022. The GRMN Yaris is a fully tuned model of the GR Yaris that has gone through rigorous refinement with professional drivers. In addition, a new program is to be activated that will deliver to customers the type of daily vehicle evolution and driver-tailored customization that takes place in motorsports.

 

Since its launch in September in 2020, the GR Yaris has been involved in various motorsports, such as the Super Taikyu Series where President Toyoda got behind the wheel as Morizo and participated with ROOKIE Racing, and the Japanese Rally Championship, where it won the season championship.

 

The GR Yaris has been refined through "driver first" car development. Issues under extreme use conditions are identified through driver feedback and quickly resolved. Each car can be tailored to the driver to evolve into a safe and easy-to-drive vehicle.

 

The development of the GRMN Yaris began from Morizo's desire to "deliver cars to customers that evolve quickly and can be tailored to individuals like in the field of motorsports." Using lessons learned from motorsports competition, body rigidity has been enhanced, weight has been reduced by approximately 20 kg, overall width has been increased by 10 mm for aerodynamic improvement, and vehicle height has been reduced by 10 mm for a lower center of gravity. Also, it uses mechanical LSD, a close-ratio gear transmission, and a low final gear set, which has been improved through repeated "breaking and fixing". The GR Yaris has evolved into a car that can be driven faster and with more peace of mind, with improved braking force, grip, cornering and following performance based on feedback from professional drivers.

 

Additionally, through the two Update Program and Personalization Program services, we will provide customers with "cars that evolve quickly and can be tailored to individuals" just like they are in motorsports. The GRMN Yaris offers the enjoyment of race-car like ongoing progress by achieving real-time car evolution for each race with the Update Program and driving experiences that that bring out performance through tailoring the car to the driver with the Personalization Program.

 

The reservation lottery for the GRMN Yaris will start today on the TGR Website, and cars will be sold at GR Garages nationwide around summer 2022. In addition to the basic grade, a Circuit Package focused on road performance based on feedback from the Super Taikyu will also be available. The Circuit Package is available in a special Matte Steel*8 exterior color and will be sold as a 50-unit limited edition.

 

Vehicle Outline

Based on the GR Yaris, the GRMN Yaris has achieved the ultimate in lightweight sports 4WD by applying a wide range of technologies and parts developed through motorsports to focus on weight reduction and enhanced body rigidity.

 

It features a close-ratio gear transmission and a low final gear set that has been refined in the field of motorsports. For gear ratios, close-ratio 1st to 4th gears make efficient use of the engine power band, and low final gears for optimized driving force have been combined. To improve reliability during endurance races and other situations, SNCM material was used and shot processing was added to 1st, 3rd, 4th, 5th, and final gears, significantly improving shock torque and fatigue strength.

In addition to the lightweight high-rigidity carbon (twill weave CFRP) used for the hood, roof, and rear spoiler, removing the rear seats to make it a two-person car, has achieved weight reduction of approximately 20 kg compared to the GR Yaris.

 

The number of spot welds has increased by 545 compared to the GR Yaris, and body rigidity has been further enhanced by applying 12-m*6 longer structural adhesive. This gives more direct response to driver's input.

As with the GR Yaris, production will be carried out on a dedicated production line at Toyota's Motomachi Plant, and plans are for assembly to be carried out by takumi (master craftsperson) team members.