The Toyota GR Yaris. Not a car that I ever thought I would be testing, because my tuning domain lies solely with European engines. This car however has received nothing but praise from the press and I felt compelled to email Toyota after listening to Robert Mitchell's reviews (Apex Nürburg) and after speaking with Kevan Kemp (Severn Valley Motorsport) about his impression of this car.
For starters it has the most aggressive looking front bumper and intercooler combination that I have ever seen in a factory spec road car! It will be received well among the tuner scene and I have spoken to a number of men aged 40+ who are also fascinated at Toyota's latest feat. This car has sparked interest in people of all ages, but mostly men from private conversations. I can easily see why most girls aren't interested in its bulky physique which probably reminds them of a failed relationship with a bodybuilder or a similarly traumatic event.
Parked on an industrial estate behind Halfords in Lowestoft, I began walking around the car to take it in, in its entirety. I quite fancy the look of this thing, and the guys at SLM Toyota Norwich were nothing but helpful regarding the testing of this car.
They explained the insurance excess would be high in an accident, to which I said ''so I can leng it but I can't murk it yeh?''. This was met with a disgusted and confused look then he left. I was very eager to get the engine warmed and see what the GR Yaris is all about.
They explained the insurance excess would be high in an accident, to which I said ''so I can leng it but I can't murk it yeh?''. This was met with a disgusted and confused look then he left. I was very eager to get the engine warmed and see what the GR Yaris is all about.
My first destination was Gorleston Cliffs where we have an open training area for people who want to do bodyweight exercises. This has been my 'quiet place' for several years and I've done a lot of evening workouts alone and with friends over the years.
I'm wearing my Tesco Two-Stripes so may as well lock the car and have a quick session while I'm here..
'wicks sweat from head and continues the review...'
I'm wearing my Tesco Two-Stripes so may as well lock the car and have a quick session while I'm here..
'wicks sweat from head and continues the review...'
I have to admit.. this car looks hot from every angle! I really love the look of this thing and am looking forward to pushing it through its paces. I try as much as possible to drive without too much braking to get a complete feel of the car when cornering, and on the first drive it feels pretty solid.
I'm also interested in testing the diff 'modes' that are switchable from the drivers seat. It seems as though Toyota have created an all in one package that can be cruised on the road and taken directly on the racetrack without the need for modification.
I'm also interested in testing the diff 'modes' that are switchable from the drivers seat. It seems as though Toyota have created an all in one package that can be cruised on the road and taken directly on the racetrack without the need for modification.
The seating position and area seems very driver focused. Pedals and switches are within good reach which made it easy to jump in and get on with enjoying it. I seriously cannot fault this car so far and despite it feeling very 'stiff' I'm sure it will all make sense when I give it some gas.
I was briefed on how to drive the car and really wasn't able to push it to the absolute limit but my test involved slightly rigorous cornering to see how stable it really is. Lets get on with the review..
I was briefed on how to drive the car and really wasn't able to push it to the absolute limit but my test involved slightly rigorous cornering to see how stable it really is. Lets get on with the review..
The Chassis
Stiff af doesn't begin to describe how this car feels. It is SOLID and has literally no movement at all. In comparison I haven't driven a hatchback this well built since Ford released the Focus RS MK2 some years ago. It feels more 'machine' than car, which made it difficult to find the limit of the chassis on the public road. I was never able to lose traction in this thing, even with TC completely off and smashing 2nd gear onto and off of a roundabout.
'Machine' really is the best description I can give when writing about this car. It is unbelievably tight and Gazoo Racing did so much additional welding to the chassis I reckon it will outlast the engine many times over. It feels 'future proofed' and I hope that explains it to the reader.
Stiff af doesn't begin to describe how this car feels. It is SOLID and has literally no movement at all. In comparison I haven't driven a hatchback this well built since Ford released the Focus RS MK2 some years ago. It feels more 'machine' than car, which made it difficult to find the limit of the chassis on the public road. I was never able to lose traction in this thing, even with TC completely off and smashing 2nd gear onto and off of a roundabout.
