What do you think of Toyota? Hybrid maybe and rather unspectacular cars. Now the Japanese brand has a really different car: The Yaris GR has all-wheel drive and the most powerful three-cylinder in the world with a whopping 261 hp. Market launch is in the second half of the year.
Toyota calls the newcomer GR Yaris, not Yaris GR. We stick to the more traditional spelling, just as we did with the Multipla back then, which we still remember with horror because it is official Multipla Fiat was called. The newcomer will be presented at the Tokyo Auto Salon (January 10th to 12th, 2020).
A newly developed turbo three-cylinder ensures the propulsion. It produces 261 hp from a displacement of 1.6 liters and produces a maximum torque of 360 Newton meters. The four-valve engine has a single-scroll turbo and has D4S injection, which combines direct and manifold injection. The engine is coupled to a six-speed circuit.
Low weight was one of the most important development goals. The roof is therefore made of a new carbon fiber polymer; The bonnet, doors and tailgate are made of aluminum. The curb weight is only 1,280 kilos (without driver). This results in a power to weight ratio of only 4.9 kilos per horsepower. The Yaris GR accelerates from zero to 100 km / h in 5.5 seconds. The top (electronically limited) is 230 km / h.
The power is brought to the road by the new all-wheel drive system GR-Four, It is extremely flexible: The drive torque can theoretically be distributed between 100: 0 (pure front wheel drive) to 0: 100 (pure rear wheel drive). Optionally, Torsen differentials on the front and rear axles also allow the drive torque to be shared between the individual wheels of an axle.
The driver can adapt the all-wheel drive system: in normal mode, the basic setting is 60:40 between the front and rear axles, in sport mode the distribution changes to a more rear-facing ratio of 30:70, in track mode there is a 50:50 distribution activated. Regardless of this, the power distribution in all modes automatically adapts to the respective requirements, driving behavior and road conditions.
The independent platform of the Yaris GR combines the front part of the TNGA-B platform of the new series Yaris with the stern of the larger TNGA-C platform. So it was possible to integrate the all-wheel drive in the vehicle and to replace the torsion beam rear axle of the Yaris with a double wishbone axle. The 365-millimeter discs with four-piston calipers at the front and the 297-millimeter discs with two-piston calipers at the rear provide the deceleration.
With the optional Circuit pack the car can be optimized for circuit and rally use. Included here are the two Torsen differentials on the front and rear axles, a specially tuned chassis and forged 18-inch aluminum wheels with Michelin Pilot Sport 4s tires in the 225/40 R18 format.
In addition to the weight, the weight distribution and aerodynamics were also important. The roof line was therefore lowered by nine centimeters compared to the new Yaris, the engine was moved further back towards the center of the vehicle and the battery was accommodated in the trunk. The more favorable weight distribution that results from this improves handling, stability and responsiveness. Frameless doors create a sporty coupe look, and the grill and front spoiler have also been modified. There are also 18-inch models in muscular wheel arches. Toyota does not yet say what the car costs and when it can be ordered.
The Yaris GR is used to develop a new rally vehicle for the team Toyota Gazoo Racing, who has been competing in the World Rally Championship for three years and has already won the manufacturers ‘title (2018) and once the drivers’ title (2019). The Yaris GR is the first homologation model for the World Rally Championship since the end of production of the Celica GT-Four in 1999.
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