Toyota South Africa has finally officially confirmed that the impressive little GR Yaris will be touching down in our country next year.
Under the little hood sits a little 1.6-litre three-cylinder turbo developing 268 hp (200 kW) and 370 Nm of torque allowing it to sprint to 100 km/h in 5.2 seconds.
Only a six-speed manual with rev-matching function is available to suit the sporty number. Drive is via all four wheels with a Torsen limited-slip differential on each axle. There are three drive modes for the driver to choose from: Normal splitting torque 60:40 between the front and rear; Sport (30:70) and Track (50:50).
This hot hatch weighs just 1,280 kg which means it has a better power-to-weight ratio than the likes of the Volkswagen Golf GTI and Hyundai i30N. The pint-sized proportions help with this low weight but the use of aluminium panels for the bonnet, doors and rear hatch, and a carbon-fibre roof certainly help.
Local introduction is currently targeted as mid-2021. Detailed specifications, pricing and model line-up information will be released closer to introduction timing.
We are expecting this model to come in around the R600k mark.
