When Toyota Chairman Akio Toyoda tackled the 2025 Nürburgring 24 Hours, he did so behind the wheel of an eight-speed automatic Toyota GR Yaris. Racing under his “Morizo” pseudonym, Toyoda was apparently so smitten with the hot-hatch’s performance that he commissioned an even spicier production version, called the GR Yaris Morizo RR.
Before you rush to the nearest GR Garage, we’ve got some bad news: the new variant is only available in the Japanese and European markets. It is limited to 100 units in each region, and purchasing rights are handled via a lottery in Japan. Bummer.
Unveiled at the 2026 Tokyo Auto Salon that begins today, the GR Yaris Morizo RR features a suspension setup that Toyota claims to be honed on the Nürburgring, optimised to help the tyres maintain better contact on highly uneven surfaces. Combined with a recalibrated electric power steering system, Toyota says these tweaks transform the car’s feedback into something much more rewarding to drive.
The goal is to, in Toyota’s own words, “generate an overflow of spontaneous smiles.” We can certainly vouch for that; when we recently reviewed the updated GR Yaris, our own Eu Jin was grinning from ear to ear, finding the new automatic transmission surprisingly capable of winning over even the most die-hard manual fans. You can watch that full review here.
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Toyota did not disclose power outputs for the GR Yaris Morizo RR, which suggests that the 1.6-litre turbocharged three-cylinder engine will retain the same 304 hp and 400 Nm from before. And as the Chairman’s own praise for the hot hatch’s performance at the ‘Ring’ would’ve suggested, it’s only available exclusively with the eight-speed automatic transmission.
The all-wheel-drive setup on the GR Yaris Morizo RR has also been tweaked, with a new “Morizo” mode – developed with input from the man himself – that replaces the “Gravel” mode. This bespoke drive mode sends an equal 50:50 split of the torque and power to the front and rear wheels.
Outside, people will recognise the GR Yaris Morizo RR thanks to its bespoke paint job in Gravel Khaki, which is also Morizo’s favourite, paired to yellow painted brake callipers for added drama. The rear of the hot-hatch is adorned with a gargantuan carbon-fibre rear spoiler that was developed from the car used in the Nürburgring 24 Hours. Other special exterior trimmings include a front spoiler, side skirts, and a carbon-fibre bonnet.
Inside, the driver gets an exclusive suede-wrapped steering wheel, with buttons taken from the hardcore GR Yaris rally car. This steering wheel also features a smaller diameter and modified paddle shifters. Adding to the exclusivity, Toyota has added a serial-numbered plate featuring the “Morizo RR” logo, complemented by matching yellow stitching on the upholstery.
Pricing for the GR Yaris Morizo RR has not been disclosed before its debut in spring 2026, but with all those bespoke bits, it will likely be significantly more expensive than your standard GR Yaris. The arrival of this very spicy hot-hatch comes just after Akio Toyoda teased the world with a “mid-engine two-seater” debut for the 2026 Tokyo Auto Salon—which turned out to be a cheeky “troll” involving two customised Kei trucks rather than the long-rumoured all-new Toyota MR2.
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