'Machine' really is the best description I can give when writing about this car. It is unbelievably tight and Gazoo Racing did so much additional welding to the chassis I reckon it will outlast the engine many times over. It feels 'future proofed' and I hope that explains it to the reader.
The Body
What a sexy little thing this is! I am in love with the look of this car, from its wider arches over the original model, its gaping front bumper that exposes the intercooler, allowing maximal airflow into this wide mouthed design.
Everything about this car says 'yes' to me and I am really giving my honest opinion after seeing this on the Apex Nürburg media pages and also some online images and YouTube reviews. It is absolutely incredible and I am 100% sold on its looks. I am not educated on the aerodynamics so cannot comment on the positives or negatives from this perspective. Either way it looks very well built and attracted looks from people of all ages during my drive.
What a sexy little thing this is! I am in love with the look of this car, from its wider arches over the original model, its gaping front bumper that exposes the intercooler, allowing maximal airflow into this wide mouthed design.
Everything about this car says 'yes' to me and I am really giving my honest opinion after seeing this on the Apex Nürburg media pages and also some online images and YouTube reviews. It is absolutely incredible and I am 100% sold on its looks. I am not educated on the aerodynamics so cannot comment on the positives or negatives from this perspective. Either way it looks very well built and attracted looks from people of all ages during my drive.
The Throttle
What should I say here? I don't want to incriminate myself but this thing is fast. And I mean fast! Coming off of a roundabout in a 30 mph zone and seeing 60 mph on exit makes this thing a licence killer if you're not careful! Boasting 260hp and 360NM in such a tiny car makes it a riot at full throttle.
It really does pick up speed, and where I would like a bit more power from it I cannot complain at the factory power, especially when it has already tackled the Nürburgring circuit in under eight minutes shortly after its release. It is fast, and I suggested selling this car to people over the age of 25 because it is not a simple car. For a spirited driver it will continuously put a massive grin across your face.
What should I say here? I don't want to incriminate myself but this thing is fast. And I mean fast! Coming off of a roundabout in a 30 mph zone and seeing 60 mph on exit makes this thing a licence killer if you're not careful! Boasting 260hp and 360NM in such a tiny car makes it a riot at full throttle.
It really does pick up speed, and where I would like a bit more power from it I cannot complain at the factory power, especially when it has already tackled the Nürburgring circuit in under eight minutes shortly after its release. It is fast, and I suggested selling this car to people over the age of 25 because it is not a simple car. For a spirited driver it will continuously put a massive grin across your face.
The Exhaust
The sound from this car isn't too loud, and I didn't bother doing any exhaust tests. Apparently there is a speaker system inside the car that plays engine noises but I never noticed it. A lot of people have complained when driving on track saying they can't hear the exhaust, but I haven't ever had this issue driving any car on track. Maybe some people need the sound from the car to drive, not sure!
There isn't any great sound to report but overall I still love this little package.
The sound from this car isn't too loud, and I didn't bother doing any exhaust tests. Apparently there is a speaker system inside the car that plays engine noises but I never noticed it. A lot of people have complained when driving on track saying they can't hear the exhaust, but I haven't ever had this issue driving any car on track. Maybe some people need the sound from the car to drive, not sure!
There isn't any great sound to report but overall I still love this little package.
To end this has been a really fun test drive and I enjoyed my driving it around. This is a car that I have thought about, but am not decided on what type of car will suit me best. Leasing has been a good option for me but it hasn't put me off of a second hand car either. I promised to refill the tank and tied that in with a quick shop at Tesco.
There is a modified GR Yaris already set up by Apex Nürburg and I am really looking forward to see how it is on track. I would like to send a big thank you to the entire team at SLM Toyota Norwich for letting me drive it. It has been seriously well built and I think it will be an insane ring tool!
Nicholas Lawrence
email - nick@on-cars.com
There is a modified GR Yaris already set up by Apex Nürburg and I am really looking forward to see how it is on track. I would like to send a big thank you to the entire team at SLM Toyota Norwich for letting me drive it. It has been seriously well built and I think it will be an insane ring tool!
Nicholas Lawrence
email - nick@on-cars.com
