In its short time on the market, Toyota’s very own 3-cylinder pocket rocket has impressed enthusiasts with its driver-focused appeal. Despite producing 198 kW as standard, some Aussies have managed to harness almost 3 times as much from this Tuned GR Yaris.
Straight to this jaw-dropping figure then? Powertune Australia caused a stir by posting images of their tuned GR Yaris on Facebook with a dyno graph showing 552,5 kW which they claim is at the hubs! Nicknamed Rodent by the Sydney-based specialists, the tuned GR Yaris now delivers almost three times as much power from the original figures while retaining most of its internals.
The tuning company has been tinkering with the little motor for over a year and has subjected ‘Rodent’ to over 30 dyno runs without any reliability issues, keeping true to Toyota’s reputation even with some ludicrous modifications!
Speaking of which, this includes the original pistons, crank and conrods. What’s new on the model is a Garrett G30-770 turbocharger and a custom exhaust manifold, an Akrapovič exhaust system and a new intercooler with a stronger head gasket to handle the increased pressures on the 3 pot.
Of course, the standard 6-speed transmission which channels its power to all four corners has been replaced by an X-Shift sequential transmission with an aftermarket clutch – gearboxes and clutches are typically the first components in the drivetrain to be compromised with such a jump in power.
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Looking at the exterior of the car you’ll see gold 5-spoke rims lining the beefy arches and a matte wrap that covers half of the car. Wondering why this diminutive pocket rocket bears the nickname Rodent? Those with a keen eye will notice the Røde Microphones logo subtly placed on the bonnet and that is because this tuned GR Yaris belongs to Peter Freedman, founder and chairman of the company – perhaps we can expect a tasteful audio clip of this 552 kW pocket rocket and its new exhaust system in the near future!
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With 552 kW and a weight of only 1 280 kg, this tuned GR Yaris may be the most extreme pocket rocket out there and is a testament to the capability of Toyota’s G16E-GTS 3-pot motor.
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