TOYOTA GAZOO Racing presents GR Yaris Special Editions

• Limited-edition versions of the new GR Yaris developed with personal input from TOYOTA GAZOO Racing World Rally Team (TGR-WRT) champion drivers Sébastien Ogier and Kalle Rovanperä
• New models aimed at true performance car aficionados
• World-first reveal on the opening day of Rallye Monte-Carlo, the first event in TGR-WRT’s defence of its World Rally Championship titles
• The “Ogier Edition” and “Rovanperä Edition” have all-wheel drive control modes programmed to reflect the performance and handling preferences of each driver, plus unique styling features
• Produced in strictly limited numbers

Toyota today reveals two exclusive high-performance versions of the new GR Yaris, developed with personal input from TOYOTA GAZOO Racing World Rally Team (TGR-WRT) champion drivers Sébastien Ogier and Kalle Rovanperä. The new models make their debut on the first day of Rallye-Monte Carlo, the opening event in the 2024 FIA World Rally Championship (WRC).

The new models have been developed from concept versions which were shown at the 2023 Tokyo Auto Salon, under the supervision of Ogier, who won two of his eight WRC driver’s titles with TGR-WRT, in 2020 and 2021, and Rovanperä, the winner in 2022 and 2023.

Their creation has been inspired by the desire of Toyota Motor Corporation Chairman and Master Driver Akio Toyoda – alias “Morizo” – to express his respect and gratitude to the drivers “who hone and grow our cars in rallies” and to the teams, the rally organisers and the sport’s fans.

In each car the “Gravel” and “Track” modes featured on the standard GR Yaris have been replaced with settings reprogrammed to reflect each driver’s personal preferences for handling and performance. In addition, each of the special versions has distinctive new exterior and interior styling features.

Both cars are powered by the latest development of the GR Yaris’ 1.6-litre turbocharged three-cylinder engine, producing 280 DIN hp and 390 Nm of torque, matched to six-speed intelligent manual transmission (6iMT).

Ogier Edition

The Ogier Edition GR Yaris has two new AWD control modes: Morizo and Seb. The Morizo mode has been developed by Morizo (Akio Toyoda) through his rally driving experiences. It is calibrated to help deliver consistent race times under acceleration, partial acceleration and braking. The Seb mode, developed by Ogier, uses the front and rear Torsen limited slip differentials and all-wheel drive to distribute torque to the rear axle so that the back of the car can be swung out with relative ease. This gives the driver a sense of being fully connected with the car and will help them achieve quicker times with high-speed driving body control.

The Ogier Edition’s bodywork has a dedicated Matt Stealth Grey paint finish and features the French national flag (Ogier’s home nation) on the radiator grille and the 18x8J BBS alloy wheels. WRC commemorative stickers are added to the front wings.

The stand-out details also include a new-design carbon fibre CFRP rear spoiler and blue-painted brake callipers. TOYOTA GAZOO Racing decals have been added to the left and right doors and an Ogier Edition logo to the back door.

Inside, there is a WRC victory commemoration plaque on passenger side of the instrument panel and contrast blue, grey and red stitching (honouring the French national colours) on the steering wheel. Grey stitching is used for the shift and parking brake gaiters and the seat upholstery.

On both special editions, the new GR Yaris’ digital instrumentation has been revised to include the new modes, together with the regular Normal AWD control mode.

Rovanperä Edition

The Rovanperä Edition has a unique Donut Mode, created specifically for the WRC’s youngest champion who is highly skilled in drifting and performing tyre-smoking donuts. Here, the new mode allows for easy driving and “door turns” with a constant, strong torque flow to the rear wheels.

This GR Yaris version also provides Kalle Mode. This uses a constant-velocity rear differential and front and rear Torsen limited-slip differentials to produce linear handling characteristics so the back end of the car can be powerfully swung out as it enters a bend and allowing the front to be pulled forward on the throttle on the exit.

The car has an exclusive three-tone paint finish, applied as a series of painted motifs by the designer of Rovanperä’s race helmet. WRC victory stickers are added to the front wings and there are TOYOTA GAZOO Racing decals on the doors and rear bumper and a Rovanperä Edition badge on the back door. As well as BBS 18x8J alloys, the car is fitted with a CFRP variable wing rear spoiler, shared with the GRMN Yaris, and constant-velocity rear differential gears.

In the cabin the trim and upholstery stitching again match the driver’s national colours, in this case blue and grey for Finland. As in the Ogier Edition, a special plaque commemorates TGR’s WRC victory.

The Ogier and Rovanperä Editions will be built in strictly limited numbers. Details of ordering and sales in European markets will be announced at a later date by national distributors.

Summary of Special Editions features