A reminder that we still aren’t cool enough to get so many fun cars.Toyota is set to roll out updates to its rally-bred GR Yaris. The latest changes are largely driven its Gazoo Racing’s motorsport programs, feedback gathered from racing series like the Super Taikyu endurance championship and the Japanese Rally Championship, where the Type 26 GR Yaris platform has been tuned under race conditions.Originally developed as a homologation model for Toyota’s World Rally Championship program, the hot hatch sports a turbocharged three-cylinder and the company’s GR-Four all-wheel-drive system, tuned for both asphalt and dirt use.The latest updates include a revision of the GR Yaris’ electric power steering aimed at delivering better feel and improved feedback, particularly at higher speeds. Toyota says its engineers also retuned the suspension setup and chassis response to provide more stability during hard cornering while maintaining the car’s sharp turn-in.Toyota GR YarisToyota also updated the six-speed manual with stronger internal components. The GR-Four all-wheel-drive system now delivers more precise torque distribution between the front and rear axles, says the automaker, improving traction and corner-out acceleration.Toyota’s says its approach of testing performance models in real racing environments allows its engineers to evaluate components under extreme conditions before including the improvements into production cars. Toyota also emphasized that the GR Yaris remains a key part of its Gazoo Racing performance lineup, which it designed to keep enthusiasts interested in the brand even as the industry transitions toward electrification. Unfortunately, don’t hold your breath if you’re hoping the GR Yaris finally makes its way stateside. Toyota said the updated model will begin rolling out in select markets later this year, with availability starting in Japan and Europe, just not in the US.
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