Nerd Alert! Toyota can't stop tweaking its 2025 GR Yaris: Motorsport inspired evolution of AWD hot hatch ready to blast Honda Civic Type R, Hyundai i30 N and VW Golf GTI

Thanks to five World Rally Championship (WRC) titles and a devout following among performance car enthusiasts, in less than five years Toyota’s pint-sized GR Yaris has achieved hot hatch icon status.

And not content to rest on its laurels, the Japanese giant has continuously evolved the compact turbocharged all-wheel drive package since it emerged in late 2020.

In fact, its latest upgrade arrived here just last month, with more power, a refreshed interior and the option of an eight-speed automatic transmission alongside the existing six-speed manual gearbox.

Now Toyota Gazoo Racing (TGR) has confirmed another GR Yaris evolution, developed with what it says are “insights gained from motorsports”.

Specifically, the WRC, domestic Super Taikyu Series and Japanese Rally Championship where TGR operates under the slogan "Thanks for breaking it", directed at drivers pushing these competition cars to their limits and beyond. 

And prepare yourself for some hardcore nerdy content because some of the updates are closer to a suspension engineer’s fever dream than a conventional running change.

For example, “Special bolts with a high level of fastening rigidity” have been deployed to help fasten chassis components with the aim of improving steering response, straight-line stability and an “evolved sense of oneness with the car”.

The shock absorbers have been re-calibrated and the EPS (Electronic Power Steering) re-tuned “to accommodate changes to the bolts that fasten chassis parts” and  “accommodate increased torque used to tighten a portion of the conventional bolts”.

In one instance the bolts partially securing the front lower arms and lower ball joints change from a 22mm to 24mm head size, and the fasteners locating the top of the rear dampers now feature a stronger faceted flange rather than a flat one. 

TGR Super GT and Super Formula driver Kazuya Oshima was recruited to help refine shock absorber damping force for better control and ride comfort and also improve the steering’s linearity.

A drift and rally-style ‘vertical parking brake’ will be offered as an option on all trim levels, the full suite of ‘Toyota Safety Sense’ features will now be standard across the range and the footrest on automatic models has been enlarged.

Speaking of which, the auto transmission has been “further honed” by expanding the speed range for downshifting (second to first gear) via the paddle shifter when in Drive, “improving the sense of directness” near the redline when selecting ‘Sport’ in manual mode and optimising up-shift timing during full-throttle acceleration.

Three trim levels will be offered in the Japanese domestic market with the flagship RZ "High performance" GR Yaris “tuned to provide speed and controllability at the limit of performance with a view to aggressive circuit driving”.

At the same time, an ‘Aero Performance Package’ will become available in Japan later this year, featuring elements designed to “address every single issue encountered during racing and circuit evaluations”.

The package includes a ducted aluminium hood, front lip spoiler, fender ducts, a fuel tank undercover, variable rear wing and rear bumper ducts.

TGR says orders for the updated GR Yaris are open in Japan now with domestic sales to commence on May 6. Prices range from the equivalent of $39,600 for the entry-level RC manual, to $59,300 for the top-spec RZ High Performance auto.

For reference, the current two-model Australian line-up starts at $55,490, before on-road costs for the GT manual and tops out at $62,990 (BOC) for the GTS auto.

When asked if the latest evolution of the GR Yaris would be offered locally a Toyota spokesperson told CarsGuide, “GR is an increasingly important part of our line-up, bringing added fun and excitement to our customers and our brand with innovations such as the evolved GR Yaris and the optional aero performance package. 

In Australia, we are keen to evaluate any new GR products should they become available for our market,” they said.