Toyota has come to the Tokyo Auto Salon with a GRMN edition of its Yaris hatchback, which will emerge in a batch of 500 units priced from ¥7,317,000 ($64,300 USD). Shipments will begin in summer.
The GRMN Yaris is smaller, stiffer and more dynamic than its stock counterpart, but surprisingly lacks a power upgrade. Just like the standard GR Yaris, it uses a 1.0-liter three-pot turbo to hit the transmission with 272 PS (268 hp / 200 kW). Rather than fiddle with the engine settings, Toyota bets on reducing its weight, enhancing body rigidity and improving the overall aesthetics to set the hottest hatch apart from its less hot cousins.
Using carbon fiber for the roof, the hood and the rear spoiler has helped shed 20 kilos (45 lbs) of weight in total. The rear bench is no more, and a safety cage sits in its place. The GRMN is around 125 mm (5 inches) lower than the standard car and about as much wider. A six-speed manual gearbox conveys the momentum to the wheels through shortened gear ratios.
Buyers can opt for a package called Circuit, which adds adjustable Bilstein shocks, enlarges the brakes and the wheels (to 18 inches), and puts some additional body kit parts on the car including side skirts and a spoiler.