Souped-up Yaris teased
Toyota Gazoo Racing has teased a high-performance Yaris light hatchback prototype called the GR-4. While no technical details have been released, a single teaser image shows the rear driver’s side of the vehicle, which looks to feature wider and more muscular haunches, suggesting a wider wheel track for more agile driving.
A badge reading GR Yaris is featured on the tailgate, while camouflage used on it is the same pattern and colour used on the A90 Supra before its official reveal at the start of 2019.
Toyota has yet to announce whether the prototype will preview a rally car or production model. It has tinkered with the Yaris before, revealing the GMRN in March 2017 powered by a 1.8-litre supercharged petrol four-cylinder engine producing 156kW/250Nm for a 0-100kph dash in 6.6 seconds.
The all-new, fourth-generation Yaris was revealed in October. It’s stiffer and has a lower centre of gravity than its predecessor, seemingly making it more appropriate for a performance version. Regular variants will be powered by a 1.5-litre three-cylinder engine, with hybrid versions to be offered with the same engine.
The Japanese marque has promised a raft of new products under its Gazoo Racing performance arm, with the 86 coupe set to receive its own GR variant in the near future.
