2017 Toyota Yaris Refreshed, Gains Supercharged Hot Hatch Model
Linky
But will it come to the US?
The Yaris GRMN, short for Gazoo Racing Masters of the Nürburgring is a highly tuned hot-hatch inspired by Toyota’s return to the FIA World Rally Championship.
Under its short hood is a 1.8-liter supercharged four-cylinder engine that will deliver more than 210 horsepower. It’s paired with a six-speed manual transmission, which routes torque through a Torsen limited-slip differential.
Naturally, the suspension has been reworked, with lower springs, a larger stabilizer bar and special shock absorbers. The brakes have also been upsized and feature four-piston calipers. Bringing it all together, this car has been tested and tuned on the Nürburgring Nordschleife.
Visually, the Yaris GRMN has unique front and rear bumpers, a rear diffuser, center-mounted tailpipe and 17-inch BBS wheels. There’s also a black spoiler.
Inside, the driver and front passenger are treated to specially designed front seats. As for touch points, the steering wheel is shared with the GT86 sports car and the pedals are dressed up with aluminum covers.
The Toyota Yaris GRMN performance hatchback will first go on sale in Europe starting early next year.
NickD
SuperDork
3/8/17 10:02 a.m.
A car built for a race series with no US exposure by a manufacturer that likes to not bring the good stuff to the US? I'm highly skeptical we'll see it, as cool as it is.
What the US will actually get!
I doubt it'll come here, but if it does I am very much interested given a realistic price point.
I wonder if there are factory parts to "easily" put a 1.8L into a Yaris. That would be a great starting place.
My guess would be it'll be a 35k car... that's only realistically worth 18k.
Duke
MegaDork
3/8/17 1:07 p.m.
trucke wrote:
I see the family resemblance:
That nose looks like a Pokemon character.
In reply to That's great.
I saw a bunch of Gazoo parts at MegaWeb on Odaiba the last time I was there. Pretty neat that they're making it a sub-brand and not just "weird uncle Akio's supercharger kits."
I'd drive this thing.
In reply to trucke:
"The Yaris GRMN, short for Gazoo Racing Masters of the Nürburgring"
Really? I think it's short for Grassroots Motorsport Nerd
I guess I just don't understand modern design.
Still, given the playing field, I kinda like it.
It's awesome but I highly doubt it will come here. Small cars are selling like crap right now and if the rumored adjustable border tax is implemented they're going to get really expensive, since they're all built elsewhere. Ford is apparently on the fence about even offering the Fiesta anymore because of the slow sales and potential price spike. So the Yaris GRMN is probably a no-go
mndsm
MegaDork
3/8/17 7:13 p.m.
bigdaddylee82 wrote:
I would buy one in this color and this color alone.
I still think "It's a car!" is the single best slogan anybody has ever used to sell a car.
NickD
SuperDork
3/9/17 5:15 a.m.
That awkward moment when Toyota gives the YARIS more power than the FR-S.
In reply to pointofdeparture:
That isn't a small car problem, that's a leadership problem.
Brian
MegaDork
3/9/17 7:27 a.m.
I'm interested. I'm hoping it doesn't come to the US so I won't be tempted.
It would be interesting to see how it does against an Abarth. What else is comparable stock, a FiST?
trucke wrote:
The Yaris GRMN, short for Gazoo Racing Masters of the Nürburgring is a highly tuned hot-hatch inspired by Toyota’s return to the FIA World Rally Championship.
Under its short hood is a 1.8-liter supercharged four-cylinder engine that will deliver more than 210 horsepower. It’s paired with a six-speed manual transmission, which routes torque through a Torsen limited-slip differential.
This sounds like a weird combination to me: Nurburgring + FIA World Rally Championship.
I wonder if this is more about building enough cars to be able to enter the VLN & 24hour race? The Gazoo CH-R did pretty well in class last year, iirc.