Although having been on the market for quite some time, Toyota South Africa Motors (TSAM) has officially unleashed the refreshed GR Yaris in Mzansi, with the updated model, which can now be had with the choice of six-speed manual or eight-speed automatic transmission options, boasting more power and torque.
The updated Toyota GR Yaris is powered by an uprated version of the Japanese automaker’s 1.6-litre, three-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine. Indeed, the turbo-triple has been tuned to now produce 210 kW and 400 N.m of torque, delivered to the road via the firm’s GR-Four all-wheel-drive system. (As a reminder, the outgoing SA-spec GR Yaris, which we sampled in 2021, was endowed with 198 kW and 360 N.m.)
In addition to the injection of power and twisting force, perhaps the most significant change to the GR Yaris model line-up is the introduction of a Toyota Gazoo Racing’s Direct Automatic Transmission (DAT). According to the firm, the “advanced” eight-speed unit, which is offered alongside a six-speed manual gearbox, has been engineered to offer rapid and responsive gear shifts – thus allowing the driver to focus more on steering and throttle inputs in dynamic driving scenarios. Unlike conventional automatic transmissions, the DAT features predictive software that anticipates gear changes based on the driver’s driving style to provide both intuitive and performance-oriented shifts.
“By introducing the new automatic transmission option, Toyota has made the GR Yaris more accessible to those who seek high-performance motoring without compromising on convenience or control,” said the manufacturer.
Toyota claims both the DAT- and manual-equipped derivatives sprint to the three-figure marker from a standstill in just 5.2 seconds, three-tenths of a second quicker than the previous model, before topping out at 230 km/h. Average fuel consumption is a claimed 9.1 L/100 km for the DAT model and 8.2 L/100 km for the manual variant.
How much does the refreshed Toyota GR Yaris cost in South Africa?
The two-strong range is priced from R942 200 and R971 300 for the manual and DAT derivatives, respectively. As standard, both models ship with a service plan spanning nine services or 90 000 km, and a three-year/100 000 km warranty.
- Toyota GR Yaris 1.6T GR-Four Rally MT — R942 200
- Toyota GR Yaris 1.6T GR-Four Rally DAT — R971 300