This self-shifting variant of the Toyota GR Yaris could be yours over here officially for RM 325,600.
So the hyper hatch that everyone’s been drooling over since forever just got a bit more, well… accessible, as UMW Toyota has recently announced the local arrival of the automatic version of its GR Yaris. This self-shifting variant of the rally-homologated hyper hatch lands in Malaysia just a few months after the updated 6-speed manual version, which made its local debut in the first week of this year.
Officially priced at RM 325,600, the two-pedal GR Yaris commands a RM 10,000 premium over its three-pedal counterpart. And in return for that extra outlay, buyers could expect two additional ratios (eight in total) which can be manually selected via the gear lever’s tiptronic or through the steering-mounted paddle shifters.
For those hoping to convince themselves that an automatic GR Yaris can be just as engaging as the stick-shift version, Toyota claims that the GAZOO Racing Direct Automatic Transmission (DAT) allows drivers to better focus on acceleration, braking, and steering. This could potentially make non-professional drivers quicker on track. Transmission control software has also been enhanced for lightning-fast shifts, with tuning optimised for a more connected driving experience.
The Japanese automaker has also asserted that unlike the automatic gearboxes in the GR Supra and GR86, which rely on sensing vehicle behaviour (like deceleration g-forces and speed), the GR Yaris’ DAT monitors how the driver applies the brakes and throttle. This allows the system to anticipate gear shifts before vehicle behaviour changes, making shifts that reflect the driver’s intentions — and supposedly mimicking the finesse of a professional driver.
Now moving onto the rest of the car — the automatic GR Yaris shares the same updates as the facelifted manual version. That means the already-wild 1.6-litre G16E-GTS turbo triple under the bonnet has been cranked up even further, now producing a staggering 300 PS and 400 Nm of torque — a bump of 39 PS and 40 Nm from before — sent to all four wheels.
With the 8-speed automatic, the GR Yaris sprints from 0–100 km/h in 5.2 seconds, with a top speed of 230 km/h. Interestingly, Toyota claims identical acceleration times for both manual and automatic versions.
Handling-wise, the refreshed GR Yaris now features triple-point mounting for the shock absorbers (up from a single point previously), helping to maintain alignment during hard driving and improving durability. Both front and rear spring rates have also been stiffened, while body rigidity is up thanks to a 13% increase in spot weld points and a 24% expansion in structural adhesive coverage.
Worth highlighting here too is that the official Malaysian-spec GR Yaris further comes with the rather handy Cooling Package as standard (optional in other markets). This brings with it a sub-radiator, cold air intake duct, intercooler spray, and NACA duct on the undercarriage.
As for its exterior aesthetics, the facelifted GR Yaris brings a new front bumper with distinctive air intakes, while the rear sees redesigned LED taillights connected by a full-width light bar. A nerdy detail worth pointing out: the third brake light has been relocated from the roof to the rear combination lamp. This change supposedly improves visibility for following drivers at high speeds — a subtle safety tweak.
Inside, the cabin has been completely overhauled for a more driver-centric (read utilitarian) layout. The new dashboard now houses a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, as seen in the GR Corolla, and an all-new centre stack design (angled 15º toward the driver) adds to the cockpit-like feel.
Finally on the safety front, the facelifted GR Yaris comes equipped with Toyota’s latest 3rd-generation Safety Sense suite. This includes active driver aids like the Pre-Collision System (PCS), Dynamic Radar Cruise Control (DRCC), and Lane Tracing Assist (LTA), among others.
