When Toyota ran the 209bhp, 1135kg Yaris GRMN up the flagpole at the 2017 Geneva Motor Show, confirming in the process that this limited run model heralded a more concerted effort to inject some dynamism into its hatchback range, the interest of car fans was well and truly piqued. At the 2018 Paris motor show, the new Yaris GR sport marks the next stage in that plan.
Historically, Toyota has had more success with purpose built performance cars than it has with fettled versions of its mainstream hatchbacks, but the Yaris GRMN was a rare highlight and the GR Sport aims to capture some of that flavour while selling in significantly larger quantities than the 600-unit special.
Don’t get too excited, though. While the GRMN features a screaming supercharged 1.8-litre unit, the GR Sport is based on the standard Yaris Hybrid. As such, you get all of 98bhp from its 1.5-litre, electric motor-assisted powertrain. Great for economy, but slightly disappointing in terms of raw performance, with 0-100kph in a relaxing 11.8sec, then on to a 164kph top speed.
Thankfully, the chassis has seen more attention, and that’s not such a bad thing given the GRMN’s entertaining handling. Its Bridgestone Potenza RE50 tyres are the same as those on the GRMN, and tweaks have been made to sharpen up the Yaris’ on-road act. Sachs Performance shocks and a solid anti-roll bar are added, with the GR Sport moved 11mm closer to the road and the wheel-to-wheelarch gap of its 17in black-painted wheels reduced by 18mm.
Inside, there are GR-branded sports seats with white stitching and inserts plus a three-spoke steering wheel that’s smaller than that in the standard Yaris models and lifted directly from the GT86 coupe, just like that of the GRMN.
Running costs are likely to be a big attraction. The regular Yaris Hybrid is capable of up to 3.3L/100KM, though the higher-end Excel models with their 3.6L/100KM figures may be more representative of the GR Sport. Tax too is predictably low, while the standard Hybrid’s group 8E insurance rating is significantly below that of the group 36 GRMN.
Prices have not been announced but they could be the car’s biggest stumbling block, with the standard Yaris Hybrids hovering around the $23,000-$26,000 bracket. Elsewhere, that figure will get you into some truly talented sporty supermini options, including basic versions of the Ford Fiesta ST.
This article originally appeared at evo.co.uk
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