Toyota GR Yaris is being given a wee June tweak. The upgraded GR Yaris gets a smaller steering wheel, recalibrated electric power steering and, on GTS models, Bridgestone Potenza Race tyres. The official Toyota GR Yaris page shows how much of this update comes from competition work rather than change for the sake of it.
The wheel drops from 365mm to 360mm, which is amost not worth mentioning, and certainly not enough to see by eye. Toyota has also reshaped the grips so the wheel sits more naturally in the palms during cornering. The steering wheel switches now sit independently and gain ringed illumination, a small motorsport nod.
Our 2021 Toyota GR Yaris AWD Hot Hatch Review was always about feel more than badge nonsense. The GR badge has now been watered down by being added to very unsporty SUVs such as the LC300 but is at least well placed on the GR Yaris. Toyota has widened the operating range for electric power assistance, so the car should feel a fraction more natural when the front tyres are loaded. On GTS, the Potenza Race rubber adds a little extra grip to the cutest hot hatch on the market.
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ABOVE: Toyota GR Yaris track, rally and cabin details.
Toyota Australia Vice President John Pappas said the changes are relatively small, but they show how Toyota wants its GR road cars to keep feeding off the brand’s motorsport program. GR Yaris does not need another touch screen sermon. It needs the steering, tyre and driver contact points to keep focus where it should be, the drive.
Toyota’s rally dance card has been rather full. Earlier this month, GR Yaris took two podium spots at Rally de Portugal in the World Rally Championship, while the GR Yaris Rally2 scored a one two finish in WRC2. Toyota still leads the WRC standings after six rounds, which gives the little road car’s upgrade story real gravitas.
The Australian thread continues via TOYOTA GAZOO Racing Australia’s Harry Bates at the Rally de Portugal with British co-driver Keaton Williams for Sports Racing Technologies. Bates opened strongly, sitting 16th in WRC2 after day one and 46 seconds off the pace, before three punctures on Friday and suspension damage on Saturday dragged the result down. He still finished the weekend with third in the Power Stage, still something to be proud of.
Bates returns to his regular co-driver Coral Taylor for the Forest Rally in Western Australia on 22 May, where he will try to defend his Australian Rally Championship lead. Meanwhile, the upgraded GR Yaris gives road drivers a small reminder that Toyota’s wild child is still being sharpened by people who break cars in public for a living.
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Alan Zurvas is the founder and editor of Gay Car Boys, Australia's leading LGBTQI+ automotive publication. Before launching GCB in 2008, Alan's automotive writing was published in SameSame.com.au and the Star Observer. With over 16 years of hands-on car reviewing experience, Alan brings an honest, irreverent voice to every review — championing value and innovation over brand loyalty.
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