This facelifted GR Yaris brings with it more power, some chassis tweaks and an all-new driver-focused cockpit.
When it first launched in late 2020, the GR Yaris was one of the few automotive bright spots amid the doom and gloom that swept the world that fateful year. And when the big T brought a few units over here, all of their available stock were snapped up before most even had time to get out their cheque books.
So with all the enthusiastic response from back then, it is no surprise that Toyota has since recently also brought along to Malaysia the refreshed version of its rally-homologated pocket rocket, which is now available locally (in what will hopefully be more than very limited quantities) from RM 315,600.
Now starting with the more exciting changes from this facelift first, the already-bonkers 1.6-litre G16E-GTS turbo-triple under the hood of this pocket rocket has had the wick turned up even further, and now it outputs a whopping 300 PS and 400 Nm of torque (+39 PS and +40 Nm from before) to all four of its wheels.
The other big news with this updated GR Yaris meanwhile is for Toyota to have introduced an 8-speed automatic transmission, but this particular gearbox option is unfortunately not to be offered in Malaysia thus far. So right now the only choice available is the six-speed manual (which for those who really want one of these pocket rockets would likely go for anyway…)
Toyota Malaysia nevertheless has rather wisely decided to outfit the refreshed GR Yaris over here with the cooling package, which is optional in some countries. This brings along with it a sub-radiator, cold air intake duct, intercooler spray and NACA duct undercarriage cover.
As for other more nerdy performance enhancements on the other hand, the refreshed GR Yaris has went from a single to triple point fastening shock absorbers to better suppress changes in alignment during hard driving, increasing durability of the vehicle for performance driving. The front and rear spring rates have also been stiffened, with the overall body rigidity further increased through an increase spot weld points by 13% and structural adhesive application area by 24%.
Moving onto the aesthetic changes, Toyota’s designers were let loose to have a bit of fun tweaking the design of the refreshed GR Yaris. The changes start at the front end where there is a new bumper with distinctive air intakes, while found at the rear are different LED taillights that are bridged by a light bar.
A bit of an anorak note here too but compared with the previous version, the third brake light on this refreshed GR Yaris has been relocated to the rear combination lamp. This is supposedly to better keep it within the line of sight of drivers following behind during high-speed driving, a safety measure.
Finally turning towards the cabin, this refreshed GR Yaris netting a completely revamped interior layout in order to make it more driver-focused. Among the major alterations within includes a new dashboard panel housing the same 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster as previously seen on the GR Corolla, with this pint-sized hot hatch essentially also gaining an all-new (almost BMW E30-esque) angled dashboard stack that sees its central infotainment display tilted 15º towards the driver.
And one last note on safety here, the facelifted GR Yaris, like any modern Toyota comes with the automaker’s 3rd-generation Toyota Safety Sense. This hence sees for this hot hatch to feature Pre-Collision system (PCS), Dynamic Radar Cruise Control (DRCC) and Lane Tracing Assist among other active driver aids.
Four colour choices are to be available with this pocket rocket, as Precious Metal joins the existing selection of Platinum White Pearl Mica, Precious Black and Emotional Red.
