Toyota continues to transform the GR Yaris from a "hot" hatchback into a true cult object for rally fans. The company has opened applications for two ultra-limited versions – the GR Yaris Morizo RR and the GR Yaris Sébastien Ogier 9x World Champion Edition. And they cannot be bought in the usual way: owners will be selected through a lottery in the GR app.
The circulation of each version is limited to only 100 units for Japan. The results of the draw will be announced on July 1, and the first deliveries will begin in August. At the same time, prices have already gone far beyond a regular hot hatch: the Morizo RR costs about $56,500 (4 million rubles), and the Ogier version is approximately $53,000 (3.75 million rubles).
The main feature of both cars is the deep refinement of the all-wheel drive system. The Sébastien Ogier Edition received special SEB and MORIZO modes, inspired by the settings of WRC rally cars. For example, SEB mode uses a 40:60 torque distribution in favor of the rear axle for more aggressive cornering.
The Morizo RR went even further. The car was created with the participation of Toyota head Akio Toyoda – known under the pseudonym Morizo – after participating in the "24 Hours of Nürburgring." The car received exclusive suspension, re-tuned steering, and a carbon fiber rear wing developed based on Gazoo Racing's racing experience.
It is noteworthy that Toyota is increasingly using motorsport as a basis for production cars. Many modern sports cars become faster due to hybrids and electronics, while the GR Yaris remains a rare example of a compact "mechanical" car with a rally character.
That is why the demand for the model continues to grow. Against the backdrop of increasingly heavy and digital cars, the GR Yaris has become a symbol of the old school – a small, noisy, and maximally engaging sports car for ordinary roads.