Toyota have kicked the new year off on the right foot and already won the most grueling race in the world; the Dakar Rally. Their hunger for victory is unsated and their sights for the season have now turned to their Rally1 challenger’ the GR Yaris Rally1 which will tackle the WRC circuit.
If you haven’t already seen it, Toyota has recently released a high(er) performance version of the GR Yaris which includes more aero, less seats and weight reduction bro (because racecar). Now feast your eyes on the most hardcore version than that; the WRC Rally1 challenger that is going to take to the world rally stages in the hopes of defending Toyotas manufacturers title after Sébastien Ogier won his 8th title in the 2021 challenger.
While the GR Yaris that us mere mortals can get our grubby hands on features a pokey 3-cylinder turbocharged motor, the WRC variant will feature one more cylinder and hybrid assistance which will push a maximum maximum power output to 387 kW. Not only will it be able to catapult occupants to 100km/h in less than two seconds and expose them to 1.4G’s of force but they will be 100% sustainable too, using the mandated fuel which is first of its kind in an FIA sanctioned world championship.
While there are visual similarities to our version and the GR Yaris Rally1, the WRC challenger is built around a dedicated spaceframe chassis which offers increased safety. Other mandated regulations this season include less complex aerodynamics which has resulted in a highly modified car that could be passable for street use if it wasn’t for the enormous rear-mounted wing and extravagant liveries.
Frenchman and reigning champion Sébastien Ogier will be the first to start a competitive stage in the new generation of cars when the 2022 season kicks off in Monaco on the 20th of January.
