Toyota GR Yaris starts under $40K

The Toyota GR Yaris hot hatch will launch in Australia in November with a $39,950 drive-away price for the first 1000 buyers.

That’s almost $10,000 under the $49,500 (plus on-road costs) starting point that Toyota says it would have launched the 200kW all-wheel-drive pocket rocket at without the incentive.

On top of the shock introductory price announced today, Toyota has also confirmed the track-oriented GR Yaris Performance Pack will come to Australia in the first half of 2021.

To be known here as the GR Yaris Rallye, approximately 250 examples have been initially reserved for Australia but no price has been announced.

Toyota Australia had previously ruled out the Performance Pack, which includes a track-tuned suspension, two Torsen limited slip diffs, 18-inch forged BBS wheels and Michelin Pilot Sport 4S tyres.

Toyota opens the order book for the GR Yaris on September 23. Deposits are $1000. The first 50 myToyota members who pre-order online will also be eligible to save 20c per litre off Caltex fuel for 12 months after taking delivery.

Toyota forecasts the offer will be fully subscribed within 12-18 months and says there will be no shortage of availability. The GR Yaris will be sold through all Toyota dealers.

Encouragingly for Toyota, more than 3200 expressions of interest have been received by a GR Yaris microsite since it opened in early August.

Once the deal is exhausted it is expected the GR Yaris will rise in price, but not necessarily all the way to the $49,500 plus ORCs figure quoted today.

carsales tested pre-production versions of the GR Yaris last year in Portugal and detailed the mechanical specifications when they were announced in January.

The launch price places the GR Yaris in the middle ground between the Volkswagen Polo GTI and Ford Fiesta ST it measures up with on size and the larger Honda Civic Type R and Renault Megane RS it is more akin to in performance terms.

The GR Yaris makes 200kW/370Nm from its triple-cylinder turbo-petrol engine and drives via a six-speed manual transmission and purposely-developed GR-FOUR all-wheel-drive system.

It boasts a power-to-weight ratio of 156kW per tonne, a 0-100km/h acceleration time of 5.2 seconds and an electronically limited top speed of 230km/h.

Key GR Yaris tech details include its bespoke underpinning architecture, a unique three-door body made from lightweight materials, multi-link rear suspension and substantial brakes – 356mm discs combined with four-pot callipers up front and 297mm rear discs clamped by two pistons.

The $10,000 discount is being funded by Toyota Australia and in simple terms is a $10 million investment in establishing the model and the GR (Gazoo Racing) brand.

That spend doesn’t include other marketing activities and backing Neal Bates Motorsport’s Australian Rally Championship campaign.

“This substantial local financial commitment for the first 1000 vehicles will advance our budding GR brand, accelerate the acceptance of GR Yaris on Australian roads and convert enthusiast customers into brand advocates,” said Toyota Australia’s vice-president of sales and marketing Sean Hanley.

“It is a smart local investment that will ignite the market with an attainable pure-bred sports car that would otherwise carry a recommended retail price of $49,500.

“Our no-holds-barred strategy will ensure GR Yaris appeals to an even greater number of fans as a genuine sports car that lives up to Toyota’s promise of making ever-better cars that are fun to drive.”

While full specs are to be announced at the model launch in November, Toyota has already confirmed the GR Yaris will come equipped with the Safety Sense package, auto air-conditioning, keyless smart entry and start, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and eight-speaker JBL sound system.

A rear spoiler, sports seats with suede and leather accents, aluminium pedals and dual exhaust tips are also standard.