Toyota PH to Only Offer GR Yaris in Limited Volume, Will Be Cheaper Than Civic Type R, WRX STI

With Toyota Motor Philippines’s official announcement on the arrival of its second GAZOO Racing vehicle, the 2021 GR Yaris, details have now started coming out about their formidable hot hatch, including its local price.

As a refresher, the GR Yaris is basically a homologated version of their World Rally Championship car. It uses a unique platform that combines two of Toyota’s TNGA platforms—the GA-B (used in the European and Japanese market Yaris) and GA-C (used in the Corolla Altis). Moreover, it uses aluminum body panels and a carbon composite roof to further lower its curb weight.

Powering the GR Yaris is the G16E-GTS engine. It’s the world’s most powerful 3-cylinder engine, and also the smallest and lightest 1.6-liter turbo. It packs 261 horsepower at 6,500 rpm and 360 Nm of torque from 3,000 to 4,600 rpm. Those numbers, while not exactly headline grabbing only has to push 1,280 kilograms of weight. The 4.9 kilograms per horsepower enables the lightweight GR Yaris to accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in 5.5 seconds.

Connected to the engine is a 6-speed manual with iMT (no automatic transmission version is available). Designed to match revs, it promotes smoother gear shifting by reducing clutch shock. The gearbox is then connected to the GR-Four all-wheel drive system that uses an electronically-controlled multi-plate clutch that varies power from the Normal mode’s 60/40 front-to-back, to Track’s 50/50, to 30/70 in Sport.

Now that you’ve caught up on what the GR Yaris is, here are the things prospective buyers would like to know.

First up, not all Toyota dealers will offer the GR Yaris. Only the 16 GR Performance dealerships will carry it, and these are:

• Toyota Alabang
• Toyota Commonwealth
• Toyota Makati
• Toyota Manila Bay
• Toyota Otis
• Toyota Pasong Tamo
• Toyota Quezon Avenue
• Toyota Bacoor
• Toyota Batangas
• Toyota Calamba
• Toyota La Union
• Toyota San Fernando
• Toyota San Pablo
• Toyota Cebu
• Toyota Mabolo
• Toyota Davao

Second, while the GR Yaris isn’t a limited edition model, Toyota Motor Philippines wants to avoid the fate of the Honda Civic Type R FK8 (the second batch didn’t sell out, and dealers were now forced to heavily discount remaining stocks). With that, only 150 units over a span of two years will be made available.

Third, the first batch of GR Yaris units is expected to arrive by around July to August of this year, so expect Toyota Motor Philippines to hold its formal launch close to, or at the first round of the Toyota Gazoo Racing Vios Cup just like they did with the GR Supra (assuming it pushes through, of course).

Finally, GR Performance certified Toyota dealerships are now accepting reservations for the GR Yaris. Given the limited number of units available, and the lack of competition (Honda’s not bringing new batches of the Civic Type R anymore, while Subaru has reduced its WRX STI to an indent order basis), it’s best to get in line right now.

How much do you need to pay? The final price tag being floated around is P 2.65 million. Not only is it cheaper than previously thought, but it makes it even more affordable than the Honda Civic Type R and Subaru WRX STI. Unsurprisingly, dealerships are requiring a larger deposit for the GR Yaris compared to conventional Toyota models. A 10 percent deposit based on SRP is required to secure a slot. This means you’ll have to park P 265,000 until July, at the earliest, just to secure a spot in the GR Yaris line.

Source: Car Guides PH