The new facelift Toyota GR Yaris is now officially in Malaysia, starting from RM315,600 for the 6-speed manual variant. As you all know, the facelift GR Yaris also comes with an automatic variant but only the manual version is available for now.
The engine now makes more power, from 272 hp to 300 hp. Torque has increased also, from 370 Nm to 400 Nm of torque. The bigger news is the newly developed eight-speed automatic gearbox Toyota calls the Gazoo Racing Direct Automatic.
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The new Gazoo Racing Direct Automatic transmission was tested and developed on various road surfaces; from snow-covered roads in Finland, at the Japanese Rally Championship.
The gearbox was also put through the paces in the Toyota Gazoo Racing Rally Challenge with Toyota Chairman Akio Toyoda a.k.a Morizo behind the wheel. The gearbox’s software has been optimised for sporty driving.
In Toyota’s words, “It delicately senses the way the driver steps on the brakes and operates the accelerator and by doing so, it anticipates when gear shifting is necessary even before changes in vehicle behavior occur, realising gear selection that reflects the driver’s intentions.”
Highly heat-resistant friction material for the clutch and enhancements to the transmission’s control software have resulted in world-class gear-shifting speeds, according to Toyota.
The gearbox comes with close-ratio gears as a result of the increased number of gears, from 6-speed in the manual to 8-speed in the automatic. Toyota says it also makes the most of the engine’s power band. The RZ ‘High Performance’ variants will be equipped with a Torsen LSD.
A transmission cooler comes standard on for the 8-speed automatic. Another new addition is the intercooler spray nozzle. Both come as part of the Cooling Package factory option. There is also the optional Circuit Package available globally that removes the top speed limit, and even anti-lag but the Malaysian units do not come with it.
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The geeky stuff continues. Whether it’s the auto or manual, the facelift GR Yaris is fitted with more bolts (from one to three) to keep the shock absorbers to the body. This has improved handling and steering response. There are 13% more spot welding points and 24% more areas with structural adhesive applied for increased body rigidity.
The exterior has received some changes more notably on the front bumper, with separable trims on the side. It’s a motorsport feature whereby damage caused by rocks on the rally stage would not result in high repair costs.
The bumper sides have outlets to effectively extract exhaust heat from the sub-radiator and automatic transmission cooler. As for the rear taillamps, it’s now a single strip, with a more distinguishable futuristic look.
Inside, the centre display and control panel is tilted 15-degrees towards the driver. Special attention was given to the switch positions for easy use to complement both regular and spirited driving.
Toyota says, driving posture has been improved as well. This was achieved by lowering the driving position by 25 mm while adjusting the steering wheel position accordingly.
Compared to the much-slower CVT-equipped GR Yaris RS, the shift lever in the automatic model is 75 mm higher for better driving ergonomics. It also puts the auto shift lever in the same position as the manual.
For those who appreciate the nerdy details, the gear lever’s shift position is similar to a sequential gearbox. To upshift, you pull the lever; to downshift, you push it forward. Toyota purposely made it this way.
Forward visibility has also been improved by moving the rearview mirror to the top of the windshield. It is also a result of lowering the upper edge of the center cluster by 50 mm.
A new “race driver-inspired” 12.3-inch full-color TFT gauge display sits ahead of the driver. The 8-speed automatic models will feature an automatic transmission oil temperature display, gear position display with a visual warning for when downshifting is not possible due to high RPMs.
The facelift GR Yaris has undoubted been taken to another level with this update, whether with design, performance or tech. Question is, would the automatic be as well received as the manual when it finally arrives? Would it open the GR Yaris to a wider crowd?
GALLERY
