Toyota has detailed two special edition variants for the GR Yaris hot hatchback which are based on the upcoming facelift and will go on sale in limited numbers later this year.
The two cars, named the GR Yaris RZ “High performance Sébastien Ogier Edition and the GR Yaris RZ “High performance Kalle Rovanperä Edition”, were first revealed at the Tokyo Auto Salon last year.
As their names might suggest, they are special editions of the cars raced by Sébastien Ogier and Kalle Rovanperä, legendary drivers for the brand’s Gazoo Racing world rally team.
They’ll be limited to Japan, where drivers can take part in lotteries to secure a sales spot.
Just 100 of each car were made, and they both come with bespoke designs. While no changes have been made to the 299bhp 1.6-litre turbocharged petrol engine seen in the new GR Yaris, the two cars get four-wheel drive and special world rally-specific drive modes.
In the Ogier Edition, drivers have access to Normal Mode – the same as the Normal drive mode on the RZ High Performance Trim of the standard GR Yaris – plus Mirizo Mode, which improves traction and cornering by applying maximum restraint to the front and rear wheels.
It also gains Seb. Mode, with power distribution that is biased to the rear wheels, which the brand says “provides a sense of oneness with the vehicle” and boosts handling at higher speeds.
The Rovanperä Edition, meanwhile, also gets Normal Mode, but it also features Donut Mode, which improves drifting and doughnut turns by applying maximum direct connection to both the front and rear wheels.
Kalle Mode enables drivers to make full use of an extra rear differential to swing out the rear of the car and helps to pull the front end forward when accelerating out of corners.
As for design changes, the Rovanperä Edition is fitted with the rear wing from the GRMN Yaris, while the Ogier Edition gets a newly developed, lightweight rear spoiler.
Both cars feature decals that celebrate the drivers’ 2023 World Rally Championship victory on the front fenders, plus steering wheel stitching that matches the national flag of each driver’s home country.
Each car also gets a special plaque that pays homage to their WRC victory, seen above the instrument panel.
The two cars were developed at the request of Toyota Chairman and confessed motorsport fan Akio Toyoda.
He said they were made to “express my respect and gratitude to the drivers who hone and grow our cars in rallies, to all the teams that provide us with such opportunities, and to rally organizers and all others involved, as well as to fans”.