Toyota’s 2024 GR Yaris is rumoured to receive some more power, an automatic transmission and updated styling for its mid-life update putting it on par with the larger and heavier GR Corolla.
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Reports from Japanese magazine Best Car suggest that Toyota is actively developing an even hotter version of its already spicy two-door hatchback as part of a mid-cycle refresh. This updated variant of the high-performance subcompact hatchback is expected to be unveiled over the next few months and will boast a more potent engine, along with some styling tweaks compared to the current model which has been around since 2020.
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Two major topics of conversation have emerged from this rumour, the first being that the model will be equipped with an automatic transmission for the first time and the second being uprated power. Production is reportedly scheduled to kick off at the beginning of the next year and the turbocharged 1,6-litre engine will receive some significant tweaks to deliver 224 kW and 370 N.m.
If this materializes, it would give the new GR Yaris a substantial power advantage over the Yaris GRMN, which was unveiled at the start of 2022 as a Japan-only special edition with a limited run of just 500 units. However, the rumoured two-door hatch would still fall short on torque by 20 N.m compared to the full-fledged GRMN, which boasted 390 N.m. Regardless, the 2024 GR Yaris now boasts the same power and torque as the larger GR Corolla which is available in South Africa with 221 kW and 370 N.m.
But that’s not the only change in the pipeline for Toyota. The 2024 GR Yaris is rumoured to feature a newly developed eight-speed automatic transmission. Toyota had already showcased a prototype back in March 2022 at the Toyota Gazoo Racing Rally Challenge. The report mentions that the automatic transmission will be equipped with paddle shifters and a new “lock-up system,” signalling a torque-converter automatic.
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Beyond the powertrain, the new model is said to receive hardware updates to the suspension and brakes, along with an increase in body rigidity. The exterior is expected to see some changes too, including revised bumpers and a larger rear spoiler. Inside the cabin, Toyota plans to update the infotainment screen, taking inspiration from the larger GR Corolla. With an announcement expected before it hits production, we will likely get to see what the new model will look like by the close of the year.
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