'Evolved Toyota GR Yaris' gets driver-inspired treatment

MANILA: The evolved Toyota Gazoo Racing (GR) Yaris rally car now has two very limited, special-edition models.

According to the Japanese carmaker, the said special models were inspired by Toyota GR World Rally Team members Sébastien Ogier and Kalle Rovanperä. Only 100 units of each “editions” will be produced.

Toyota GR Yaris Ogier Edition exterior, interior

Outside, the Toyota GR Yaris Ogier Edition dons a Matte Stealth Gray complete with World Rally Championship (WRC) victory commemorative decals slapped on its left and right front fenders. At the center of the front radiator grille is the French national flag, which is an ode to Ogier.

The French flag is also seen on the car’s 18-inch BBS aluminum wheels, together with the Toyota Gazoo Racing (TGR) logo. Inside are blue brake calipers.

Additional exterior features include an Ogier Edition logo at the back door and a lightweight rally spoiler made of carbon fiber reinforced plastic (CFRP) material.

Per Toyota, the cabin of the Toyota GR Yaris Ogier Edition boasts a WRC victory commemorative badge on the passenger’s seat. The steering wheel also has stitching that pays homage to the French flag (blue, gray, and red) while the shift boot, parking brake cover, and seats get gray seams.

Past the aforementioned steering wheel is an exclusive GR Full TFT gauge display.

Toyota GR Yaris Rovanperä Edition exterior, interior

The Toyota GR Yaris Rovanperä Edition, on the other hand, flaunts an exterior with exclusive color in a three-tone paint. And like the aforementioned limited-edition variant, the Rovanperä Edition also wears WRC victory commemorative decals on each of its front fenders.

Notably, the Toyota GR Yaris Rovanperä Edition has constant-velocity rear differential gears. It also gets 18-inch BBS aluminum wheels with the TGR logo; TGR decals on the left and right doors, and the rear bumper; a Rovanperä Edition logo on the hatch, and a rear spoiler with a variable wing made of CFRP material.

Inside, the Toyota GR Yaris Rovanperä Edition gets a WRC victory commemorative badge on the front passenger seat, as well as blue and gray stitches — the colors of the Finnish flag — on the steering wheel, shift boot, parking brake cover, and seats.

Toyota GR Yaris special edition driving modes

Further adding a certain level of individualism to the two limited models are the driving modes included in each variant.

The Toyota GR Yaris Ogier Edition, for example, has three available driving modes: Morizo mode, Seb. mode, and Normal mode.

According to Toyota, Morizo mode allows its would-be owners to achieve a high level of both traction and turning performance as “restraint (direct connection) is maximally applied to the front and rear wheels during acceleration and relaxed only as necessary during braking.”

The said driving style is the preference of Ogier.

Seb mode, on the other hand, will make it so that “the front and rear distribution of driving force favors the rear wheels.” Doing so ensures the turning performance of the front wheels and enables vehicle control using the rear-wheel driving force.

“This not only provides a sense of oneness with the vehicle but, by enabling vehicle control at high speeds, also contributes to shorter race times,” Toyota explained.

As for the Toyota GR Yaris Rovanperä Edition, it gets a Donut mode, Kalle mode, and Normal mode.

Rovanperä is known for standing out at drifting and donut turns. So, the Donut mode ensures that “restraint (direct connection) is maximally applied to the front and rear wheels to ensure slide control during drifting.”

Meanwhile, Kalle mode maximizes the use of an additionally installed constant velocity rear differential and “allows aggressively swinging out the vehicle's rear when entering a curve and pulling forward the vehicle's front using the accelerator when exiting a curve, contributing to shorter race times.”

How to get the Toyota GR Yaris special editions?

Per the Aichi-based auto brand, those who want to drive home the limited Toyota GR Yaris Ogier Edition and Toyota GR Yaris Rovanperä Edition will have to purchase lottery tickets to get a chance to buy the special cars.

“Purchasing lotteries for sales of both models in Japan are to start this spring through GR Garage locations nationwide,” the company wrote.

Those who will be lucky enough to purchase the Toyota GR Yaris Ogier Edition and Toyota GR Yaris Rovanperä Edition will also get the chance to interact with the drivers and other team members of the Toyota GR World Rally Team.

They will also be treated to a WRC car viewing and pit tour and Special Stage (SS) spectating.

Further, the names of the buyers will be displayed on WRC cars for the 2024 season in selected rounds. Also, they will be presented with special commemorative gifts.

Photos from Toyota

Also read:

MLIT revokes certification of select Toyota, Daihatsu, Mazda models

Toyota issues recalls on Avanza, Raize, Veloz

Toyota Gazoo Racing drivers finish in top 10 of 2024 Dakar Rally