2024 Toyota GR Yaris facelift unveiled with automatic transmission and more power, coming to Australia

The Toyota GR Yaris has finally gained the option of an automatic transmission, as part of a facelift that includes more power, new styling and updated technology.

The eight-speed automatic gearbox is a torque-converter design – not a dual-clutch unit, as favoured by Volkswagen – but Toyota has made bold claims about its shift speed and focus on performance.

Production of the 2024 GR Yaris range for Australia is due to commence in late 2024, suggesting first showroom arrivals in early 2025.

The 1.6-litre turbocharged three-cylinder engine has received a power boost to 224kW and 400Nm – up from the previous model's 200kW/370Nm, the GRMN Yaris edition's 200kW/390Nm, and the Japanese-market GR Corolla's 224kW/370Nm.

Toyota says the performance boost is designed to "improve competitiveness in motorsports", and comes from upgraded engine internals, revised exhaust, increased direct injection pressure, a new intake air-pressure sensor, and lightweight pistons.

The six-speed manual transmission remains available, but the eight-speed auto is offered as an option, with the same GR-Four selectable all-wheel-drive system.

Toyota says the eight-speed auto was developed and durability-tested in circuit and rally racing in Japan, and had input from the company's Toyota Gazoo Racing rally drivers.

The company claims the gearbox has been calibrated to function "similar[ly] to how professional drivers shift gears," and uses "highly heat-resistant friction material in the automatic transmission’s gear-shift clutch and enhancements to the transmission’s control software ... [for] world-class gear-shifting speeds."

The transmission is said to "delicately [sense] the way the driver steps on the brakes and operates the accelerator" and anticipate a gear change "before changes in vehicle behaviour occur", improving performance.

Automatic models feature a transmission fluid cooler, while all GR Yaris variants can be ordered in Japan with a Cooling Package, which includes a sub-radiator, cool air intake, and an intercooler water sprayer.

The chassis in all models has been stiffened with additional bolts fastening the suspension to the body, 13 per cent more spot welding points, and 24 per cent more structural adhesive.

There are no changes to the brakes, but the springs have been revised for sharper handling.

Styling has been updated, including a restyled front bumper made from three pieces, rather than one – so the corners of the bumper can be replaced if they are damaged "by flying objects such as rocks during competition in motorsports" without changing the entire piece.

The air intakes are larger for improved cooling, and there are outlets in the sides of the front bumper to exhaust heat from the sub-radiator and automatic gearbox fluid cooler.

Other changes include an "opening at the lower edge of the rear lower garnish [to allow] air from under the floor to escape", and new full-width tail-lights which merge the fog lights into the main lighting units to "avoid damage".

The centre high-mounted brake light has been moved from the rear spoiler to the rear window, to make it easier for tuning companies to fit larger aftermarket rear spoilers.

Inside, the dashboard has been redesigned, with the central control panel tilted towards the driver by 15 degrees – and the key controls integrated into a new plastic surround – for easier reach.

The driving position has been lowered by 25mm, the rear-view mirror has been raised and mounted to the top of the windscreen, and the upper edge of the central control stack has been lowered by 50mm.

The changes are designed to resolve complaints of the original GR Yaris, which was criticised for a high seating position – and a narrow 'letterbox' view out of the windscreen created by a tall touchscreen and a large rear-view mirror.

The automatic shift lever is placed in the same position as the manual shift lever for easier use, and it operates similarly to a sequential shift lever in a race car, where drivers push the stick forward to downshift, and pull back to upshift.

Ahead of the driver is a new 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, with GR-specific graphics – including an automatic-transmission oil temperature readout on relevant models, and a visual alert to warn drivers if the rpm is too high to select the next gear.

"This change reflects requests from drivers who used a prototype vehicle in the Japanese Rally Championship and whose comments included calls for easy-to-understand warnings even during competitions in which helmets are worn," Toyota says.

There also appears to be a new infotainment system with updated software.

The three all-wheel-drive modes in the previous – Normal (60:40 power split front-to-rear), Sport (30:70) and Track (50:50) – have been replaced by Normal (still 60:40), Gravel (53:47), and an updated Track mode with a front-to-rear split that varies from 60:40 to 30:70.

In addition, there are Sport, Normal and Eco modes to vary the steering weight, throttle response, auto-gearbox shift behaviour, air-conditioning intensity, and instrument cluster view.

A 'Circuit Mode' is now available for use on race tracks, which activates an anti-lag system that is claimed to provide "controlled turbo lag reduction to improve acceleration response during re-acceleration."

It also increases the car's speed limiter, "maximises [cooling] fan output to promote the lowering of engine water temperature", and displays a shift light on the dashboard.

The RC variant in Japan – which has been stripped of its luxuries for use in motorsport – can be optioned with a vertical handbrake lever, designed for rally racing.

The 2024 Toyota GR Yaris "Evolved" is due to open for orders in the northern spring of this year in Japan. Australian details are yet to be outlined.

The updated GR Yaris will form the basis of Sébastien Ogier and Kalle Rovanperä special editions named after Toyota's World Rally drivers, due to be unveiled later this month at the Monte Carlo Rally.